In Their Steps: Battle of Shiloh Anniversary Hikes

Fraley Field: The Bloody Battle Begins
Time: 5:15 a.m. - 7:00 a.m.
Parking: Meet at the Visitor Center at 5:00 am
Distance: Southern Hike - 1 mile roundtrip
Union Hike - 2 miles roundtrip Terrain: Moderate

Join Park Rangers Chris Mekow and Timothy Arnold, on a two-hour battlefield hike which will introduce visitors to the events surrounding the opening shots of the battle. These hikes will travel the approach routes of the Union and Confederate soldiers toward Fraley Field, whose landscape witnessed the first exchange of hostilities and the beginning of the epic Battle of Shiloh. These individual tours will both arrive in Fraley Field at sunrise. Visitors will decide which hike they will follow upon arriving at the Visitor Center. The choices are to follow the Union reconnoitering party ordered out by Colonel Everett Peabody, while the Confederates will approach Fraley Field through the position of the 3rd Mississippi Infantry Battalion.

Green Division Faces Attack: The Failure of Prentiss
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Parking: Park on Side of Peabody Road just before Tour Stop #9
Meet at Tour Stop #9
Distance: 2 Miles
Terrain: Moderately Difficult

The newest division in the Army of the Tennessee was commanded by Brigadier General Benjamin Prentiss. Prentiss was surprised by the attack and held Col. Everett Peabody responsible for bringing on the action. The morning attack on April 6th found the division unprepared to fight a major battle. Some units had just arrived, but some put up stubborn resistance that stunned Confederate forces. This program will end at the camp of the 18th Wisconsin Infantry, where Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston made several fateful decisions. Join Park Ranger Charles Spearman follow the defensive stand of this division and discover their fate.

Car Caravan Tour
Time: 10 a.m. -12 p.m.
Parking: Meet at the Visitor Center
Distance: Entire Battlefield (Driving)

In commemoration of Shiloh’s 160th Battle Anniversary, Park Ranger Matt McMillen will lead a two-hour car caravan tour of the battlefield. This tour will allow visitors the opportunity to follow the battle in the chronological order as it developed. The tour will take visitors to the high points on the battlefield in order to interpret the story of the bloody Battle of Shiloh. While visiting historic sites such as Fraley Field, the Hornets’ Nest, and the Peach Orchard, participants will be afforded the opportunity to ask questions to achieve a better understanding of the epic battle.

Alone of the Left: Stuart’s Brigade at Shiloh
Time: 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Parking: Tent Hospital Site (Tour Stop #16) Distance: 1 ½ miles
Terrain: Moderate

Follow Park Ranger Chris Mekow and trace the actions of Colonel David Stuart’s Brigade as they attempted to protect the entire Union army’s left flank against General James Chalmers’ overwhelming infantry and artillery for several hours. Learn about their struggle, weapons, and adapted tactics as you walk the terrain where this action occurred. Also, learn about the “hard luck” 71st Ohio Infantry Regiment and the controversy surrounding their actions at Shiloh.

Car Caravan Tour
Time: 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Parking: Meet at the Visitor Center
Distance: Entire Battlefield (Driving)

In commemoration of Shiloh’s 160th Battle Anniversary, Park Ranger Matt McMillen will lead a two-hour, accessible car caravan tour of the battlefield. This tour will allow visitors the opportunity to follow the battle in the chronological order as it developed. The tour will take visitors to the high points on the battlefield in order to interpret the story of the bloody Battle of Shiloh. While visiting historic sites such as Fraley Field, the Hornets’ Nest, and the Peach Orchard, participants will be afforded the opportunity to ask questions to achieve a better understanding of the epic battle.

Fighting for the Left: The Confederate Drive toward Pittsburg Landing
Time: 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Parking: Park across from Peach Orchard, Meet at Tour Stop #18
Distance: Approximately 2 Miles
Terrain: Moderate, except for crossing two ravines

The Confederate objective in the Battle of Shiloh was to turn the Union left flank and cut General Grant’s army off from Pittsburg Landing. By the afternoon of April 6th, General Stephen Hurlbut’s Division and parts of General John McArthur’s Brigade stood in the way of this objective. The Union defense led Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston to lead Confederate forces into battle. The struggle to turn the Union left continued through the afternoon until 4:00 p.m. Join Park Ranger Anthony Killion on this tour and explore the severe struggle which occurred on this part of the battlefield.

The Union Center and the Hornets’ Nest
Time: 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Parking: Meet at Tour Stop #10 (Hornets’ Nest)
Distance: 2 Miles
Terrain: Moderate, passing through thick woods and crossing small streams

Join Park Ranger Timothy Arnold to learn about the severe fighting in the famed “Hornets’ Nest” of Shiloh. This hike will discuss the establishment of the area as a Union defensive position, units involved, small arms weapons and artillery used, as well as the truth versus the myth of the life and death struggle in this area. Learn about the Confederate attacks led by Colonel Randall Gibson’s Brigade, the leadership of Generals W.H.L. Wallace and Benjamin Prentiss, and the fate of each officer.

Grant’s Last Line: Stemming the Tide
Time: 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Parking: Visitor Center Parking Lot, Meet in the grassy area in front of the Visitor Center Distance: Approximately 2 miles
Terrain: Easy to Difficult (Roadways, Grass, Dill Branch Ravine, Wooded Trails)

As the Army of the Tennessee gradually fell back during the fighting on April 6, Major General Ulysses S. Grant ordered Colonel Joseph D. Webster to establish a defensive position that would halt the Confederate advance and leave vital routes open for Union reinforcements to arrive. Join Park Ranger Anthony Killion for an approximately two-mile-long hike of this formidable "last line" and get a closer look at the terrain Union soldiers defended and Confederate soldiers assaulted as daylight faded on April 6, 1862. Was this where the outcome of the Battle of Shiloh was decided? Join the hike to learn more.

*Sunscreen, water, and insect repellent is recommended. Severe weather will cancel programs.

*Space is limited to 45 participants per hike.

Fee Information

Always Free