Shiloh National Military Park commemorating 159th anniversary of the Battle of Corinth, Oct. 2-5

Union cannon fire

Shiloh National Military Park is commemorating the 159th anniversary of the Battle of Corinth from Saturday, Oct. 2, through Tuesday, Oct. 5

Saturday’s activities include cannon firing demonstrations, ranger-led programs, and a book signing at the Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center in Corinth, Mississippi. Registration is not required for any Saturday program.

Cannon firing demonstrations are at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon, 1:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. Each demonstration introduces visitors to the implements and ordnance used during the war and demonstrate the duties of wartime cannoneers. The 6-pounder field piece is fired twice during each program.

Several 30-minute ranger led programs will also be offered Saturday:

•10:30 a.m. – Join Daniel Murray of the 1st U.S. Infantry, an Irish immigrant soldier, as he describes his life in the Regular Army during the war.

•11:30 a.m. – Battery Robinett: On Oct. 4, 1862, the small earthen redoubt known as Battery Robinett was the focus of three attacks by Confederate infantry and dismounted cavalry.

•2 p.m. – Civil War nurse Kate Cumming: A young woman from Mobile, Alabama, traveled to Corinth and tended the wounded of both sides.

•3 p.m. – Battery Robinett: On Oct. 4, 1862, the small earthen redoubt known as Battery Robinett was the focus of three attacks by Confederate infantry and dismounted cavalry.

At noon, author John E. Talbot is signing copies of his new work “Recollections of Thomas D. Duncan, A Confederate Soldier” in the Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center.

The following ranger-led programs will be offered from Sunday, Oct. 3, through Tuesday, Oct. 5. Reservations are required for these hikes.

Ranger led hikes offered on Sunday, Oct. 3:

•10-11:30 a.m. – John McArthur and the Fighting on the Union Left Flank: Meet at the visitor center desk. Car caravan and short walks. on pavement and grass.

Brigadier General John MacArthur began the battle without an assignment. Early in the morning of Oct. 3 he was given command of a brigade and by noon he was leading three brigades in the greatest showing of his military career. Ranger Tom Parson leads a driving tour to Alexander’s Crossroads and then return to Corinth with stops at Cane’s Creek, Oliver’s Hill, and Battery F.

•11 a.m. – Battery Robinett: Meet at the visitor center desk for an easy hike of 100 yards on a grassy slope.

On Oct. 4, 1862, the small earth redoubt known as Battery Robinett was the focus of three attacks by Confederate infantry and dismounted cavalry. Located on high ground at the center of the Union’s defensive line, Battery Robinett was key to a Confederate victory and the intensity of the fighting left the area covered with the dead and wounded of both armies. Join Ranger Matt McMillen for an in depth look at the heaviest fighting in the largest battle in the State of Mississippi.

•1 p.m. – Daniel Murray of the 1st U.S. Infantry: Meet at the visitor center desk for an easy 100 yard hike on a grassy slope.

Join Daniel Murray, an Irish immigrant and American soldier, as he describes his life in the Regular Army at the outbreak of the war through the fighting at Battery Robinett. Prior to the Civil War Murray served in Indian Territory and later fought at the Battle of Wilson’s Creek, Missouri. During the Battle of Corinth, he was one of 26 men from Company C, 1st U.S. Infantry, who were manning the heavy artillery inside of Battery Robinett. Join Ranger Tom Parson for the first-person experience.

•2:-4 p.m. – Davies’ Thin Blue Line: Meet at the Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center for a car caravan featuring short distances of easy walking.

On the morning of Oct. 3, Brigadier General Thomas Davies was sent forward by Major General William Rosecrans with confusing orders and 1,500 men to hold the Union right against an attack by Confederate Major General Sterling Price’s Army of the West with 9,000 men.

Overwhelmed at the old Confederate earthworks, Davies would pull back to the White House line to make a stand. Aided by hard fighting, intense heat, and Confederate command confusion, Davies’ men would hold until relieved at 4:30 p.m. During this stand Brigadier General Charles Hamilton would have a perfect opportunity to attack the exposed Confederate left flank.

Due to a series of confused orders and Hamilton’s lack of initiative, the attack would be bungled and occur too late. The car caravan led by Ranger Charlie Spearman travels to the site of the Confederate earthworks of the old Beauregard Line and the site of the fighting at the White House fields.

•2:30 p.m. Civil War nurse Kate Cumming: Meet at the visitor center desk for an easy 100 yard hike on a grassy slope.

Kate Cumming was a young woman of Mobile, Alabama who defied the expected role of a woman of society.

She traveled to Corinth in the wake of the Battle of Shiloh and tended the wounded of both sides. Her insight and experiences were recorded faithfully in her diary. Join Ranger Ansley Moore for a glimpse into the life of this remarkable woman.

•3:30 p.m. – Battery Robinett: Meet at the visitor center desk for an easy 100 yard hike on a grassy slope.

On Oct. 4, 1862, the small earth redoubt known as Battery Robinett was the focus of three attacks by Confederate infantry and dismounted cavalry.

Located on high ground at the center of the Union’s defensive line, Battery Robinett was key to a Confederate victory and the intensity of the fighting left the area covered with the dead and wounded of both armies. Join Ranger Anthony Killion for an in depth look at the heaviest fighting in the largest battle in the State of Mississippi.

Ranger led hikes offered on Monday, Oct. 4:

•9:30 a.m. – Battery Robinett: Meet at the visitor center desk. Join Ranger Matt McMillen for an in depth look.

•10:30 a.m. to noon – Battery Powell and the Confederate Breakthrough: Meet at the visitor center desk for a one mile hike across grassy slopes, paved streets and sidewalks.

Join Ranger Tom Parson for a walk focusing on the Confederate attack on Davies’ Division and the breaking of the Federal line at Battery Powell.

Details include the attack of Green’s Division and the breakthrough at Battery Powell; the collapse of DuBois’s line; street to street fighting; the Confederates reach the railroad crossroads; the flank attack of the 5th Minnesota.

The walk begins at the visitor center, proceeds to the site of Battery Powell, turns south and through the historic district to Trailhead Park. Visitors have the option of returning to the interpretive center or visiting the Depot Museum or the Coca-Cola Museum.

•1:30 p.m. – Lt. Charles Labuzan at Battery Robinett Meet at the visitor center desk for an easy 100 yard hike on a grassy slope.

The Confederate assaults against Battery Robinett were unparalleled in their ferocity.

Lt. Charles Labuzan of the 42nd Alabama Infantry wrote a graphic description of his experience on the slope in front of the fort. Left in a precarious position on the field between the second and third attacks he saw his comrades cut down around him. “Oh God, I have never seen the like, the men fell like grass.”

Join Ranger Timothy Arnold for an exciting account of that tragic morning.

•2 p.m. – Battery Robinett: Meet at Battery Robinett for an easy hike of 40 yards on a grassy slope. Join Ranger Matt McMillen for an in depth look at the heaviest fighting in the largest battle in the State of Mississippi.

•2:30 p.m. – Daniel Murray of the 1st U.S. Infantry: Meet at Battery Robinett for an easy hike of 40 yards on a grassy slope. Join Ranger Tom Parson.

Ranger hikes offered on Tuesday, Oct. 5:

•9:30 a.m. to noon – Davis Bridge and Young’s Bridge: Meet at the Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center for a car caravan of about 35 miles and short distances of easy walking.

On the morning of Oct. 5, a small Confederate force which had been left behind to guard wagons was met at the Hatchie River by two brigade of Union infantry and artillery. The Federals were on their way to reinforce the garrison at Corinth and ended up blocking Van Dorn’s retreat.

This car caravan stops at the site of Van Dorn’s camps in Chewalla, the site of Young’s Bridge on the Tuscumbia River, Metamora Ridge, and the site of Davis Bridge on the Hatchie River. Join Ranger Tom Parson and learn of the final engagement of the Corinth campaign.

•2 p.m. – Battery Robinett: Meet at the visitor center desk for an easy hike of 100 yards on a grassy slope. Join Ranger Laura Lee McKellips.

Visitors are asked to register in advance for all ranger led programs taking place between Oct. 3 and Oct. 5. Call 662-297-9273 to pre-register. All tours are free and open to the public.

Facilities at the Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center are open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.