Shiloh National Military Park, TennesseeDillahunty, Albert
History
Shiloh National Military Park, Tennessee
Dillahunty, Albert
Shiloh National Military Park (Tenn. and Miss.); Shiloh, Battle of, Tenn., 1862
The Confederates and Federals were buried alike in separate trenches on
the field. Four years after the battle the Union dead were removed to
the newly established national cemetery. The Confederates still rest in
the trenches where they were buried by the Federal troops.
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 toward enemy territory to the south.
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 holding the ridge for about 2 hours before he was forced to
withdraw.
As soon as Sherman withdrew, General Beauregard established his
headquarters at the church. He held the position until the Confederates
began their retreat on the second day.
The church was reportedly torn down by the Union troops and the logs
used to build bridges when the movement upon Corinth began.
The present structure, completed in 1949, stands on the site of the
original church.
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 reconnoitering
party fell back slowly, making a stand at the corner of Seay Field. By
7:30 a. m., the Confederate line had advanced to within half a mile of
Prentiss’ camps.
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.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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