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SHILOH National Military Park, Tennessee
SHILOH National Military Park, Tennessee
by Albert Dillahunty NATIONAL PARK SERVICE HISTORICAL HANDBOOK SERIES NO. 10 WASHINGTON 25, D. C. 1955 The National Park System, of which Shiloh National Military Park is a unit, is dedicated to conserving the scenic, scientific, and historic heritage of the United States for the benefit and enjoyment of its people. Shiloh Church, painted by Capt. A. M. Connett, 24th Indiana Volunteer Infantry, a participant in the battle. SHILOH NATIONAL MILITARY PARK preserves the scene of the first great batt
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Preliminary Campaign
Preliminary Campaign
War activity west of the Appalachian Mountains in 1861 was confined chiefly to the States of Kentucky and Missouri. Toward the end of the year when loyalty, or at least the neutrality, of the governments of these border States seemed assured, the Federals began making plans for the invasion of the South by way of the western rivers and railroads. Each side began to maneuver for strategic positions. The Confederate General, Leonidas Polk, believing that the Southern States were about to be invade
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The First Day
The First Day
The battle began about 4:55 a. m., Sunday, April 6, when a reconnoitering party of Prentiss’ Union division encountered Hardee’s skirmish line, under Maj. Aaron B. Hardcastle, a short distance in front of Sherman’s camps. The reconnoitering party—three companies of the 25th Missouri under Maj. James E. Powell—fighting and retreating slowly toward its camps was reinforced by four companies of the 16th Wisconsin and five companies of the 21st Missouri. These troops were, in turn, reinforced at the
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The Second Day
The Second Day
Monday morning, April 7, at daylight, the vanquished of the previous day renewed the struggle with increased strength and restored confidence. Anxious to take the initiative, the Union armies were put in motion almost simultaneously, with Buell on the left, Lew Wallace on the extreme right, and Grant’s weary troops occupying the space between. The movement began unopposed, except by small unsupported parties which were quickly forced to retreat. The Confederates had been unable to reorganize the
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“Present” and “Casualties” at Shiloh
“Present” and “Casualties” at Shiloh
During the first few weeks following the battle, both sides claimed a victory. The Confederates based their claim upon the facts that they had inflicted an almost complete rout on the Federals on Sunday, April 6, and that they had been able to hold a part of the field until they withdrew in good order on Monday. Furthermore, they said, the Union armies were so battered that they were unable to pursue. Shiloh National Cemetery. Bloody Pond. CONFEDERATE PLAN OF BATTLE Johnston expected to push rap
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1. IOWA STATE MONUMENT.
1. IOWA STATE MONUMENT.
This 75-foot monument, designed by E. F. Triebel, was erected by the State of Iowa in 1906. Surmounting the main shaft are a bronze capital, globe, and an eagle with a wingspread of 15 feet. Ascending the steps at the base of the monument is a bronze statue, symbolic of “Fame,” inscribing a tribute to the Iowa soldiers who fought in the battle. In addition to this monument, Iowa has 11 regimental monuments on the field. SHILOH NATIONAL MILITARY PARK TENNESSEE The pyramid of cannon balls north of
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2. MICHIGAN STATE MONUMENT.
2. MICHIGAN STATE MONUMENT.
Twenty-one States were represented in the Battle of Shiloh. Only 12 of those States have monuments on the battlefield. In 1918, the State of Michigan erected this memorial to her three regiments of infantry and one battery of artillery which participated in the battle. The crowning figure on the monument faces toward Corinth, Miss., the objective point of the campaign....
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3. CONFEDERATE MONUMENT.
3. CONFEDERATE MONUMENT.
This monument, designed and sculptured by Frederick C. Hibbard, was erected in 1917 by the United Daughters of the Confederacy in memory of all Southern troops who fought in the battle. In the center of the massive pedestal is carved the bust of Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston, the Confederate commander who was killed during the afternoon of the first day. At the extreme right, the figure in front represents the Confederate infantryman who has snatched up his flag in defiance of the Northern Army. T
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4. RUGGLES’ BATTERIES.
4. RUGGLES’ BATTERIES.
The line of guns on the left represents Ruggles’ Confederate concentration of 62 cannon. This was the longest line of artillery ever formed in an American battle up to that time. Aided by these cannon, the Confederates succeeded in driving back the Union flanks and in capturing over 2,200 troops near the center of the Hornets’ Nest....
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5. CONFEDERATE BURIAL TRENCH.
5. CONFEDERATE BURIAL TRENCH.
All of the Confederate dead are buried on the battlefield in five large trenches. In this, the largest, there are, reportedly, 721 bodies, stacked seven deep. New Shiloh Church, stands on the site of the original church. The day after the battle, General Beauregard dispatched a message to General Grant asking for permission to send a mounted party to the battlefield to bury his dead. In answer, Grant said: “Owing to the warmth of the weather I deemed it advisable to have all the dead of both par
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6. ILLINOIS STATE MONUMENT.
6. ILLINOIS STATE MONUMENT.
This monument, sculptured by Richard W. Bock, was dedicated in 1904 to all Illinois troops who participated in the battle of Shiloh. The crowning figure, designed to represent the State of Illinois, holds a book in her left hand containing a record of her sons’ achievements on this field. In her right hand is a sheathed sword. The scabbard is held with a firm grasp as if in readiness for release of the blade and a renewal of the battle should the occasion arise. Her gaze is bent watchfully towar
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7. SHILOH CHURCH SITE.
7. SHILOH CHURCH SITE.
The original “Shiloh Meeting House”—a one-room log structure with rude handmade furnishings—was built by the Southern Methodists about 1853, 9 years after the church had split over the slavery issue. When the Union Army moved upon the field, General Sherman encamped his division along the ridge on either side of the church. It was along this same ridge that he formed his first line of battle on the morning of April 6, 1862, and where he was first attacked by the Confederates. He succeeded in hol
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8. FRALEY FIELD.
8. FRALEY FIELD.
About 3 a. m. on Sunday, April 6, a reconnoitering party was sent out from Prentiss’ division to explore a small wagon trail to the front. The party, under Major Powell, advanced past Seay Field, crossed the main Corinth Road, and encountered the Confederate cavalry videttes at the corner of Wood and Fraley Fields at 4:55 a. m. There followed an engagement with the pickets, commanded by Major Hardcastle, from Wood’s brigade of Hardee’s corps. About 6:30 a. m., the Confederate advance began. The
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9. PUTNAM STUMP.
9. PUTNAM STUMP.
Pvt. John D. Putnam, Company F, 14th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, was killed on Monday, April 7, during a charge against a Confederate battery. He was buried where he fell, at the foot of a young oak tree. Thomas Stone, one of the burying party, suggested that his name be carved into the tree sufficiently low so that in case the tree were cut down the name would remain. When the national cemetery was established, Putnam’s body was removed to it. Because of the precautions of his comrades in 186
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10. HORNETS’ NEST AND SUNKEN ROAD.
10. HORNETS’ NEST AND SUNKEN ROAD.
The Confederate soldiers named this area “Hornets’ Nest” because of the stinging shot and shell they had to face here. Parts of three Federal divisions were intrenched in this old sunken road, protected by a heavy rail fence and dense undergrowth. General Ruggles, after having witnessed 11 unsuccessful attacks against the position, formed a line of artillery consisting of 62 pieces and concentrated its fire upon the Federal line. With the aid of these cannon, the Confederates were able to form a
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11. JOHNSTON’S MONUMENT.
11. JOHNSTON’S MONUMENT.
On the afternoon of April 6, General Johnston ordered his reserves to go into action and advance on the right flank in an attempt to drive a wedge between the Federal troops and their base of supplies at Pittsburg Landing. He also hoped to make it impossible for reinforcements to come to Grant’s assistance from across the river. While personally directing his reserves, he was struck in the right leg by a Minié ball which cut the large artery. Johnston’s Mortuary Monument. At the time General Joh
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12. PEACH ORCHARD.
12. PEACH ORCHARD.
At the time of the battle, the Peach Orchard was in full bloom. It was here that some of the hardest fighting of the first day took place. While the fighting raged across the orchard, bullets were cutting the blossoms from the trees so thick and fast that the air appeared to be filled with falling snow....
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13. WAR CABIN.
13. WAR CABIN.
This cabin formerly stood in Perry Field on the Federal right and in the immediate front of the last Union line established on Sunday afternoon, the first day of the battle. The battle-scarred logs reveal that it stood in the midst of heavy fighting. Of the many cabins on the field at the time of the battle, this is the only survivor. The cabin was moved to the present location, a few weeks after the battle, to replace one that was burned during the engagement....
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14. BLOODY POND.
14. BLOODY POND.
This shallow pool of water was in the path of the retreating Federal Army as it was pushed back toward the river on Sunday. Being the only water in the immediate vicinity, the wounded from both sides crawled here to quench their thirst and bathe their wounds. So many bled in and around the pond that the water is said to have become stained the color of blood....
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15. INDIAN MOUNDS.
15. INDIAN MOUNDS.
There are about 30 mounds in this area, 7 of which are large, ranging in height from 5 to 15 feet. With one exception, all are flat-topped platform mounds. The one having a different form is an oval-shaped burial mound. The mounds were excavated in 1934 under the direction of the Smithsonian Institution. Quantities of broken pottery, bone implements, stone tools, and weapons were removed. Twelve skeletons were found in the oval burial mound. The effigy pipe, now on display at park headquarters,
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16. OVERLOOK.
16. OVERLOOK.
This 100-foot bluff affords the best view of the Tennessee River and the adjoining country. From this point one can see the east bank of the river where the advance of General Buell’s army, following its march from Savannah, Tenn., embarked to cross to the battlefield late Sunday afternoon. War cabin. Red stone effigy pipe found in one of the burial mounds. Down the river, to the north, one can see Savannah where General Grant had his headquarters. On clear days, Pickwick Dam may be seen up the
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17. PITTSBURG LANDING.
17. PITTSBURG LANDING.
Even before the Battle of Shiloh, this was an important landing. Merchants of Corinth, Purdy, and the adjacent country received most of their merchandise from boats which tied up at this point. When the boats went back downstream, they were laden with passengers, cotton, and produce which had been transported to the Landing over the roads which converged here. When the Union armies began preparations for the move against Corinth, Pittsburg Landing was selected as the concentration point because
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National Cemetery
National Cemetery
Shiloh National Cemetery was established in 1866 and embraces an area of 10.2 acres. In the cemetery are interred 3,695 bodies, two-thirds of whom are unidentified. Besides the Union soldiers killed in the Battle of Shiloh, the cemetery holds many of the dead from nearby battlefields. In addition, a number of those who served in the Spanish-American War, both World Wars, and one from the Revolutionary War are buried here. Only two Confederates are buried in the cemetery. Both died while being he
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How to Reach the Park
How to Reach the Park
Shiloh National Military Park is situated on the west bank of the Tennessee River at the intersection of State Highways Nos. 22 and 142. It is 13 miles east of U.S. No. 45, and 5 miles south of U.S. No. 64. Graves of six Wisconsin color bearers, overlooking Tennessee River. In Shiloh National Cemetery....
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Administration
Administration
Shiloh National Military Park is administered by the National Park Service of the United States Department of the Interior. A superintendent, whose address is Pittsburg Landing, Tenn., is in immediate charge....
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The Park and Related Areas
The Park and Related Areas
Shiloh National Military Park, containing about 3,730 acres of Federal land, was established by act of Congress in 1894. At the time of its establishment only Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. Ga.-Tenn., had been dedicated in memory of the western campaigns of the War Between the States. In subsequent years other national military parks dealing with the Civil War in the West have been established. Those most closely related to Shiloh are Vicksburg National Military Park, Miss.,
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Visitor Facilities
Visitor Facilities
An exhibit room and library are located in the administration building, situated near Pittsburg Landing. They may be visited by the public every day from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Here are to be found interesting relics, books, and maps relating to the Battle of Shiloh and the Civil War. Free literature concerning this area may also be secured at park headquarters. Orientation and historical talks are given daily by members of the park staff. Free guide service is usually available. Special service is
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THE DRUMMER BOY OF SHILOH
THE DRUMMER BOY OF SHILOH
“Look down upon the battlefield, Oh Thou, Our Heavenly Friend, Have mercy on our sinful souls.” The soldiers cried, “Amen.” There gathered ’round a little group, Each brave man knelt and cried. They listened to the drummer boy, Who prayed before he died. “Oh, Mother,” said the dying boy, “Look down from heaven on me. Receive me to thy fond embrace, Oh, take me home to thee. I’ve loved my country as my God. To serve them both I’ve tried!” He smiled, shook hands—death seized the boy, Who prayed be
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FOUR VOICES FROM SHILOH[2]
FOUR VOICES FROM SHILOH[2]
Stern Johnston came in April from the South To spread the Shiloh fields with threatening Gray! Hard Sherman set his unrelenting mouth, And Grant knew not the season or the day, Though spring had come! A turmoil held the Land In vast confusion, out of which these three Came on, with purpose clear, with sword in hand, To meet on Shiloh Field their destiny! Where their lines struck live now but squirrel and bird! Calm April has her way with flower and tree,— But there are lasting voices to be heard
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NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Historical Handbook Series
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Historical Handbook Series
“Johnny Shiloh” or “The Drummer Boy of Shiloh.” John Clem {1851-1937}, 10 years old at Shiloh, later served at Chattanooga and is sometimes called “The Drummer Boy of Chickamauga.”...
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