(MURFREESBORO) A major milestone, the 158th anniversary of the Battle of Stones River will not have interpretive ranger walks or talks at the federal battlefield this year. 

Chief Ranger Jim Lewis told News Radio WGNS . . .

Due to the spread of the coronavirus, Governor Lee has said that all gatherings of more than 10 persons are prohibited, so the staff at Murfreesboro's top tourist attraction had to "think out of the box" this year . . .

The battle began on December 31, 1862 and continue until January 2, 1863. 

This was considered the bloodiest battle of the Civil War. Cannons were fired at the courthouse, churches were destroyed and beautiful homes were seized. Total casualties were 24,645 (12,906 Union soldiers, 11,739 Confederates). That was 31.4 per cent of all of the troops in that war.

And when you compare the number who died in the Civil War with all other battles in which the United States participated through the Vietnam War the totals were similar (Civil War total fatalities: 620,000; American soldiers killed in all other conflicts: 644,000). 

CLICK HERE to visit the Stones River National Battlefield's FaceBook page.