Shiloh - "Cry 'Havoc!' and let slip the dogs of war."
1 Day Excursion
Tour Summary
9:00 a.m. - Participants will arrive at the park visitors’ center within the Shiloh National Military Park. There are restrooms and refreshments available via vending machines at this location.
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9:30 a.m. - the group will depart for the tour which will begin just outside the park.
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10:00 a.m. - The tour will begin. The tour follows in the footsteps of the unit of which my second great grandfather, John Henry Coker served in; Company G, 3rd Mississippi Battalion under the command of Major Aaron B. Hardcastle as part of Brigadier General S. A. M. Wood's Brigade. On April 6, 1862, these men spearheaded and played the lead role in one of the greatest battles in the annals of military history. We will move in the shadow of Hardcastle's men as they confront an increasingly stiff resistance as they take one position after another throughout the morning of the first day’s battle.
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12:00 p.m. - We conclude the morning leg of the tour at Rhea Springs at which point we'll halt for a meal.
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Lunch: A BBQ Dinner will be provided at the picnic pavilion.
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1:30 p.m. - At approximately 1:30 pm we will begin the afternoon leg of the tour as we reassemble along the Hamburg-Purdy Road. We'll watch with our mind's eye as Wood's Brigade emerges from the tree line and dashes forward across the road into the Union guns driving the enemy before them and capturing artillery in the process. We'll follow to the site of the epic bombardment of the Union troops by massed Confederate artillery as Hardcastle’s men were ordered to support the line of Ruggles's battery. Eventually Hardcastle's 3rd Mississippi were designated to escort thousands of prisoners as the North's gallant stand in the ‘Hornet’s Nest’ began to falter and ultimately fail. At the site of their surrender, we’ll conclude our tour in front of the Confederate Memorial Monument as we uncover its rich allegorical imagery that testifies of the monumental struggle in the surrounding woods, fields, and farms that was the Battle of Shiloh.
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3:00 p.m. - At approximately 3:00 to 3:30 p.m., our guided battlefield tour, Shiloh - “Cry ‘Havoc!’ and let slip the dogs of war.” will conclude.
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This superimposed photo of 'The bloody Sixth' Mississippi Infantry over a simple still shot of a fenced field gives a ghostly image to help the mind "see" just a sample of the savage struggle of April 6 - 7, 1862 that broke like a storm around a peaceful little church called Shiloh.
Touring Conditions
Outdoors – Prepare accordingly
Restrooms – At visitors’ center and picnic pavilion
Difficulty level – Light to Moderate
Description – Shiloh National Military Park is a remote location. The tour route begins in Wood’s Field at the site occupied by troops of Major General William S. Hardee’s Army Corps. Initially there is walking over mostly level farm field to reach the site of the 3rd Mississippi Battalion. The terrain traversed is like that of pasture or hay field. It was a cotton field at the time of the war but no such cultivation is done these later years. Proceeding from Wood’s Field onto our next stop in Fraley’s Field where we will join a wooded improved path leading to a paved park surface, Reconnoitering Road. From this point on, with only small deviation, we stay on the paved surfaces. Throughout the tour there will be some walking on a gradual uphill grade at times. The walking tour is less than two miles total and would be described as “light” to possibly “moderate” depending on the physical capabilities of the individual. The area is wooded with occasional grassy fields so, although ticks and other insect bites have never been a problem, you are advised to use your own judgement as to the use of insect repellants. Shiloh National Military Park is rural and does have wild animals within its boundary including snakes although none have ever been encountered during our tours nor is it likely as generally speaking wild animals and reptiles have no desire to associate with humans any more than humans care to associate with some of them such as snakes.
