Stones River National Battlefield Community, 1999
A Guide to the Collection of Oral History Interviews at Indiana University
Bloomington
Finding aid prepared by the staff of the Center for
the Study of History and Memory with a grant from the National Endowment for the
Humanities Division of Preservation and Access, 2000-2002
Overview of the Collection
Repository
Indiana University Center for Documentary Research and Practice
Indiana University
Franklin Hall 0030B
601 E. Kirkwood Avenue
Bloomington, IN 47405
Phone: 812/855-2856
Fax: 812/855-0002
E-mail: ohrc@indiana.edu
https://cdrp.mediaschool.indiana.edu
Creator
Indiana University Center for the
Study of History and Memory
TitleStones River National Battlefield Community, 1999
Project No.
ohrc096
Interviews
10 interviews. Audiotapes, transcripts, and collateral
materials.
Physical Location
Interviews are housed in Franklin Hall, Room 0030B. Copies of interview transcripts are also held by the IU Libraries University
Archives.
Contact archives@indiana.edu for more information. For other locations housing the interviews
from this project, please contact the Center for Documentary Research and Practice office.
Language
Materials are in English
Abstract
These interviews were conducted in order to reconstruct the history of the Stones River National Battlefield and the surrounding
Murfreesboro area.
Scope and Content Note
In this project, ten interviews were conducted during the summer of 1999. Miranda Fraley conducted the interviews and primarily
focused on what these interviewees could remember about community life, the development of Rutherford County and their own
family history inrelation to the Civil War. Fraley also asked the interviewees if they had any experience volunteering at
the battlefield or attending any of the special services held in the Stones River Battlefield or Cemetery area. Interviews
consist of audio cassettes and typed transcripts.
Administrative Information
Acquisition Information
Oral history interviews conducted by the Indiana University Center for the
Study of History and Memory from 1968 to the present, with particular focus on the
history of twentieth-century America and the Midwest.
Usage Restrictions
The archive of the Center for Documentary Research and Practice at Indiana University is open
to the use of researchers. Copies of transcript pages are available only when such copies
are permitted by the deed of gift. Scholars must honor any
restrictions the interviewee placed on the use of the interview. Since some of our earlier
(pre-computer) transcripts do not exist in final form, any editing marks in a transcript
(deletions, additions, corrections) are to be quoted as marked. Audio files may not be copied for
patrons unless the deed of gift permits it, and a transcript is unavailable for that
interview. The same rules of use that apply to a transcript apply to the audio interview.
Interviews may not be reproduced in full for any public use, but excerpted quotes may be
used as long as researchers fully cite the data in their research, including accession
number, interview date, interviewee's and interviewer's name, and page(s).
Preferred Citation
[interviewee first name last name] interview, by [interviewer first name last
name], [interview date(s)], [call number], [project name], Center for Documentary Research and Practice, Indiana University,
Bloomington, [page number(s) or tape
number and side if no transcript; if digital audio and no transcript, cite time when quote occurs].
Interview List
Interviewee
Batey, John Charles, III
July 10,
1999
Call Number
99-080
Physical Description
24 pages; 1 cassette, 1 7/8 ips; index
Interviewer
Fraley, Miranda
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
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.
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Keywords
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Corporation Names
- Stones River National Battlefield
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Occupation Names
- systems analyst
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Place Names
- Blackman, Tennessee
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-
Subjects
- Blackman community
- Hazen Monument
- Murfreesboro development
- Redoubt Brannan
- United Sates Civil War stories
Interviewee
Batey, John L., Jr.
July 10,
1999
Call Number
99-079
Physical Description
17 pages; 1 cassette, 1 7/8 ips; index
Interviewer
Fraley, Miranda
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
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.
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Keywords
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Corporation Names
- Stones River National Battlefield
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-
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Place Names
- Blackman, Tennessee
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Subjects
- Blackman community
- community life
- United States Civil War stories
Interviewee
Chandler, Clay M.
July 16,
1999
Call Number
99-081
Physical Description
23 pages; 1 cassette, 1 7/8 ips; index
Interviewer
Fraley, Miranda
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
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.
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Keywords
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Corporation Names
- Sons of Confederate Veterans
- Stones River National Battlefield
- Stones River National Cemetery
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Place Names
- Murfreesboro, Tennessee
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Subjects
- Great Depression
- Memorial Day services
Interviewee
Ketron, William F.
June 22,
1999
Call Number
99-076
Physical Description
13 pages; 1 cassette, 1 7/8 ips; index
Interviewer
Fraley, Miranda
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
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.
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Keywords
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Corporation Names
- Blanton House
- Boy Scouts
- Stones River National Battlefield
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Family Names
- Blanton
- Ketron
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Occupation Names
- convenience store owner
- insurance agent
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Personal Names
- Pittard, Homer
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Place Names
- Murfreesboro, Tennessee
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Subjects
- family life
- local history
Interviewee
Lord, Myrtle G.
July 20,
1999
Call Number
99-82
Physical Description
19 pages; 1 cassette, 1 7/8/ ips; index
Interviewer
Fraley, Miranda
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
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.
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Keywords
-
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Corporation Names
- Bradley Academy
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Family Names
- Glanton
- Lord
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Place Names
- Murfreesboro, Tennessee
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Subjects
- community life
- education
- integration
- Murfreesboro history
- teaching
Interviewee
Mullins, J.H.
July 28, 1999
Call Number
99-077
Physical Description
20 pages; 1 cassette, 1 7/8 ips; index
Interviewer
Fraley, Miranda
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
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.
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Keywords
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Corporation Names
- Mullins Jewelry
- Stones River National Battlefield
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Personal Names
- Forrest, Nathan Bedford
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Place Names
- Murfreesboro, Tennessee
- Rutherford County, Tennessee
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Subjects
- community development
- Great Depression
- United States Civil War stories
Interviewee
Powell, Juanita
July 3,
1999
Call Number
99-078
Physical Description
21 pages; 1 cassette, 1 7/8 ips; index
Interviewer
Fraley, Miranda
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
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.
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Keywords
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Corporation Names
- Stones River National Cemetery
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Occupation Names
- accountant
- banker
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Personal Names
- Powell, Wayne
- Tarter, Melroe
- Thompson, Lytle
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Place Names
- Murfreesboro, Tennessee
- Stones River, Tennessee
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Subjects
- community development
- Hazen Monument
- Redoubt Brannan
Interviewee
Sadler, Doyle
July 31,
1999
Call Number
99-083
Physical Description
21 pages; 2 cassettes, 1 7/8 ips; index
Interviewer
Fraley, Miranda
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
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.
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Keywords
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Corporation Names
- Stones River National Battlefield
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Family Names
- Sadler
- Sissom
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Occupation Names
- electrician
- farmer
- plumber
- preacher
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Personal Names
- Cooper, Thomas
- Duncan, Peter Benson
- Sisson, Loretta June
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Place Names
- Murfreesboro, Tennessee
- Rutherford County, Tennessee
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Subjects
- church life
- genealogy
- hobbies
- rural life
- United States Civil War stories
Interviewee
Tarter, Donald E.
July 18,
1999
Call Number
99-075
Physical Description
21 pages; 1 cassette, 1 7/8 ips; index
Interviewer
Fraley, Miranda
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
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.
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Keywords
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Corporation Names
- Stones River National Battlefield
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Family Names
- Jacobs
- Tarter
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Occupation Names
- professor
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Personal Names
- Jacobs, Billy
- Patton, George S.
- Rommel, Erwin
- Tarter, Glen
- Tarter, Lessie
- Tarter, Melroe
- Tarter, Rubie Jacobs
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Place Names
- Murfreesboro, Tennessee
- Redoubt Brannan
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Subjects
- childhood
- community changes
- family history
- local history
Interviewee
Walden, Robert Earl
August 9,
1999
Call Number
99-084
Physical Description
18 pages; 2 cassettes, 1 7/8 ips; index
Interviewer
Fraley, Miranda
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
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.
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Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Stones River National Battlefield
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-
Place Names
- Murfreesboro, Tennessee
- Rutherford County, Tennessee
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Subjects
- community life
- United States Civil War stories