In the Presence of the Past-Visiting Shiloh Military Park
This next post, is indeed, not your normal outdoor site post. It does not cover hunting, nor fishing, but does cover an event that happened outside that should never be forgotten. A particular time and place in American history that is well preserved.
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“A mist halo’s the meadow, and a soft wind breeze whispers through the trees”
With that single line from country singer, Darryl Worley, I was hooked. As I continued to intently listen to the rest of the song, the story unfolded in front of my eyes. I knew this particular song must be about the civil war, but once I checked the disk for the name of the particular song, it didn’t ring a bell for me. Shiloh? I didn’t remember that name in history class. With a little help from google I tracked down what Mr. Worley was speaking of. The Battle of Shiloh.
Ever since the first few lines of that song I have been hooked. I am a complete history buff and a sworn patriot, so to get me hooked on something that has a direct relationship with how 
America was formed, and how it has evolved, is not hard to do. Normally you will find me reading about WWII, since my grandfather took part in that war, but Shiloh, the song and the battle, stirred something inside me. It was a different feeling about history then I’ve ever felt before.
My wife then picked me up, Jeff Shaara’s Civil War Battlefield’s, for Christmas. Much to my excitement Shiloh was the first covered battle in the book. Mr. Shaara also takes the time, in this great guide to civil war battles, to explain how the battle was important and what pertinent things you should take in on your trip to Shiloh. I also visited the National Parks Service site for the Shiloh battlefield-checking out photos, reading some of the history, and finding out the exact location. Immediately I was planning the trip.
I have never been to a civil war battlefield before and my plan had always been to visit Gettysburg first. After this particular song, and all the research I’ve done, that plan has changed. I’m not sure why, but something in the song makes me feel like it is my calling to visit Shiloh. That my calling is to visit this sacred place. I can’t explain the feeling that comes over me, but it is strong. I need to witness first hand the different places and aspects of the battle. From the Hornet’s Nest, to the Sunken Road, to the Peach Orchard, and Bloody Pond. Something from within screams for me to visit this hallowed ground. I need to stand on the very ground where the battle took place and take in everything that surrounds it.
I believe that everyone should take the time to visit and appreciate places like Shiloh. We must never forget where we came from and the sacrifices and events that have lead us to be able to live how we live our lives today. History, if forgotten, will repeat itself. History, if forgotten, will be lost upon the next generation who need to appreciate it and respect it more than anyone.
If I had my way I would be standing on the Shiloh battlefield tomorrow. Unfortunately all of us have prior responsibilities that we must attend to. Hopefully by next summer I will actually be able to set foot on the very ground that Darryl Worley sang so passionately about. Making my way through the park and standing in the very place where young men once stood. Where they were ready to sacrifice everything for a cause that they felt was just, even though, to quote the song again:
“From the looks of this ol’ graveyard, hell nobody really won.”
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O.k., that post gave me the shivers. Very powerful.
I’ve been to Gettysburg. I can’t say I’m a military historian, or even that much interested in battles that are past, but there is a profound sense of history that can be felt when you stand on that ground.
I can’t wait to read the post you write when you actually go to Shiloh.
Vicksburg and Shiloh are must visits for everyone that wants to learn about the Civil War. I have visited these and Gettysburg and I was not impressed with Gettysburg which I figured would be the most dramatic of the three.
come visit this summer, maybe I will meet you there.
I have deep respect for history buffs. I want to be a history buff, but I can’t pull it off. However, have you ever read “A People’s History of the United States”?
I’ve only been to one battlefield and that was Gettysburg. The most solemn experience I had was at Devil’s Den at dusk when someone on one of the hills nearby started to play Taps (real person, not a ghost). The second would be when I scoured the nearby hill to find marker where the troops from Michigan just so I could see where they fought.
I would, however, like to visit Shiloh.
I agree with you! We can’t forget the events in history that got us here today. My parents are war buffs too, they took us to may battle sites as kids and I loved it!
This post may not be about hunting, but I really loved it!
Very cool post… we live right in the middle of the path that Sherman took when he marched to the sea, so we are loaded with important Civil War sites. I too love studying our country’s history as well as visiting these sacred places.
Please feel free to post more about this topic!
As a civil war buff I can relate to your words and thoughts. My great great great grandfather fought at Gettysburg with the Union Cavalry.
This was a very good post and the pictures were awesome. Thanks for sharing.
[...] In case you couldn’t tell by the post title, I’m really excited. It is Spring Break for me starting today, and the wife and I are heading down to Tennessee. I’m on a mission to fulfill my Outdoor Intention no. 3. [...]
This is a trip you will NEVER forget. I’m a civil war history nut. I was born in the south (eventually moved to Michigan) and had family that fought in the Civil War (we call it the War of Northern Aggression, LOL), but seriously that is the most amazing place I have ever been. I have been to a lot of the bigger Civil War battlefields, but there is something special about this place. I have a book that was written from actual letters from the soldiers that fought there. After reading those first hand accounts and then to visit those places, you can’t come from there with any other feeling but being humbled. When I came across mass graves of over 700 Confederat soliders I kneeled and cried, when I got to the bloody pond, I dipped my hand into the water and it felt as thick as blood! I stood in the sunken road where the battle took place what an awe inspiring sight to behold. And lastly walking through the peach grove, with the blooms on the trees just as it was during the battle, I visited the same day in April when the battle took place it was as if you could smell the burnt powder. No other place has had an effect on me such as Shiloh. It is a trip I will never forget.
Hi
I have been to Vicksburg and gettysburg but I have not been to Shiloh. I like to one day. We must not for get the civilwar.