You Can See A Civil War Cemetery And A Battlefield At This Riverside Military Park In Shiloh, Tennessee
By Meghan Kraft|Published June 29, 2022
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Meghan Kraft
Author
Meghan Kraft loves to travel the world, but she makes her home right here in Nashville, Tennessee. She holds a degree in English, and has worked in the digital marketing realm with companies such as Apartments.com, USA Today and HarperCollins Publishing.
The American South is littered with battlefields and historical locations hailing from the Civil War. There are 38 battlefields in Tennessee alone, which actually cover a whopping 386,000 acres in total. Of the original land expanse, a total of 115,000 acres have been preserved for education and posterity’s sake. The Shiloh National Military Park is located on the same ground as the Battle of Shiloh in Shiloh, Tennessee, and extends into the neighboring state of Mississippi. The park is maintained by the National Park Service, and visitors will be able to learn about the Shiloh National Cemetery, the little-known Sunken Road, and the history of the battle.
The Shiloh National Military Park consists of both Shiloh and Corinth battlefields in Tennessee and Mississippi. The visitors center provides the opportunity to go on a self-guided auto-tour, or you can enjoy a series of exhibits and films on the battle. The two-day Battle of Shiloh took place on this site from April 6th to April 7th in 1862.
Nearly 24,000 men were killed, wounded, or considered missing after the battle. Unfortunately, the staggering death toll was not in the name of victory; there was no decisive tactical victory. If anything, the battle can be considered a strategic defeat for Confederate troops as the Union forces went on to Corinth and took control of a vital railroad junction.
Here you can see a replica of the Shiloh Methodist Church, the inspiration for the battle's moniker. It is located near Pittsburg Landing where Union forces landed after their trek on the Tennessee River.
The Shiloh National Cemetery is one of the most popular places to visit in the park. More than 3,000 Union soldiers and two Confederate soldiers are laid to rest in the cemetery. There are also mass graves in the park where an unknown number of Confederate soldiers were buried.
You will also find the Shiloh Indian Mounds Site in the park. The historic area was once home to local Indigenous Peoples and is noted as one of the largest Woodland-era sites found in the southeastern region of the United States.
You will find a series of events hosted throughout the Shiloh National Military Park throughout the year, including the Roar of the Cannons on the 4th of July and the Artillery of Shiloh Bicycle Ride. Make sure you bring the little ones by to become Junior Rangers with the help of park staff, and every so often you will find book signings and lectures at the visitor center.
The Battle of Shiloh is considered by some to be one of the most incredible struggles of the Civil War, with almost 24,000 casualties at its end. At the time, the battle was the bloodiest ever fought on American soil. The drastic loss of life is heartbreaking, and the memory of America's former troubles is worth remembering and considering as society builds a better tomorrow.
If you haven't visited the Shiloh National Military Park, then we would highly recommend spending a spare Saturday among Tennessee history. The national cemetery and Indian Mounds site are both important facets of local history, and there is a beauty to remembering the importance of the past.
