Did you know the Stones River National Battlefield Park is celebrating 80 years as a national park this month? Let’s go back to 1932, when the Stones River National Battlefield Park was dedicated with a grand ceremony. Speakers paid high tribute to fallen heroes on both sides, and there were flag-raisings. Principle speakers included Congressman Ewin Davis and General Frank Cheatham.
(Much of this information comes from the July 16, 1932, edition of The Daily News Journal; thanks to Jim Lewis, programs manager with the Stones River National Battlefield, for the photos.)
With the summer sun filtering through the branches of giant trees and casting shadows upon the snow-white tombstones of some 6,000 soldiers of the North, speakers of a united country paid highest tribute to both the North and the South in the formal dedication of the new Stones River Military National Park in Murfreesboro on the Old Nashville Pike.
The setting was ideal for the ceremony as a cool breeze partly offset the hot temperature. The ceremony itself took place in the rostrum in the center of the cemetery. Approximately 1,000 people sat under the shade of the beautiful trees. The rostrum was brightly decorated, the colors of the Confederacy and the colors of the Union being entwined.
Boy Scouts and members of the National Guard and 117th Infantry Band conducted a flag-raising over the park. Immediately after the band played “The Star-Spangled Banner” and the last echo of the anthem had died away, the official dedication was over and Stones River National Park had passed from the hands of Capt. H.J. Connor, who served as park director for two years, to Maj. Gen. Edward L. King, commander of the Fourth Corps area of Atlanta. It was a stirring moment as the throng stood with uncovered heads and heard the band as it fittingly brought the colorful exercise to a close.
The exercises also included a special concert by the band and a dedicatory prayer presented by Bishop Thomas F. Gailor of Memphis.
Bishop Thomas F. Gailor and General B. Frank Cheatham
One of the featured speakers of the day, Gen. B. Frank Cheatham, a native of Tennessee and an authority on Civil War history, spoke on the part that Tennessee has played in the wars of our country.
“Tennessee soldiers need no word of praise for me; there are no better fighting men anywhere than Tennesseans,” he said. Cheatham then read a specially prepared article by the war department historian which described in detail the bloody battle which took place on the spot where the dedicatory services were held.
Maj. Gen. King, a union soldier’s son, spoke at the event.
“We have come together for a common cause to pay tribute to both sides,” said Maj. Gen. King, who assumed direction of the park in 1932. “And it is fitting today that we consider this problem of war from the serious angle and be prepared so that there will be fewer of these graveyards in the future. As a nation, we are altruistic but we must be prepared at all times.”
Capt. Connor followed King to the speakers’ stand, where he briefly outlined the work he has done at the park and expressed his appreciation for the many courtesies extended him while a citizen of Murfreesboro.
Later in the afternoon a telegram arrived from Gen. John L. DeWitt, the quartermaster general, who expressed regret at his inability to attend. A similar message was received from Secretary of War Patrick J. Hurley.
The second featured speaker of the day was congressman Ewin L. Davis, who was key in getting the federal appropriations for the establishment of the park. Davis gave a lengthy address in which he detailed the history of the legislation necessary in order to make the park a reality.
Congressman Ewin L. Davis and Major General Ed P. King
He told of taking the matter directly to President Coolidge and getting his approval of the matter after he had learned that the secretary of war had declared himself to be against the park establishment. He reviewed other interesting facts concerning the park plans and, frequently during his talk, he was interrupted by applause.
He predicted that all of the states whose soldiers took part in the historic battle would, in the ensuing years, erect suitable monuments to the memory of these brave men who gave their all fighting for the cause they believed to be right.
