shiloh battlefield tour map

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Shiloh National Military Park | SHILOH NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD TOUR

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Shiloh Battlefield Tour Map (click to enlarge)

A tour road winds through Shiloh National Military Park and takes visitors to the locations of the April 1862 battle’s most important events. The road is open to vehicle, bicycle, and foot traffic, though it is probably a little too long to walk (13 miles). The tour consists of 22 stops, and the route is included in the park brochure that is available at the Visitor Center . Numbered posts mark each stop, and information panels give details about the events that took place. Many of the panels include battle maps that help you orient yourself as to where you are in the overall scheme of things. For even more information, you can download the free  Shiloh Battle App  for Apple and Android phones.

Allow three hours for the tour, provided you want to spend the proper amount of time to study and understand the battle. The Shiloh Battlefield Tour has 22 stops that average about 5 minutes per stop, plus you have about an hour of drive time and time required to get out of the car and walk to some of the sites.

For a virtual tour of the Shiloh battlefield, National Park Planner has created a web page for each stop that includes a description and photos of what you will find. You can use the menu below to jump to a particular tour stop. Once on the stop’s web page, a menu at the bottom of the page allows you to navigate to the next or previous tour stop.

Tour Stop 1:   Grant’s Last Line

Tour Stop 2:   The Confederate Monument

Tour Stop 3:   Duncan Field

Tour Stop 4:   Ruggles’ Battery

Tour Stop 5:   Shiloh Church

Tour Stop 6:   Rhea Field

Tour Stop 7:   Fraley Field

Tour Stop 8:   Confederates Gain Ground

Tour Stop 9:   Invasion of the Union Camps

Tour Stop 10:   Hornet’s Nest

Tour Stop 11:   Shiloh’s Casualties

Tour Stop 12:   Jones Field

Tour Stop 13:  Woolf Field

Tour Stop 14:   Water Oaks Pond

Tour Stop 15:  Daniel Davis Wheat Field

Tour Stop 16: Field Hospital

Tour Stop 17:   Death of General Johnston

Tour Stop 18:   The Peach Orchard

Tour Stop 19:   Bloody Pond

Tour Stop 20:   Dill Branch Ravine

Tour Stop 21:   Grant’s Left Flank

Tour Stop 22:   Pittsburg Landing

Different types of information is available to you on the battlefield. The most useful to the general public are the information panels.

Typical information panel at Shiloh National Military Park

The second type of information you have access to is what are known as “tablets.” These contain information on topics such as what troops were at a certain location at a certain time, where they moved, how many people were in the unit, and casualty reports. These tablets were erected when the park was created in 1894 and were meant to document in detail the events that took place on the battlefield. They were intended for historians and military students (nearly all of the Civil War battlefields parks were originally under the control of the War Department and were only later transferred to the National Park Service). You may read a few as you tour the battlefield, but unless you are a true Civil War buff, you will soon lose interest in them. Tablets can be found on all Civil War battlefields in the National Park system.

While you most likely will not read all of the tablets, you should at least familiarize yourself with what they symbolize. By remembering what the shapes and colors mean, you can quickly recognize what army was at a particular location, what day it was there, and which direction it was facing. There is a tablet exhibit outside of the Visitor Center, with one tablet explaining what the shapes and colors represent. This key is also printed on the park brochure.

Tablet at Shiloh National Military Park

Key to the meaning of the tablets at Shiloh National Military Park

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Shiloh National Military Park

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• Calendar of Events

Relive History with a Guided Tour of Shiloh Park

The Bloody Pond At Shiloh Park

The Shiloh Battlefield, Log Church, Civil War Museum… See It All!

Are you planning on visiting Shiloh National Military Park? Relive the battle of April 6 and 7, 1862 with an experienced guide, Larry DeBerry. His tour follows the order of events recreating the bloody two-day fight as you stop at landmark sites on the Shiloh battlefield.

Learn about the surprise Confederate attack on the Union forces under General Ulysses S. Grant which initially drove the bluecoats back near Shiloh Log Church. Follow the movements of both armies through the Sunken Road, the Hornet’s Nest, the Peach Orchard and the Bloody Pond to the final retreat of the Confederates to Corinth. See the artifacts and relics on display at the Shiloh Tours’ Civil War Museum to understand how the soldiers fought and lived.

Hornets Nest at the Sunken Road

Whether you are an enthusiastic tourist or a keen history buff, our guided tours of Shiloh Park provide an unmatched historical experience of the Civil War. Larry DeBerry will guide you every step of the way, helping you easily navigate the original steps of the Union and Confederate soldiers.

Highlights of Civil War Tours across Shiloh Battlefield

Larry recommends you watch the 45-minute (approx.) movie about the Battle of Shiloh at the Visitor Center before you start your tour. There is a showing at the top of every hour from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM

• How long? Our tours last from 2 to 6 hours depending on the type of tour you choose and how much detail you desire.
• What will you see? We visit many historical sites, including Shiloh Log Church, Hornet’s Nest, Sunken Road, the Peach Orchard, Pittsburg Landing and Grant's Last Line as well as the Shiloh Tours’ Civil War Museum and souvenir gift shop.

• Types of Tours, Seasons and Times :

We offer 3 types of tours:

• Daily Guided Tours are offered from April 1 to October 31 on Wednesday through Saturday. There are 2 tours daily beginning at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tours last for approximately 2 hours.
• Private Tours are for individuals, families or small groups (1 to 6 people). Available year-round. These tours can last for 2 to 6 hours depending on the interest and wishes of the group.
• Bus Tours are for large parties such as schools, church groups, event planners, charter companies and other interested organizations. Like the Private Tours, these tours are available year-round and can last for 2 to 6 hours depending on the interest and wishes of the group.
• Shiloh Tours Rates:
• Daily Guided Tours are $30 per individual for a 2-hour tour (children age 10 and under are FREE, but this does not apply to school groups).
• Private Tours (6 individuals or less) is $30 per hour for 1 person plus $5 for each additional person up to 6 individuals. A maximum charge of $55 per hour. Children age 10 and under are FREE.
• For Bus Tours, please ask us about pricing and terms. Call us at 731-689-3336 or contact us online to request pricing information.
• Historical Achievement Award and More

At the end of all tours, Larry gives each participant a “Historical Achievement Award” certificate. You are now a certified Battle of Shiloh enthusiast! You will also receive a folder containing documents with information covered in the tour and other additional facts about the Battle of Shiloh.

“My wife and I agree that we have never had a tour guide as enjoyable and knowledgeable as Larry DeBerry in all our years of touring places.”

Ben & Barbara, Golden CO

Reserve Your Shiloh Battlefield Tour Today!

Shiloh is probably the best-preserved battlefield of the Civil War. Larry DeBerry has lived here all his life and has a personal connection to the battle. In fact, Larry’s family heritage reaches back to times before the Battle of Shiloh, as early as the 1830s. Four sets of his great-great-grandparents lived on the battlefield when the first shots were fired.

One of the great-great-grandfathers, George Washington Sowell, helped build the Shiloh Log Church in 1851. Unfortunately, a stray bullet killed him on the first day of the fight while he was standing on his porch. He was the only civilian killed in the Battle of Shiloh. DeBerry goes beyond the facts to provide background stories, discussing battle strategies and what-if scenarios to make your tour more interesting.

For more than 20 years, Shiloh Tours has been putting visitors back in the battle! It will be a Civil War tour you won’t forget.

Call us at 731-689-3336. You can also contact us online to book your guided tour of Shiloh Park or send an email to Larry DeBerry at [email protected] .

Sign up for our newsletter using the form on this page. Be the first to learn about interesting historical facts, events and activities at Shiloh National Military Park and related points of interest.

Book a Tour Today!

Call 731-689-3336 or email .

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A must-see.

Largest Private Collection of Relics and Artifacts on display from Shiloh Ph. 731-689-3336 1115 Hwy 22 South, Shiloh Tennessee

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Fascinating Confederate and Union Buckles on Display...

Shiloh Artillery: Did it Help the Union Win Over the Rebels?

SHILOH TOURS AND MUSEUM

1115 Hwy 22 South Shiloh, TN 38376

731-689-3336 [email protected]

DAILY GUIDED TOURS

Available April 1st to October 31st Wednesday through Saturday 2 Tours per Day at 10 AM and 1 PM No Tours Sunday, Monday or Tuesday Children age 10 and under are FREE

PRIVATE TOURS

Private Tours are available year around $30 per hour for 1 person plus $5 for each additional person up to six individuals. A maximum $55 per hour. Children age 10 and under are FREE

MUSEUM HOURS

Open April 1st to October 31st Monday through Saturday - 8 AM to 5 PM Sunday - 1:00 PM to 5 PM Admission: $5.00 Children age 10 and under are FREE

Bus Tours are available year-round Contact us for pricing and terms

FREE MUSEUM ADMISSION!!

All guided tours receive FREE admission to the Shiloh Tour's Museum. The largest relic and artifact collection in the area. A $5.00 value!

A Guided Tour of the Shiloh Battlefield

We welcome you to hop in the car and join Dr. Timothy B. Smith for this FULL tour of Shiloh National Military Park. The video highlights the same route that visitors experience when trekking the battlefield, including famed locations such as Pittsburg Landing, Grant's Last Line of Defense, Shiloh Church and The Hornet's Nest.

There is no replacement for being able to see America's Hallowed Grounds in person, but we hope this serves as a worthy option for the virtual experience. With that being said, we encourage you to visit Shiloh in-person. Check out our Shiloh itinerary to aid in doing so!

To learn even more about Shiloh as well as the rest of the Civil War in Tennessee, check out our battlefield tour series .

The Battle of Shiloh

Civil War: 1862

Western Theater of the Civil War

Related battles, more battlefield tours.

[email protected]

• Aug 3, 2021

Shiloh Battlefield Visitors Guide: A Review with Tips to Enhance Your Visit

By Jason Hillegas

Shiloh Battlefield is 5,000 acres of land located in Hardin County, Tennessee that has been protected and preserved to help tell the visitor about the battle of Shiloh. These 5,000 acres are a part of the larger National Military Park that also includes the nearby interpretive center in Corinth, Mississippi. This review will be of the battlefield only.

Once one makes a turn onto Pittsburg Landing, one can begin to get an idea of how large of a battlefield Shiloh is. A smattering of white based pyramids on either side of Pittsburg Landing Road denotes the location of the different headquarters of the Union Army’s brigades and divisions. As one approaches the visitor center, a line of artillery can be seen to the right of the road; small monuments to regiments from Ohio and Indiana, and finally the majestic monument to the State of Iowa on the left, give the visitor a sense of some of the things to be seen throughout the battlefield.

The visitor then pulls into the cul-de-sac that is the parking area. There are separate buildings for the bathrooms, the book store, and the visitor’s center. Tip: Start your journey to Shiloh by seeing the movie Shiloh:o Fiery Trail in the visitor’s center and then view the artifacts, dioramas, and reproductions that are on display in the museum. Grab a map (or two) on the way out and go to the side, where you will find four explanatory tablets. They denote who was where, when they were there, and which direction the unit faced. The tablets are color coded. Blue for Army of the Tennessee, Yellow for the Army of the Ohio, and red for the Army of Mississippi. The home plate looking tablets denote camp locations, the plate marking the location of the colors on the company street. After familiarizing yourself with the tablets, with map in hand, you are now ready to tour the battlefield.

If there is one glaring strike for Shiloh Battlefield, it is that there is no official tour of the battlefield. You can download the Shiloh Battle App and the tour to your mobile device, but do so before you arrive at the battlefield as cell service there is spotty at best, and if you do not have this tour available for offline use, you may end up not being able to get the tour on your device, depending on your location. The reception is best by the Visitor’s Center, but my Verizon was more like a half of a G as opposed to 5G service.

The map provided by the park shows the 22 stops along the driving tour. You will start the tour near the Iowa monument that was passed on the way in, and end back at Pittsburg Landing. I would highly recommend starting by walking through the cemetery to begin your tour, which can be accessed by a path near the bookstore that leads to the main entrance gate of the cemetery.

You may find yourself wanting to get out of your vehicle and walk around the area of the tour stops, which is a good thing. There is a tablet with a brief description of what is going on at that area, and the monuments are best seen up close. Please note that while most of the area around the tour stops are well maintained, there are a lot of bugs and wildlife that you may encounter on your trek, and you should be prepared. First and foremost, stick to the paths. Some are better maintained than others. The paths around the tour stops are the best maintained, however it is very likely that you will see a monument or a marker that is off of the main path. There may have been a path at one time, or it is not as well maintained, so be aware of the terrain. The less maintained the path, the less likely you will find the tree roots, ruts or in my one instance, a hiding wild turkey. A hiking stick is not mandatory, but may help you navigate some of these lesser maintained paths.

There are a few highlights to the tour that I would like to point out and they are as follows:

Tour Stop 2, Confederate Memorial. Make sure you walk around the monument as there is a dedication on the back. Before returning to your vehicle, find the path that is to the right of the monument if you are looking at its front. This path leads you to the location where Brigadier General Benjamin M. Prentiss surrendered to the Confederates, which has a sign marking the location a couple of hundred feet into the path.

Tour Stop 4, Ruggles’ Battery. The largest gathering of artillery to that date in North America gathered here, and there is a wide variety of artillery pieces at this location. A walk of the area lends to an understanding of the Confederate position.

Tour Stop 5, Shiloh Church. Here is the location for the church for which the battle is named. There is a small reproduction of the meeting house adjacent to the current Shiloh Methodist Church, which is on the original location of the meeting house. Tip: Be aware that this church is in use and you may need to make adjustments if church is in session.

Tour Stop 10, The Hornet’s Nest. Some of my favorite monuments in the park can be found in this area, examples being Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Arkansas. There is a walking path that allows you to traverse the area of the Hornet’s Nest. Tip: Taking a walk into the Hornet's Nest gives the visitor an idea of what the Union Army was looking through during the battle.

Tour Stop 11, Confederate mass Grave. One of the five known mass burial sites of Confederate soldiers, this particular one is also the easiest to access as it is its own tour stop. The other four have markers letting you know that there is a burial site a short distance away, and can be accessed by a short hike. The non-tour stop site paths are less well maintained, so please be mindful of this when going down these paths.

Tour Stop 17, The Death of General Johnston. Here locates a mortuary marker denoting the death of the Confederate commander. Johnston died in a ravine south of the monument. There was a red bordered sign that more precisely noted the location of his death.

Tour Stop 19, The Bloody Pond. Take a moment to take in the area of the pond where both Union and Confederate soldiers stopped.

Tip: Please be aware that some stops have more available space for parking than others. Some stops have marked parking spots, others have pull offs along the side of the road. Make sure when you park along the side that there is enough room for traffic to pass.

Miscellaneous: Shiloh Battlefield is relatively secluded, unlike Gettysburg. Civilization is not that far off though, and if you are looking for a good local restaurant, I would highly recommend Hagy’s Catfish Hotel, which is about 5 minutes away by car. Good food and great service, and as a bonus for the visitor, a local non-chain restaurant.

In Conclusion:

The Good: Absolutely beautiful, sprawling battlefield, well maintained and marked. The landscape is dotted with monuments, markers, tablets, and artillery pieces placed to allow the visitor to gain a better understanding of the events of April 6th and 7th, 1862. There are a myriad of paths that cater to the adventurous wanderer. Ranger programs are regularly given.

The Bad: No official Driving Tour. Most of the road signs are at calf height and almost never at the intersections, making travel a bit challenging, especially if you are not following along the tour and trying to find a specific item. The less well maintained paths are good at concealing obstructions and wildlife.

The Ugly: Nothing. This park has some negative marks, but nothing that should or would deter anyone from visiting the park.

Time to complete tour: The tour can be completed in a day, although I would recommend if possible to provide for multiple days. Multiple days allow for attendance at the Ranger Programs, as well as allow for an unrushed driving tour.

Tip: Be aware of: Bugs. Take precautions for ticks and other unpleasant bugs that bite, and wear pants and hiking boots, or there is a high likelihood of having to do a bug removal afterwards. Be aware of the wildlife. I accidentally scared a deer, and a wild turkey scared me. If you travel off the beaten path, you will probably cross paths with the local wildlife. Exercise caution and maintain distance at all times. Finally, be aware of the lack of cellular reception in most areas.

Shiloh is in a perfect position for those that enjoy making a complete trip about the Civil War. Corinth is approximately a half hour away. Fort Donelson is approximately 2 hours away to the north. Stones River Battlefield and Franklin are both about 2 ½ hours away to the east.

Shiloh Battlefield is a must visit battlefield for all levels of Civil War interest. Whether you are a scholar or an enthusiast, Shiloh will have something for you.

Suggested reading and materials:

Books: Shiloh: Conquer or Parish by Timothy B. Smith, the most complete book on the battle, covers both days of fighting extensively. Attack at Daylight and Whip Them: The Battle of Shiloh by Gregory A. Mertz. is the most useful tool for the driving tour. I utilized the audio book version as my driving tour narration, and found it to be very useful in helping find most of what I wanted. A brief review follows this one below.

Other items: Trailhead Graphics Map of the Battle of Shiloh. This map is an absolutely essential map for those that want to explore anything in particular, or everything. The map is tearing and water resistant, and contains the location of everything...monuments, markers, trails, etc. on the battlefield. The map notes which trails are better maintained to help you decide if you want to explore that area.

Final Battlefield Grade: A

The Best Tour Guide Available for the Battle of Shiloh an Audio Book Review

Attack at Daylight and Whip Them: The Battle of Shiloh April 6-7, 1862 (AADAWT) is the best driving tour audio book for the Battle of Shiloh. The audio book version is 4 ½ hours long and is read by Bob Neufeld. Mr. Neufeld has a clear voice and speaks in a measured tone that is pleasing to listen to. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book while taking my most recent tour of the Shiloh Battlefield.

AADAWT has enough information contained within its pages to entertain all levels of interest in the battle. Within these pages is information that will give the casual visitor a good understanding of the events of the battle, and allows for the more seasoned visitor details that are worth further investigation.

AADAWT offers items of interest that are not on the official park tour, and it is easy to follow along. The book is clear when there is an item that is not a part of the official tour, and while it does not follow the events of the battle chronologically, it is well noted why there is a diversion.

While this book may not be the most complete book on the Battle of Shiloh, I cannot recommend this audio book enough as a tool to help the visitor in their trip to the Shiloh Battlefield. Attack at Daylight and Whip Them perfectly fills the void where there is a lack of official driving tour.

Audio Book Grade: A

Materials referenced:

NPS Park Brochure

Attack at Daylight and Whip Them, The Battle of Shiloh April 6-7, 1862 by Gregory A. Mertz, Published by Savas Beatie

Photos courtesy of Jason Hillegas, Copyright Jason Hillegas Photography

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Shiloh has spoiled me. When I visit other NPS battlefields, I have to remember that they aren’t marked like Shiloh.

Very nice post Jay. I’ve been a Ranger at the park for 22 years. I do have a few comments. The park encourages all visitors to begin their visit at the Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center. The information garnered there will give visitors a much better understanding of the events leading up to the battle, and what occurred after. Secondly, the name of the film is Shiloh:Fiery Trial. It’s a common mistake. Third, all markers and monuments have trails that are on a cyclical maintenance schedule. Unlike the markers which are maintained every three years, the trails are cleaned off every winter. Each trail is marked as a dotted line on the Trailhead Map you highlighted. Conditions can be a…

Thanks for the post Jay! I'm looking forward to making my first trip to Shiloh next month.

The Shiloh battlefield is probably the best marked and interpreted battlefield in the world

BATTLEFIELD TREK

 This is a two-mile-long educational hike through some of the most interesting area of Shiloh National Military Park. This short, easy, and informative hike is designed especially for Cub Scouts, Junior Girl Scouts, and other young hikers not old enough to be eligible for the much longer Shiloh Military Trails (which is 14 miles longer and is for hikers at least 11 years old). The Shiloh Battlefield Trek is designed to introduce young hikers, their parents, and group leaders to the historic battlefield of Shiloh and show them where some of the fiercest fighting occurred. Included on the route are such famous Shiloh landmarks as the Hornets' Nest, Sunken Road, War Cabin, Peach Orchard and Ruggles' Batteries. A leader of a group desiring to hike the Shiloh Battlefield Trek should write to the Shiloh Military Trail Committee several weeks in advance of the proposed hiking date and request a map for his group. The hiking information and credential cards can be printed from the web site. Please order enough maps so each leader may have one. You will need to print the credential card and copy this so that each hiking participant has one to complete.

Use Part A of Unit Application to hike Shiloh Battlefield Trek to order maps and other printed materials. 

SUGGESTED SCHEDULE

A. First, go to the Park Visitor Center. See the movie (shown daily every 45 minutes). Visit the Museum and look up some answers to questions asked (record answers on your credential card). 

B. Start the self-guided auto battlefield tour - use park brochure for map. When you reach Hornets' Nest Road (just past U.D.C. Confederate Monument) turn left and proceed to the center of the Hornets' Nest and park your car there. 

C. No take the Shiloh Battlefield Trek. This is a figure eight shaped route, and you will finish back where you began after hiking approximately 2 miles. 

D. Then complete the balance of self-guided auto tour of the battlefield.  This is not required, but your group may like to take other short hikes at other stopping points - as from - Shiloh Church to the Tennessee Monument - the Indian Mounds Trek - and possibly others.

MISCELLANEOUS

A nice picnic area is available in Sowell Field - located on the west side of Highway #22 about one mile south of the main entrance to the park. 

NO WATER is available along the auto tour or trek route (except at Visitor Center) so canteens may be desirable in hot weather.

Two restaurants (The Back Porch and the Shiloh Battlefield Cafe) are located near the intersection of Tennessee Highway @22 and @142 near the southwest corner of the park.  Souvenirs are available at Ed Shaw's Shop.

ALL SHILOH MILITARY TRAIL HIKES ARE APPROVED BY B.S.A. NATIONAL CAMPING SERVICE.

Requirements for awards:.

• Read (or listen attentively to it being read) the story which accompanies the hike directions. It is recommended that this be read aloud by a leader to a hiking group before, then again as the hike is made.
• Take the self-guided automobile tour of the battlefield as per the National Parks Service map and brochure given out in the Visitor Center.
• Take the entire hike exactly as specified.
• Each hiker fills out his own Credential Card as he makes the hikes. Each is to write answers to questions asked on the Trek Instruction Sheet. 
• Visit the Shiloh National Military Park Visitor Center and Museum and while these see the movie "Shiloh - Portrait Of A Battle".
• Abide by all rules of the Shiloh Military Trail Committee and the National Parks Service at Shiloh National Military Park. 

A. All hikers must be under the supervision of a responsible adult leader at all times while in Shiloh National Military Park. Scout groups should wear uniforms.

B. Hike Safely, be especially careful when hiking along or crossing roads.

C. Do not leave any litter along the way. Be a good example for other park visitors. It is recommended that hikers do a good turn by picking up any litter observed on the route and placing it in trash cans located throughout the park.

D. Be courteous, orderly, and most cooperative when visiting indoor areas such as the Visitors Center, Ed Shaw's Restaurants, the Park Book Store, ETC.

An Attractive Shiloh Battlefield Trek patch, (pictured) about 3 1/2 inches diameter and fully embroider in for colors, is available.

Also, a small blue and gold lapel pin (about 1/2" diameter) or similar charm bracelet pendant is available.

Purchase of any trek awards is optional.

SHILOH BATTLEFIELD ANSWER CARD

Shiloh battlefield, battlefield hiking instructions, shiloh battlefield trek hiking instructions.

Start with the visit to the Museum and watch the movie there. Check in with the park rangers and obtain a map so you can take the Guided Auto Tour.

While in the Museum answer questions 15 - 18 on your answer card.

Question 15:

See the "After the Battle" display containing a Union Battle Guidon picked up on the battlefield the day of the battle. How many stars are shown on this flag?

Question 16:

See the Drummer Boy of Shiloh display. What was his name and age?

Question 17:

See the "Cannon Roar" display. What was carried in the two buckets you see here?

Question 18:

See the diorama (model scene) showing fighting in the Hornets Nest. How many men are shown firing the cannon?

Hike leaders - refer often to your Trek Map as you follow the Hiking Instructions. A compass may be helpful.

The Shiloh Battlefield Trek begins and will end at the intersection of Eastern Corinth Road and the entrance to Hornets' Nest road (a gravel road.) Park your cars nearby and keep roadway clear.

Map Location 1: Start of Trek

Stop! Look around you. What do you see there in the forest? Listen! What do you hear? Is the wind rustling through the trees? Are there birds singing, crickets chirping - or maybe even a frog croaking in the distance? Smell the fresh forest air.

You are hearing the sounds of the land - seeing a forest at rest. But what happened at this spot almost 150 years ago? What would the sights and sounds have been during the Battle of Shiloh? What would it have been like to smell the air filled with smoke and gunpowder? The movie you saw at the Visitors' Center would help you to imagine the fighting that once shattered the quiet of these woods.

Question 1: What was the date of this fighting?

Map location 2

Follow the nearby path a short distance southeast into the woods. The worn strip by the path is Sunken Road, which once served the needs of the few families that lived along its two mile length. Dust rose from ever-deepening ruts in dry weather to sting the eyes and throats of these who used it. Frequent rains turned the dust into mud, causing iron-rimmed wheels to sink axle-deep as work horses strained against their harnesses. Both the North and the South used roads similar to this one to move long lines of men and supplies from one point to another, but this road was to serve another need. Its deep ruts offered a small amount of protection to hard-pressed Union soldiers who fell back before a deadly line of Confederate guns. This was a place to stop and make a stand while there was still a chance. Union soldiers were shoulder to shoulder along the length of Sunken Road. Here they waited for the wild Rebel charges that they knew would come.  In the hours that followed, some of the most severe fighting of the Civil War took place along this once peaceful farm road.

No question to answer here. Proceed to map location 3

Map Location 3

Follow Sunken road until you see a tall monument for the 31st, Indiana Infantry on the right.  Often it is the land that sets the final rules for a battle and so it was at Shiloh.  The woods may seem thick today both they were even thicker in 1862.  Swift striking cavalrymen watched impatiently as the battle developed both their horses were nearly useless in the thick woods and dense underbrush. Shiloh was to be a battle of infantrymen - a face to face fight between foot soldiers.  Soldiers dropped under the steady hail of bullets that ripped through these woods.  For six long, costly hours the Union forces held along the line of Sunken Road.  some weakened under the deadly Rebel attack and fled to the rear, but for the rest there was little time for thoughts of running.  Load, fire, reload and fire again - these were the only thoughts that remained.  At best, most men could only load and fire their heavy muskets three times in one minute, but that was enough to leave hundreds of dead and wounded scattered across Shiloh's tangled grounds.  Perhaps the losses of the 31st.  Indiana Infantry at this spot will help you to better understand what it was like for the men who once faced each other through these woods.

Question 3: What was the total number of mem lost (killed, wounded, and missing) here by this unit?

Map Location 4

Hike a little further along Sunken Road and you will see a cleared strip leading to the right through the woods. Follow that strip to a monument for the 44th Indiana Infantry. Modern military commanders are seldom farther from help than the nearest two-way radio.  But Civil War leaders had to depend on the speed and skill of a trusted messenger to send for reinforcements. Answers often took hours and even days in coming. Others were erased forever by s sniper's bullet. Poor communications were one reason why Civil War battles were so often fought by long lines of yelling soldiers who charged time and again directly into a deadly wall of enemy shot and shell. Radios were unheard of but the flash of a saber and the sight of a battleflag was all the signal needed by the men who stood in those hard fighting lines. The battleflag played an important role in the fighting at Shiloh. It gave the soldiers a point to line up on and most men would follow it as long as it could be seen through the smoke of the battle. Great pride was placed in a battleflag and many men lost their lives trying to protect their unit flag or trying to keep it moving forward. If a flag bearer was hit another man would immediately sweep the flag from the ground and move on with it. Anyone who carried the flag into battle became a target for every enemy gun but many a soldier ignored this threat as he carried his flag into a hail of enemy bullets.

Question 4: How many of the 44th Indiana Infantry lost their lives here while carrying their battle flag?

Map Location 5: War Cabin

Follow the cleared strip on around until you come out at the edge of an open field.  The old cabin you see across the field stands empty and quiet now, but it wasn't always that way.  Imagine an early morning here a few weeks before the Battle of Shiloh.  A rooster would have welcomed the new day from a nearby tree.  And perhaps a droopy eared hound would have moved from his bed on the front porch  to sniff the fresh morning air.  Soon smoke would curl from the chimney and the aroma of frying bacon would drift across the freshly plowed fields.  Next would come the laughter of children as they arose from their beds in the cabin loft.  Soon breakfast would be over and there would be work to be done.  Spring was on its way and the fields had to be planted or there would be no cotton or wheat or corn when the winter winds came once again.  A few weeks later those fields were pounded under the feet of hundreds of soldiers and torn by the wheels of cannons.  The nearby peach orchard had been prized by those who lived here but the blossoms were cut by bullets that spring to fall softly on the bodies of dead and dying soldiers.  Even the cabin fell - destroyed by fire and exploding cannon balls. The family had escaped but their home was gone.  Still, the land was there and it would grow more crops.  The land was the most important.  The cabin could be rebuilt.  The bullet scarred logs of another cabin were moved here to build the house you see today.  bitter memories remained but life had to go on.  Look closely at the cabin to see how it was built.  Notice how wood pegs were used in place of nails.

Question 5: What was used to make the fireplace and chimney?

Map Location 6: Bloody Pond

Follow the path leading through the woods behind the cabin.  It will lead you to a pond next to a paved road.  The first of three Audio Message Stations you will hike by on this trek is located between Bloody Pond and Hamburg - Savannah Road.  Push the button and listen to this information.  (Note: these stations are not in operation during winter months.)  The first people to see this pond may have been Indians who watched silently from the forest edge in hopes a deer would come to drink.  Much later, settlers depended on the pond for water to fill their daily needs and water their livestock.  the names of those who know and depended on these spring-fed waters have mostly been forgotten.  But the pond itself will be remembered for years to come because of the fighting and suffering which once surrounded it.  Wounded soldiers made their way here to drink and bathe their wounds.  Some were strengthened but many fell face down, never to rise again.  The blood of Yankee and Rebel alike slowly blended to turn the water a deep read.  From that day on the name of Bloody Pond would be a part of American history.

Question 6: On what day did this local citizen visit the battlefield?

Map Location 7

You will find another path at Bloody Pond. Follow it until it turns at the edge of a field. Hike across Wicker Field to reach two cannons and a stone monument which can be seen in the far corner. The monument will be for Illinois Battery F. See your map. Like all wars, the Civil War changed many lives. Husbands, brothers, fathers, and sons marched away to battles such as Shiloh. Many of them never returned. Others returned but were never the same. Still, there were some who never lost their dreams in spit of the hardships of war.

One such man was the captain who commanded the cannon which fired from this spot. He lost an arm at Shiloh but he still went on to become a famous western explorer and a nationally know scientist. This man led the first expedition ever to follow the Colorado River through the rugged and dangerous Grand Canyon. He did with one arm what most men would not have dared with two arms.

Question 7: What was this captain's name?

Map Location 8

Follow the path from the last stop back to a point where it branches to the right. Follow this branch a short distance into the woods and stop.

Thousand upon thousands of men wore the blue and gray uniforms of the Civil War. It was a hard life. Long hours of guard duty and dull camp life were often followed by mile after mile of marching through ankle - deep mud or clouds of choking dust. Days and even weeks sometimes passed without any real fighting but the threat of battle was always there. Soldiers on the move often lived in the open with little or no shelter. A man's gear often dropped to just his musket, the clothes he wore and whatever he could carry in his pockets. A tent and a dry bed became something to dream about during the long hours of a rainy night. Uniforms quickly became worn and dirty and shoes wore paper thin. The biting of lice and fleas added to the discomfort and sickness was always a danger in the crowded camps. Doctors were scarce and a battle wound could mean the loss of a leg or an arm - or worse.

Food was often scarce.  Each man usually gat a small supply of coffee, flour and bacon and the cooking was left up to him.  At times he was hungry.  Remember the cabin you visited and the small mall field you just crossed?  The people who lived there would have owned chickens, pigs and maybe even a cow or two.  It was hard on the farmer, but the small farms sometimes offered the only food available to a fast moving army.

Look at the forest around you. You may see only trees, bushes and small plants, but to a country-born soldier of the Civil Was those same trees, bushes and plants meant as much as a trip to the grocery store or drugstore today. Many nuts, berries, roots and leaves could be eaten. Others could be crushed into a powder and used to treat everything from sore feet to malaria. There were even twigs that could be peeled and rubbed against the teeth to remove tobacco stains. A wood-wise soldier could find dozens of this to make life a little easier.

There is no question for Map Location 8

Map Location 9

Continue along the path to reach two cannons and a yellow oval plaque for Mendenhall's U.S. Army Batteries near where you began your hike. Cannon fire was common during the Civil War but caused only a small part of the casualties at Shiloh. The artilleryman didn't make the shoulder to shoulder charges that the infantryman made but his duties were every bit as dangerous. It was not unusual for the enemy to make a mass charge directly toward a cannon. This was as dangerous for the charging infantry as it was for the artillerymen. An artillery crew sometimes fought hand to hand rather than five up their gun. Hard, backbreaking work filled the life of an artilleryman. A single mistake by any crew member could have cost his life or that of a fellow soldier. The only way to load and fire safely was to put in endless hours of practice and drill no matter where they were or what the weather was.

Question 9: When were Mendenhall's batteries engaged here?

Map Location 10

Return to the center of the gravel road.

You will soon be back to your starting point in the center of the Hornets Nest. Some of the most costly fighting at Shiloh took place in this area and several states have put up monuments to honor their men who fought here. Among the monuments in the center of the Hornets Nest are three showing the Infantryman, Flag bearer and Artilleryman. Read about them. As you look at the statues on the monuments think of them as living soldiers. Try to imagine what they thought and felt during the Battle of Shiloh. Think about how you would have felt if you had been in their shoes. Discuss this with your leader.

Question 10: Locate three monuments which represent the flag bearer, the infantryman, and the artilleryman, in that order. What States sponsored each of these monuments?

Map Location 11: Sunken Road

The next section of your hike will begin back on Sunken Road at a point near the rail fence and the Minnesota Monument. The hundreds of men who crouched behind the twisted rails of this fence knew it would offer only a little protection from the bullets that would come. Shoulder to shoulder they waited with guns aimed across the open field. Then it came! Suddenly the air was filled with the chilling yells of hundreds of charging Confederates. Bullets buried themselves in the fence rails and threw splinters into the faces of the crouching riflemen. The Yankee line fired as a single unit and a deadly wall of shot and shell slammed into the charging Rebel lines. The kneeling soldiers moved back to reload and a second lin3e of riflemen stepped forward to kneel and fire. Time and again the Rebel troops charged toward the thin Union lines but it was no use. Bullets poured from the Sunken Road with the angry whine of a thousand hornets. Those that lived would never forget that whine of the fighting that went on at the place know simply as the "Hornets nest".  Follow the rail fence to its end at Corinth - Pittsburg Landing Road.  (Note the question below)   Stop along the way at the different monuments to read of the losses of the units who held this line.  Crouch behind the rail fence and try to imagine yourself as one of hundreds of soldiers waiting for the charge that could mean death for you or the man next to you. Listen to the audio message located here.

Question 11: How many Iowa monuments did you hike by here.

Map Location 12: Ruggles' Battery

When you reach Corinth - Pittsburg Landing Road, turn and walk across the field to the line of cannons on the other side. Hike across the field near the road but do not walk on the road. See the display of Ruggles' Batteries and listen to the Audio Station. Time and again, long lines of Rebel infantrymen charged across this open field only to be driven back. Each time they left more of their dead and wounded behind on the open field. General Daniel A. Ruggles watched with growing concern. Sunken road had to be taken but it would have to be done in a different way. Messengers were sent out to gather every Southern cannon they could find. By mid afternoon a line of cannons stood nearly hub to hub along the edge of this field. Never before had so many cannons been massed in an American battle. The stubborn Yankee line was unable to hold under the deadly blasting that followed. Southern infantrymen swept across the field once again but this time the enemy could not hold. General Ruggles had made a decision and it had worked. Much time and many men had been lost but the attack was moving once again.

Question 12: How many cannons were there in Ruggles' line?

Map Location 13

Walk down the line of cannons until you come to the plaque for Washington (Louisiana) Artillery.

Question 13: How long was this battery in action here?

Map Location 14

Ruggles line is silent now, but imagine how different the scene would be if you added over 400 artillerymen, over 300 horses and about three times as many cannons as you now see. Add to this the several hundred infantrymen who had been charging across the field and you can get some idea of the confusion that must have existed here. A full Civil War gun crew had as many as eight men to handle all the steps of loading and firing. They used up to six horses to move a cannon and its ammunition cart which was called a caisson. When coupled to its limber the caisson became a four wheeled vehicle. Tools and items necessary for firing the cannon were carried on the limber. There were several kinds of cannon in the same unit and this meant that there had to be several kinds of ammunition to fit them. Look carefully at the two guns in front of you and you will see that they are not the same. The problems of moving a large number of men, horses and cannons were many. General Ruggles knew this when he ordered Southern guns to form along this line, but there was no other choice. A mistake could have meant the loss of hundreds of men but no decision at all could have been even worse.

Continue along Ruggles' line until you come to the plaque for Bankkead's Tennessee Battery.

Question 14: When did this battery go into action here?

Look across the empty field in front of you. What did you think about as you crossed that field a few minutes earlier? Were you thinking of the men who once died there or were you thinking of something else? Tell your leader.

The Trek now goes back across that open field to Sunken Road but this time you will not go as a hiker. You are now a Rebel infantryman standing on line with your fellow soldiers. The fighting has been hard all morning and some of your friends were hit, but you were lucky. You are tired and scared and your shoulder hurts from firing your musket but you will go on. The word coming down the line is that the Yankees have stopped running and are waiting at the edge of those woods. This time there won't be any surprise. They will be ready and the attack will be costly. In fact there may be a gun aimed your way right now.

Look at the men who stand beside you. Will they still be there after the charge or will even your own luck run out before you can cross that field? The command to move up on line cuts short any further thoughts you might have had. Quickly you check your musket to be sure it is ready and the you glance to your right to line up on a battleflag tattered from earlier charges. You look to the left in time to see your commander ride to the front and slowly look up and down the long line of soldiers. The time has come! The commander's saber flashes in the sun and the cry to charge echoes down the line. There is no longer any time for thoughts of fear. You are running now and shouting at the top of your lungs The enemy must be driven back.

MOVE OUT, SOLDIER!

No question to answer here

Final Checkpoint

You should now be back at the rail fence and Sunken Road. You have been hiking over ground where thousands met in some of the hardest fighting of the Civil War. Along the way you have learned of the hardships and problems of both the Civil War Soldier and the land owner who was caught up in the battles. As you hike the short distance back to your cars take a few minutes out to think of the people who fought and lived here. Times have changed many things but what about the people themselves? Were they really any different from you and the people you know today? Tell Your Leader.

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Theater of Conquest: Moscow (Level 4 City Event)

The new Warpath game-mode Theater of Conquest: Moscow (Level 4 City Event) is coming soon with tons of new activities, maps, and rewards!

Theater of Conquest: Moscow

• New snowing city level 4 – Moscow
• Kremlin: This strategic place is the pinnacle of Glory in Moscow, and rests in the heartland of this territory.
• Forts: Forts enable either an attack DMG or DMG Resist Buff for Alliance Members. 4 Forts provide attack buffs and another 4 forts provide resist buffs.
• Settlements: Alliances can capture these to allow its members access to more exclusive Arms EXP and Ammo on the Black Market.
• Blockhouses: These defensive fortifications activate troop durability or troop firepower buffs (Four Blockhouses for each buff).
• Arms Factories: These Factories provide Alliance Members with a 5-star unit every 2 days after 12AM UTC.
• Gold Deposits: Collection sites where commanders can mine Gold.
• New achievement demonstration – seasonal medals, and so many more!

Theater of Conquest: Moscow Participation Processes:

The event takes place in 5 stages: Preselection, Matching, Warm-up, Conquest, and Reward!

Preselection Phase

Alliances in the same server undergo an intense contest for 8 days to decide who will qualify for the Conquest: Moscow.

The top 32 Alliances will be qualified for Conquest: Moscow. The number will vary due to different active player numbers in different servers.

The qualified Alliances will be locked that player cannot join or leave the Alliance, and the Alliance cannot disband. The locking state continues until the end of Conquest: Moscow.

Matching Phase

Your Adversaries will be selected from the qualified Alliances. Groups will be formed with 8 Alliances in each to enter the Conquest.

The matching will only take place within the same server for now.

Warm-up Phase

A Warm-Up Round is held before entering the Battle of Moscow, where alliances contend for alluring buffs.

Conquest Phase

The Warm-Up Round then closes as the War in Moscow kicks off. Alliance Members representing their League in the War can then enter Moscow to fight in the War.

Every 8 Alliances will be assigned into one match for the fights, but only one will win.

While the Conquest: Moscow is in progress, participating Commanders can move into Moscow from cities around the world for free, and can spend 1 Entry Permit to move back to the original city during this phase.

Reward Phase

After the Conquest Phase ends, all Commanders who participated will earn the new officer: Ivan Andreyevich Volkov (Winter Huntsman) , and his beloved dog Shemyaka.

The higher rank you and your Alliance have, the more rewards you will get.

Alliance leaders will be able to assign extra rewards to those who perform the best during Conquest: Moscow.

Download & Play Warpath PC

Avoid lags and battery-draining when doing prolonged combats. Bonus: Play multiple accounts easily !

Download & Play Warpath on PC

Best things to see and do in Moscow

Moscow is the capital of Russia and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Asia. It’s rich and complex history is a constant reminder of its strategic position between Europe and Asia and makes it one of the cities you should visit once in your life. In terms of the many iconic landmarks, the delicious cuisine, and the characteristic, colorful architecture it has, Moscow is full of surprises for first-timers and seasoned travelers. Apart from the main attractions, it has like the Kremlin or Red Square, Moscow has many hidden gems for you to discover on your free walking tour with your local guide. 

On any of the free guided tours we offer in Moscow , you will be able to find a selection of many tours which are available in different languages and at different times of day, like the morning, afternoon, and evening. Since Moscow is such a large metropolis, getting your bearings by doing a guruwalk with a local guide who will show you all Moscow’s hidden gems is a great idea. This way you get to learn as much as possible about the local culture and way of life. A trip to Moscow wouldn't be complete without visiting iconic places like St Basil’s Cathedral, Lenin’s Mausoleum, the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts, or the State Historical Museum, before getting some fresh air at Gorky Park, the medieval church of Kolomenskoye, or shopping at Izmailovsky Market. Don’t miss visiting the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, the Bolshoi Theater, or checking out the Tsaritsyno Museum-Reserve. 

Many travelers have left their r eviews and opinions about the local guides , gurus, and the routes they walked. If you have any questions about the routes or what is included in the tour, check out their opinions. 

Free walking tour near Moscow

Others cities to visit after moscow, where are you traveling to.

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Alerts in effect, an epic contest.

Visit the sites of the most epic struggle in the Western Theater of the Civil War. Nearly 110,000 American troops clashed in a bloody contest that resulted in 23,746 casualties; more casualties than in all of America's previous wars combined. Explore both the Shiloh and Corinth battlefields to discover the impact of this struggle on the soldiers and on the nation. Read More

Things to do at Shiloh National Military Park

Join us for the second part of the Hornets' Nest ranger hike on Saturday, April 27, at 10:00am. Please register in advance.

Join us Memorial Day weekend for a Military History Timeline. See weapons and uniforms from the Revolution through WWII with firing demos.

Join Shiloh for the longest running Memorial Day service in West Tennessee. 11:00 am in the Shiloh National Cemetery.

Last updated: April 17, 2024

Find Your Shiloh in 2024

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1055 Pittsburg Landing Road Shiloh, TN 38376

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