Shiloh National Military Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shiloh National Military Park |
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 Shiloh National Military Park
Location in Tennessee
Shiloh National Military Park
Location in Mississippi
Shiloh National Military Park
Location in the United States
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| Location | Shiloh, Hardin County, Tennessee & Corinth, Mississippi, US |
| Nearest city | Savannah, Tennessee |
| Area | 3,996.64 acres (16.1738 km2) |
| Established | December 27, 1894 |
| Visitors | 315,296 (in 2005) |
| Governing body | National Park Service |
| Website | Shiloh National Military Park |
| Shiloh National Battlefield | |
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IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
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| Governing body | National Park Service |
Shiloh National Military Park helps us remember and learn about two important battles from the American Civil War. These battles were fought at Shiloh and Corinth. The main part of the park is in a small town called Shiloh, in Tennessee. It's about 9 miles (14 km) south of Savannah, Tennessee. There's also another part of the park in Corinth, Mississippi, which is about 23 miles (37 km) southwest of Shiloh.
The Battle of Shiloh was the start of a six-month fight for a very important railroad crossing in Corinth. After this battle, the Union Army marched from Pittsburg Landing to take control of Corinth. They did this in May during a long attack called a siege. Later, in October, the Confederate States Army tried to take Corinth back, but the Union forces held strong.
The park has a visitor center where you can see exhibits and watch films. You can also take a self-guided car tour to explore the battlefield.
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The Battle of Shiloh
The Battle of Shiloh was one of the first really big battles in the western part of the American Civil War. This battle lasted for two days, on April 6 and April 7, 1862. Around 65,000 Union soldiers fought against about 44,000 Confederate soldiers. The Union troops were led by Ulysses S. Grant and Don Carlos Buell. The Confederate troops were led by Albert Sidney Johnston, who was killed in the battle, and then by P.G.T. Beauregard.
Nearly 24,000 soldiers were killed, wounded, or went missing during these two days. Neither side won a clear victory on the battlefield itself. The Union army stayed on the battlefield, but they didn't chase the retreating Confederate forces. However, it was a big loss for the Confederates because it stopped their plan to stop the Union army from moving through Tennessee. After the Battle of Shiloh, the Union forces were able to capture Corinth and its important railroad hub.
The battlefield gets its name from a small log church called Shiloh Methodist Church. This church was close to Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee. Pittsburg Landing was where the Union soldiers landed their boats to start the battle. Because of this, the Union soldiers sometimes called it "The Battle of Pittsburg Landing."
- Shiloh Military Park Landmarks
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Iowa Monument
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The Sunken Road
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Confederate Memorial
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Shiloh National Cemetery
About the Park
Shiloh National Military Park was created on December 27, 1894. It was first managed by the War Department. In 1933, the park was moved to the care of the National Park Service. All historic places managed by the National Park Service are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Shiloh was added to this list on October 15, 1966.
On September 22, 2000, areas related to the Corinth battlefield were added to the park. These include sites from the First and Second Battles of Corinth. The Siege and Battle of Corinth Sites was named a National Historic Landmark in 1991.
Visitor Center Activities
At the visitor center, you can see permanent exhibits and watch films about the battles. There are also displays to help you learn more. You can take a self-guided 12-mile car tour. This tour stops at important places like the Peach Orchard, the Hornet's Nest, and the spot where General Johnston died.
Shiloh National Cemetery
Shiloh National Cemetery is located in the northeast part of the park. It is right next to the visitor center. This cemetery is 20.09 acres in size. It holds the graves of 3,584 Union soldiers. Of these, 2,357 are unknown soldiers. These soldiers were re-buried here after the cemetery was created in 1866. Only two Confederate soldiers are buried in this cemetery. The cemetery was also moved from the War Department to the National Park Service in 1933. Many unknown Confederate soldiers are buried in large graves throughout the park.
Shiloh Indian Mounds Site
Inside the Shiloh battlefield, you can also find the very old and well-preserved Shiloh Indian Mounds Site. This site is also a National Historic Landmark. People lived here during the Early Mississippian period. This was from about 1000 to 1450 CE.
