Shiloh Battle Map, the morning of April 6, 1862

SHILOH BATTLEFIELD TOUR STOP #9

After failing to stop the Confederates about a quarter mile south of the most forward Union camps, Prentiss’s and Peabody’s men retreated back to their camps, most of which lay along what is now called Peabody Road. Here they made another defensive attempt to stop the incoming tide of Confederates (by this time fighting had also reached Sherman’s troops at Shiloh Church). However, many of the soldiers who did not take place in the initial fighting had no idea that Confederates were on the way. Many were still in bed, while others were eating breakfast. Entire camps were taken totally by surprise.

With many men unprepared to fight, the Union defensive line once again crumbled, and the routed troops fled back towards the Hamburg-Purdy Road in the general direction of Pittsburg Landing. Many of the soldiers where in such a hurry to escape that they did not take any of their possessions, which resulted in a great windfall of supplies, clothing, and food for the Confederates. However, their plundering halted progress and gave the Union soldiers time to get away and regroup.

Pleas for reinforcements by Sherman and Prentiss had reached the more experienced men of Grant’s army, all of who had been camped further to the rear. Divisions lead by generals John McClernand, Stephen Hurlbut, and William Wallace set up a second line along the Hamburg-Purdy Road and attempted to assist Sherman and Prentiss.

There is an information panel at this stop on the Shiloh National Military Park battlefield tour, as well as a memorial to Colonel Everett Peabody who was killed after being shot in the head. Peabody was the one who had sent out the scouting patrol that first encountered the Confederates at Fraley Field and ultimately started the Battle of Shiloh. Because he never consulted Prentiss, the General vowed to hold him personally responsible for starting the battle. Getting shot in the head got him out of any such trouble.