Shiloh National Military Park is a very solemn place

Just south of Savanah, Tennessee, there on the west bank of the Tennessee River, lies Shiloh National Military Park. Shiloh is the site of the largest early battle of the Civil War. It is a National Park and as such it is a beautiful place and is managed for the public, with emphasis placed on educating the public on what happened there back in 1862.

The Iowa monument is big and beautiful. It is located near the park entrance.

This beautiful statue of Fate is part of the Iowa Monument.

Brave of the brave, the twice five thousand men
Who all that day stood in the battle's shock
Fame holds them dear, and with Fate's immortal pen
Inscribes their names on the enduring rock.
The Great Civil War Battle

Fought on April 6 and 7, 1862, the battle of Shiloh was the first major battle of the Civil War.
The nation was shocked to learn of the numbers of dead, wounded and captured in that battle. Losses killed, wounded or captured, were 13,047 Union and 10,669 Confederate. That was the bloodiest battle ever - ever - fought on American soil at the time.
Even with more casualties, the Union held the ground and is considered the victor. It was the beginning of a long, long, string of defeats to be suffered by the Southern forces in a war that would see more than six hundred thousand American killed.

Many like to visit Shiloh in April because that is when the battle was fought. But anytime of year the park is pretty, and for my taste, best in Autumn.

Some Northerners don't understand why the war is remembered so strongly in the South. A big part of that is because the war was fought right in the Southerner's own town or neighborhood and in some cases on their own land.
Pictured above are three members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, a group dedicated to the nation remembering the correct facts and history of the war.
I ran across these men in the National Cemetery there in the park when I was visiting. They were from the southwest Tennessee area and were very conscious of the war's history. And as their club's name implies, they are descendants of men who fought for the Confederacy (as am I) in the war.

At a distance I watched the SCV members approach the Tennessee monument with the Confederate flag.
The "Stars and Bars" Confederate flag that is often seen today was not the official flag that was flown at most government buildings of the Confederacy. The flag that is well known today was the Confederate battle flag - and it was just one of several different flags carried by the southern forces into the battle of Shiloh.

Here the Illinois Monument sits in a beautiful field - a field once part of noise, destruction, death, courage and loss, heroism and grief - but now sits quietly in a peaceful place.

This part of the Illinois monument shows a scene from the nearby battle of the Hornet's Nest.
The inscription reads:
Illinois erects this monument to commemorate her Sons who here gave their services to perpetuate the honor and glory of the United States.
Illinois lost more men than any other state in the battle of Shiloh, 3,957 malitiamen.

Near the center of the battle, Duncan Field was a large open area that had to be crossed and held by whichever forces would win the battle.

Minnesota sent many cannoneers to the battle. The Minnesota Monument is one of my favorite.

The Park includes a National Cemetery. That cemetery holds mostly graves of Union soldiers. At other places in the park one can find mass graves where many Confederates were buried.

Starting at the park office and museum, one can do a self-guided tour of the park and battlefield.


The bronze statue that makes the Tennessee Monument is a beautiful work of art.

The park office and museum were recently remodeled and modernized. A visit to the park can be enjoyed in an hour or two, or as long as a few days.
And in Closing
Once on a visit to Shiloh I was talking to the father of a family visiting from Mississippi. He and I were looking across a beautiful green field where once hundreds, or thousands, of Americans had fallen. The sky was sunny and the weather was near perfect.
I said, "This place is special. Any American living within a day's drive should visit this place." He agreed. But then I added, "It is a special place, but not a happy place."
Shiloh sits about 20 minutes south of Savanah, Tennessee and about 30 minutes north of Corinth, Mississippi. It is a quiet, isolated place.
Shiloh is more than a place. It is a visual reminder of the human condition as well as a frightening look at what our nation has done in the past. Those who have never been there have missed a treat. And all who have not been there should plan a visit soon.
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#americana #rockybaker #civilwar #nationalcemetery #illinois #tennessee #iowa #shiloh #cannons #confederacy #minnesota #americanhistory
My Great Great Grand Father encountered his first battle of the war here! He survived to carry on and died an old man of ninety plus years in his homeland and lies there today in DIXIE.
Wonderful pictures, Rocky!
You are a great photographer.
Thank you Rocky. Somber remembrance of a pivotal battle, with wonderful photos.
Harvey
Absolutely wonderful, as usual!!
Apiture is worth a thousand words! Nice job, Rocky