“Somethings changed inside me. It sure can happen fast–standing in the presence of the past”

Those are the words from Darryl Worley’s song Shiloh, and they couldn’t describe any better how I feel after visiting this sacred, yet solemn place. It is one thing to listen to a song about history, or to read a book or website about a historic event, but it is completely another to actually walk the very ground where that event occurred.

I have been a history lover all of my life, because I feel that, if we forget history we are destined to repeat it, and I don’t want to be a part of that. I have read many a book, watched many a movie, and written a couple of papers on historic American events, but never have I actually been able to stand on the ground where those events occurred. I have never felt such pride and sorrow all at one time. I know pride is a strange word to use to describe my feelings associated with Shiloh, but it is true. There is some pride that goes along with the tragedy that happened here. That pride comes from the shear truth, that despite the horrors that took place here, that this and many other civil war battles helped shape this country to what it is today. A country that all of you know I’m very proud of.

The minute we pulled into the park, and stepped out of the car, there was an immediate lump in my throat, and a very distinct feeling in the air. I swear the soft breeze that crosses your face has many hidden voices that lie within it. I could swear that the wind speaks to you at Shiloh. I wish everyone could stop and listen to that wind just once in their life and realize the things that occurred on this ground.

I stood where the 12th Michigan, led by Col. Francis Quinn, stood as they tried to fight off the Confederate surprise attack that Sunday morning/afternoon at the “Sunken road”. I tried to imagine what it must of felt like. My eyes could see the cannon that was Ruggle’s battery, and if I listened close I could almost here the blast from the 62 cannons that were aimed to force them from their line. Just as I was picturing this that soft wind brushed across my face and began speaking to me once again. It is now the only voice, of the men who perished here, whispering its way through the trees. To think I could have been standing in the very spot where some young soldier from my home state lost his life fighting for a cause that he believed in. It is a feeling I will never forget.

I tried to imagine what it was like for all of these men. Some of them had never even saw battle before and for them to be thrust into this scene is simply amazing. I know not how they managed to muster up enough courage to fight on. The thing with the civil war battles is that men, who once could have been friends or relatives, now are on opposite sides fighting for what they think is best for the country. They share very different ways of thought, but yet both are fighting for a cause they think is just: A country that they love. I can not even imagine what that must have felt like.

I saw, and stood, next to the bloody pond where wounded soldiers went to get there last drink of water, and where the sheer number of dead and wounded turned the pure spring fed pond into a dark maroon. Such a solemn place and to try and imagine dead, dying, and wounded men and animals surrounding this silent calm pond was very surreal and I felt an immediate sadness.

I know that I am permanently changed by my visit to Shiloh. I also think, that despite the horrific scene of events that happened here, that this change is for the good. By walking this ground I have been able to take a piece of it with me and that will help me to never forget. A moment in time, when brave men stood to do battle to protect a country that all of us still love so much.

If I close my eyes I can still feel that soft breeze brush lightly across my face. Those voices I, nor any of us, should ever forget.

Author’s note: I have plenty of different posts I can do on my visit to Shiloh. There are many different places at the park that I would love to highlight. I know this is an outdoor site so I wanted to get some feedback from all of you on if you would be interested in a Shiloh series so to speak. Please let me know what you think.

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