Cave / Karst Systems

Union soldiers took cover behind these limestone outcroppings, using the rocks for shelter as confederates attacked.

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An old well in the park that pulled water from underground karst systems.

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Intertwined History

By studying the rocks and landforms at Stones River, we learn about Earth's history and human history. The limestone tells us about ancient seas that once covered Tennessee, while the battlefield shows us how the land influences one of the Civil War's toughest fights. Together, they remind us that human history and natural history are always connected.

Battling on Rugged Terrain

During the battle at Stones River, the landscape and topography played a role in how soldiers moved and fought. Rocky, uneven terrain made marching and moving cannons difficult. Limestone outcroppings provided cover for troops in certain areas, such as the Slaughter Pen. The rugged land shaped the strategies of both Union and Confederate forces. The karst landscape was part of the battlefield.

 

A hole in limestone rock, carved out by rainwater.

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A Karst Landscape

When you walk through Stones River National Battlefield, you may notice rocky outcrops, sinkholes, and uneven ground. These features are part of a karst landscape, which forms when water slowly dissolves limestone rock over thousands of years. Even though the park does not have caves for visitors to explore, the land itself tells the story of how water and rock shape the environment throughout history.

How Karst Forms

Limestone is a soft rock that formed over 300 million years ago. When rainwater mixes with carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, it becomes slightly acidic. Over time, this acidic water seeps into cracks in the limestone, slowly dissolving the rock and carving out passages. This process creates sinkholes, springs, and underground caves, resulting in a landscape full of rocky outcroppings, dips, and ridges. This is karst topography.

Learn more about karst.