Our first impression was that is had some similarities to how Gettysburg National Military Park is set up, though a much smaller version. It has cemetery area, lots of monuments and a driving tour through the property.
We went over to the Visitor's Center, saw a video and learned of Grant's victories at Fort Henry and Fort Donelson before heading toward his next objective at Corinth. He landed his troops at Pittsburgh Landing (Shiloh).
Next our driving tour where we tried to image the flow of the battle and skirmishes.
Shiloh was an critical location for the Union forces to secure in the bid for the important Confederate railroad junction at Corinth, MS 23 miles to the Southwest. The battle at Shiloh was the beginning of a six-month siege at Corinth to take control of the railroad and supply centers.
I had started the book months ago but am currently in the process of finishing Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant - (his autobiography). Very interesting reading. Grant was injured when his horse fell on him during the heavy rains and heat of the battle. The battle at Shiloh (or Pittsburgh Landing) on the Tennessee River was the first major battle won in the Western Theater.
On April 6 and 7, 1862 Union forces (65,000) under U.S. Grant and D.C. Buell were surprised by those of A.S. Johnston and P.G.T. Beauregard (40,000). Combined dead approached 24,000. Hard to fathom what war is like if you've never been in one. Union forces prevailed at Shiloh while the Confederates retreated toward Corinth.
After our driving tour around the battlegrounds, we had lunch under a big shade tree at what was once Pittsburgh Landing.
Inside, it was a collection of good displays and information that told the story of Corinth and its key role in the Civil War.
To the South, it was a vital distribution and supply point at a junction of rail lines going North and South (Ohio and Mobile Railroad) as well as another railroad route going East and West (Memphis and Charleston Railroad).
Confederate General P.G.T. Beauregard again suffered defeat from Union forces, this time under Gen
Henry Halleck. However, he was able to pull off a hoax and escape in the night prior to the arrival of Union forces. He boarded the Ohio and Mobile Railroad along with his soldiers, artillery guns and a large amount of supplies.
It was a great battlefield to see for the first time and I'm glad we took the time to spend some time there. The National Park Service has done a nice job with it. My main take away from this and Vicksburg the better understanding of Gen Grant and how he rose to prominence in the Civil War. That has always been a mystery to me.
Thanks for joining us today on the Roadrunner Chronicles. Until next time...
The Battle of Shiloh is clearly one of most important battles of the war. I recently read "A Blaze of Glory: A Novel of the Battle of Shiloh" by Jeff Shaara, which was excellent. I like Shaara's style of writing... he sees the war through the eyes of the soldiers and generals.
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My hubs is intrigued by the Civil War Era, so we tour quite a few of the battlefields and related other scenes.
ReplyDeleteI do believe the Driving Tour CD we purchased at Vicksburg was the most beneficial in helping me to understand the sheer gruesomeness of a horrible, horrible war. . .
I just cried and cried at Shiloh when I saw the mass graves. . .after reading the depictions of the battle at the Peach Orchard, and how the creeks ran red with the blood of our soldiers, I was just overcome with emotion and still find the magnitude of it all to be gut wrenching.
I never step onto any Battlefield or into any Fort without stopping to contemplate the lives that were irrevocably changed. . .
It's all much more than just a tourist stop, isn't it?
We were in Red Bay in December and January, but hopefully the next time we are there it will be warmer. This is a must experience on our list. Thanks for posting.
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