Western Tennessee
Civil War

Shiloh Battlefield and Area

Shiloh National Military Park
Shiloh TN 38376
731-689-5696
 Road map 
The first large-scale battle of the war was fought here near Pittsburg Landing on the Tennessee River April 6-7, 1862. The Confederate Army of the Mississippi led by Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston, marching north from Corinth, Ms, managed to surprise U.S. Grant’s Union army camped near the landing. The early-morning Confederate attack April 6 overran the Northern camps and forced the stunned Union army back toward the river. Stubborn resistance at places such as the Hornet’s Nest and the disorganization of the attackers staved off a Union disaster. During the fighting that first day, Johnston, regarded by many as the best Southern general, was killed. The Confederates, now under Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard, renewed the attack the next day, but timely Union reinforcements helped turn the battle around. Federal counterattacks swept the Confederates from the field and back to Corinth.
   The battlefield park here is perhaps the best preserved in the country. A driving tour takes visitors past the site of such landmarks as the Bloody Pond, Hornet’s Nest, Peach Orchard and the site of Shiloh Church.
   Park open dawn to dusk daily. Visitor center open 8 am-5 pm daily. $3/adults, $5 families.
   Note: The Corinth (MS) Civil War Interpretive Center is administered by this park. See the main park website for more information about that site.

Other nearby sites

Johnston’s Last Bivouac
Trails sign at located at 95 Hwy 22, Shiloh TN 38376
 Road map 
Confederate commander Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston made his camp here after meeting with his top generals April 5, 1862, before the Battle of Shiloh. Awakened the next morning to the sound of musketry, Johnston rode to the opening battle and was killed just hours later.

Fallen Timbers
Trails sign located on Harrison Road, off Joe Dillon Road, near Michie TN 38357
 Road map
    Col. N.B. Forrest, protecting a field hospital and acting as rear guard for the Confederate army withdrawing from the Shiloh battlefield, met Union troops under Gen. William T. Sherman here April 8, 1862, in a field of “fallen timber.” Forrest received a serious wound here but led his troopers during the battle and retreat from the field. Sherman, satisfied that the Confederates actually were retreating toward Corinth, withdrew to his lines.

Savannah

Visitor Center
495 Main St., Savannah TN 38372
800-552-3866
Pick up a walking tour of historic Savannah here. Stops on the tour include Cherry Mansion, 265 Main St, which was Grant’s headquarters before and after the Battle of Shiloh. Two Union generals died in the house after the battle. Public exhibits on the Tennessee River just below the private home and elsewhere on the riverfront highlight Civil War activities.

Tennessee River Museum
495 Main St., Savannah TN 38372
800-552-3866
 Road map 
Excellent Civil War exhibits are one of the highlights of this well-done museum tracing the history of the Tennessee River. Artifacts relating to the Shiloh battlefield and other Civil War items are on display.
    Open Monday–Saturday 9 am–5 pm, Sunday 1–5 pm. $3/adult. (Free admission with a coupon available from Shiloh National Military Park.)

Cherry Mansion
Trails sign at 265 W Main St, Savannah TN 38372
 Road map 
  Union Gen. U.S. Grant was here the morning of April 6 when the Battle of Shiloh erupted 7 miles upriver. Boarding a nearby steamer, the general and his staff headed to Pittsburg Landing and the fighting. The mansion was owned by Unionist William Cherry. His wife, Ann, however, was an ardent Confederate with two brothers in the Southern army.

Adamsville

Adamsville in the Civil War
Trails sign located at 231 E Main St, Adamsville TN 38310
 Road map 
   Troops under Union Gen. Lew Wallace were stationed here in April 1862 as U.S. Grant’s army moved into southern Tennessee. Wallace moved out from here the first day of the Battle of Shiloh but failed to reach the battlefield in time (an early-war controversy). Wallace did arrive in time to turn the tide against the Confederates on the second day of the battle.

Fielding Hurst & Purdy
Trails sign located at 785 Gann Road, Adamsville TN 38310
 Road map 
   Devout Unionist Fielding Hurst, who raised a unit of Federal cavalry, lived nearby. Hurst became a controversial figure after his raids resulted in widespread destruction (including the burning of most of Purdy). Hurst’s actions eventually led to his resignation in December 1864.

Website links to these places: Tennessee Links