MURFREESBORO, Tenn (WTVF) — The ongoing government shutdown has forced the closure of Stones River National Battlefield in Murfreesboro, leaving the historic Civil War site without staff supervision and cutting off educational programs for visitors.

The battlefield, where more than 24,000 lives were lost during a pivotal three-day Civil War battle, now sits largely unattended as the shutdown enters its fourth week. While the grounds remain accessible to the public, visitors find no rangers, closed restrooms, and suspended maintenance services.

"For one, there's no employees on the park. So nobody is there supervising what's going on," said Tom Zei, president of the nonprofit Friends of Stones River National Battlefield.

The closure has particularly impacted the visitor center, which ser

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