Shiloh National Military ParkNov 20, 2010
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The Confederate Monument
| Well, we have diverted somewhat from what we thought we’d be doing this week. The weather turned colder so we thought it best to extend for another night in the little campground near Lawrenceburg. After Monday and Tuesday nights at a couple Wal-Marts, we wanted a campground to recharge our batteries and dump our tanks. Gene found a tiny campground off US 64 about 7 miles east of Lawrenceburg. It was nothing special, but it wasn’t a junk yard either. With the Passport America rate of $12/night for full hook-ups, it almost can’t be beat. With nighttime temperatures near freezing we were really enjoying our little electric heater. The forecast called for cold temps again Friday night so we decided to stay. That gave us Friday to run over to Shiloh. Grant and Johnston went head to head at Shiloh. Grant had already captured both Forts Henry and Donelson and Johnston was determined to maintain control of the railroad just south in Corinth, Mississippi. Grant landed at Pittsburg Landing on the Tennessee River and was waiting for Buell who was marching from Nashville. Johnston decided to head Grant off at the landing rather than wait for him to march to Corinth. The Union troops were surprised and the battle went well for the Confederates on Sunday, April 6, 1862, but Buell’s reinforcements arrived and turned the tide. Johnston not only lost the battle, but he also lost his life. The Confederate loss at Shiloh opened the Mississippi Valley to Grant and his push to Vicksburg. We drove the 10-mile loop around the battlefield stopping at strategic points along the way. It’s always a somber experience visiting these battlefields where so many men died. They said in the film to imagine the thousands of soldiers, the sound of guns, the smell of powder, the sting of smoke in your eyes. I’m sorry, but I just can’t imagine. Also on the grounds is a replica of the small Shiloh Church which was built in 1851. Beside this small wooden structure is a more modern Shiloh Church which is active today. This church, like many in the South, has a cemetery nearby. I cannot tell you how shocked Gene and I were to find the grave of Ray Blanton, a governor of Tennessee, in that cemetery. With the drive to and from (about 75 miles each way) and the tour of the battlefield it was an all day outing. We moved today to Meriwether Lewis on the Natchez Trace. That story tomorrow. |
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