Stones River National Battlefield Community

In this interview, John Charles Batey III talks about his understanding of the history of Murfreesboro in this interview. He relates stories of his family's involvement in the Civil War as well as the history of the community during that time. In addition, he talks about his genealogy dating back to the early seventeenth century. He also talks about how the area has changed since his childhood.

In this interview John L. Batey, Jr. talks about farming in Murfreesboro and the stories he has heard about the Yankees coming into the Murfreesboro area. He says that even as late as the nineteen fifties his father found Civil War artifacts like bayonets on the battlefield. He also talks about changes in the Murfreesboro area during his lifetime. The area has become more urbanized and populated with fewer farms according to Batey. Similarly, he talks about changes to the Stones River battlefield, but his memory of it as a child is selective.

In this interview, Clay M. Chandler talks about life during the Great Depression as a young boy. He also talks about his schooling and his doctoral degree in zoology and teaching biology at MTSU. Chandler relates stories about his family's involvement in the Civil War and about his general genealogy. In addition, he talks about stories he has been told about the battle at Murfreesboro and the urbanization of the area.

In this interview, Willian F. Ketron participated in the Stones River Project in 1999. He spoke about his experiences as a member of the Murfreesboro community. Ketron volunteered at Stones River National Battlefield as a boyscout and speaks briefly about the changes to and expansion of the area surrounding the battlefield. In addition, he comments on the history of the Murfreesboro community, particularly in the nineteen twenties and nineteen thirties.

Myrtle Lord speaks about her life in Murfreesboro as a student and grade school teacher at Bradley Academy. She also talks about her experiences as a group leader for different children't activities, such as tap dancing and girl scouts. In addition, Lord speaks about the urbanization and integration of Murfreesboro and what both have meant for her living in the area.

In this interview, J.H. Mullins spoke about his memory of the Stones River National Battlefield and the changes that have occurred in Murfreesboro during his lifetime. In particular, Mr. Mullins focused on the stories of the Civil War era that his friends and family had told to him as a young boy. He also talked about the artifacts he found on the battlefield and what they meant to him.

In this interview, Juanita Powell talks about her memories of playing in the Stones River National Battlefield Park and how it has changed since then. She also talks about her family members who worked with the park services and attended Memorial Day services in the area. Powell talks briefly about the deaths in her family that caused her to move around a lot and see more of the area as a result.

In this interview, Doyle Sadler talks extensively about his family genealogy and their participation in the Civil War. Mr. Sadler also talks about his hobbies and his various jobs as a plumber, and electrician, a preacher, and a farmer. Sadler enjoys teaching children about the ways of "primitive life," such as meat-curing and soap-making. He says that he doesn't remember much about the changes to the Stones River Battlefield area or about special celebrations, like Memorial Day, beyond vague recollections of flads in honor of the dead and other such occurrences. He also discusses the Rutherford County landscape.

In this interview Donald E. Tarter speaks about the History of Murfreesboro and his relationship with the Stones River National Battlefield. He speaks extensively about the Tarter family history and their expeditions to the Stones River Park. He also comments on changes to the area that he has noticed over the last couple of decades, including a developed infrastructure and increased tourism.

In this interview, Robert Earl Walden talks about his early life in the United States Marine Corps. He traveled around the world and came back to Murfreesboro in the nineteen fifties. Walden is a part of the Rutherford Country Historical Society and the VFW. In addition, he talks about Civil War battles in the area and his family genealogy. His family would travel to Murfreesboro only occasionally after the nineteen fifties, but he has noticed considerable urbanization.