Pre-trip to Shiloh: Suggested videos /summaries

Pr Palmer

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Mar 30, 2019
The family is going to visit Shiloh, July 2021. The kids are all 17 and over. A couple of us are very much Civil War history fans, the others not quite so much, but at least have a passing interest. A big reason for our visit is my gr-gr grandfather and a gr-gr-gr uncle both served with the 11th Iowa (Co. E) at Shiloh.
For the benefit of the family, and especially for those not *quite* as enthusiastic, what materials (videos or print material) would you suggest to give them a good overview of the battle to prep them BEFORE we get there?

Thanks so much!
 
@Pr Palmer here are some suggestions for y'all's Shiloh Trip.

Prior to your visit:

1) Go to the web site of Trailhead Graphics* and secure a copy of the Shiloh National Military Park map. This map has the position of every unit tablet, position markers and monuments located on the over 4,000 acres in the Park.
Y’all will be able to find all the markers of the 11th​ Iowa which will allow you to follow this regiment’s actions during the battle. The 11th​ fought on the Western flank of the battle on Sunday, at one point it battled in the area of 3 of the known Confederate Burial Trenches! Indeed a hot spot during the fight!

2) Go to the free web site** to download a PDF of the Staff Ride Handbook of the Battle of Shiloh. April 6-7 1862. This pamphlet provides an excellent introduction to the battle and a brief synopsis of the action at various points on the field.

3) I would suggest reading a general study of the battle and factors leading up to this great conflict in the West. Personally I favor Wiley Sword’s Shiloh: Bloody April but many others are available. There is a thread about this topic on the CivilWarTalk board and can be accessed here.***

I will start another post on what to visit on you trip as I don’t want to make too long a post.
Regards
David

*https://www.trailheadgraphics.com/catalog.php

**https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Portals/7/educational-services/staff-rides/StaffRideHB_Shiloh.pdf

***https://civilwartalk.com/threads/shiloh-book-question.158006/#post-2053936
 
@Pr Palmer I forgot to add the Shiloh National Military Park Monument Location System* to the above post. Using this site in conjuction with your Trailhead Graphics map will assist you in locating all of the 11th Iowa's movements. I apologize for the oversight.
Regards
David

*http://www.shilohbattlefield.org/
 
@Pr Palmer

Here are my suggestions of places to visit on your Shiloh

To Visit:

1) Visit the Corinth Civil War Interprative Center for a solid grounding in the importance of Shiloh, Pittsburg Landing and Corinth, MS. The railroad crossing in this small North Mississippi town was the reason for this tremendous battle. Ranger Tom Parson, @TomP,
a Shiloh Ranger is located here and is an excellent source of information and assistance on all aspects of this campaigan and its participants.

2) The Shiloh NMP Visitor Center has an excellent 49 minute film, Shiloh - Fiery Trial, coupled with a small but very interesting museum which enhance one’s visit.

3) Next to the Visitor’s Center is in my opinion the most beautiful National Cemetery in the World. The 10 acre Shiloh National Cemetery holds the remains of over 3,500 Civil War soldiers, the majority of which are unknown. This web site provides additional information about this cemetery.*

4) Hagy’s Catfish Hotel is a must stop during you Shiloh Visit! Located 1 mile North of the Park, this restaurant is open for dinner or supper---except Mondays---and truly a refreshing break from traipsing the Park in July!!!

5) The Iowa Monument is the tallest one in the Park and is on the way to the Visitor’s Center.

6) The United Daughters of the Confederacy’s Confederate Monument is quite simply one of the most beautiful tributes to soldiers in the world. A must see.

7) The Park is easily visited by car with most of the major sites on and off the road.

8) I would recommend visiting the 5 known Confederate Burial Trenches, 2 of which are on the side of the road, with the other 3 requiring short walks. These trenches were established just days after the battle as Union troops hurriedly buried the Confederate dead.

If you are interested in further details about the Confederate Burial Trenches here is a link to an existing thread about this subject.**

9) I am unsure of what else I can provide at this time but please contact me if you wish. I would be pleased to assist in any way possible.

10) Guided Tour. If you are interested in securing a guide for you visit I have 2 recommendations. Listed alphabetically. I have had the pleasure of having both men lead a tour of the battlefield and they are excellent!

Larry DeBerry at Shiloh Tours and Museum is a very qualified man and knows the Battle and Field very well. His contact info is here***

Miller Civil War Tours is owned by Starke Miller who is also very qualified tour guide and can be contacted here****

Regards
David

*https://www.nps.gov/shil/learn/historyculture/upload/Cemetery-2021-Update-3.pdf

**https://civilwartalk.com/threads/th...urial-trenches-at-shiloh.170670/#post-2218096

***https://shilohtours.com/

****https://www.facebook.com/Miller-Civil-War-Tours-1113715165341508/
 
The family is going to visit Shiloh, July 2021. The kids are all 17 and over. A couple of us are very much Civil War history fans, the others not quite so much, but at least have a passing interest. A big reason for our visit is my gr-gr grandfather and a gr-gr-gr uncle both served with the 11th Iowa (Co. E) at Shiloh.
For the benefit of the family, and especially for those not *quite* as enthusiastic, what materials (videos or print material) would you suggest to give them a good overview of the battle to prep them BEFORE we get there?

Thanks so much!
It's a bit long, but I tried to include as much as practicable in my thread describing the campaign and battle for anyone who cares to sit and read from a computer screen; there's LOTS of pictures of places and things to see too:

https://civilwartalk.com/threads/the-battle-of-shiloh-tennessee-april-6-7-1862.156549/
 
Another very good tip for future visits! Good catch James!
Regards
David
 
The above are all great suggestions, and without meaning to cast a pall over your plans, a couple of things to be aware of especially if you aren't from the South and use to our Summers. Pace yourself and stay hydrated as the heat and humidity will sneak up on you in a hurry. Also, be cautious venturing off the trails and into the woodlands as poison ivy abounds and poisonous snakes are known to be in the Park. These things said, Shiloh is truly one of the untouched Civil War gems in this country and I have no doubt that you and your family will have a great visit.
 
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I appreciate all the suggests, folks. Thank you SO much!
A private tour for the family with Miller or DeBerry sounds amazing... but unfortunately out of our price range (gas prices to get there and accommodations are going to be pricey enough). I fear we will have to make do with the park ranger and whatever I can dig up beforehand.
 
Be sure to post some photos of your trip. To bad you couldn't make our Shiloh muster last fall.
 
@Pr Palmer here are some suggestions for y'all's Shiloh Trip.

Prior to your visit:

1) Go to the web site of Trailhead Graphics* and secure a copy of the Shiloh National Military Park map. This map has the position of every unit tablet, position markers and monuments located on the over 4,000 acres in the Park.
Y’all will be able to find all the markers of the 11th​ Iowa which will allow you to follow this regiment’s actions during the battle. The 11th​ fought on the Western flank of the battle on Sunday, at one point it battled in the area of 3 of the known Confederate Burial Trenches! Indeed a hot spot during the fight!

2) Go to the free web site** to download a PDF of the Staff Ride Handbook of the Battle of Shiloh. April 6-7 1862. This pamphlet provides an excellent introduction to the battle and a brief synopsis of the action at various points on the field.

3) I would suggest reading a general study of the battle and factors leading up to this great conflict in the West. Personally I favor Wiley Sword’s Shiloh: Bloody April but many others are available. There is a thread about this topic on the CivilWarTalk board and can be accessed here.***

I will start another post on what to visit on you trip as I don’t want to make too long a post.
Regards
David

*https://www.trailheadgraphics.com/catalog.php

**https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Portals/7/educational-services/staff-rides/StaffRideHB_Shiloh.pdf

***https://civilwartalk.com/threads/shiloh-book-question.158006/#post-2053936
This is so great!
 
@Pr Palmer here are some suggestions for y'all's Shiloh Trip.

Prior to your visit:

1) Go to the web site of Trailhead Graphics* and secure a copy of the Shiloh National Military Park map. This map has the position of every unit tablet, position markers and monuments located on the over 4,000 acres in the Park.
Y’all will be able to find all the markers of the 11th​ Iowa which will allow you to follow this regiment’s actions during the battle. The 11th​ fought on the Western flank of the battle on Sunday, at one point it battled in the area of 3 of the known Confederate Burial Trenches! Indeed a hot spot during the fight!

2) Go to the free web site** to download a PDF of the Staff Ride Handbook of the Battle of Shiloh. April 6-7 1862. This pamphlet provides an excellent introduction to the battle and a brief synopsis of the action at various points on the field.

3) I would suggest reading a general study of the battle and factors leading up to this great conflict in the West. Personally I favor Wiley Sword’s Shiloh: Bloody April but many others are available. There is a thread about this topic on the CivilWarTalk board and can be accessed here.***

I will start another post on what to visit on you trip as I don’t want to make too long a post.
Regards
David

*https://www.trailheadgraphics.com/catalog.php

**https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Portals/7/educational-services/staff-rides/StaffRideHB_Shiloh.pdf

***https://civilwartalk.com/threads/shiloh-book-question.158006/#post-2053936
I agree Wiley Sword's book is my favorite. Have you read Tim Smith's book on Shiloh?
 
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