A BGES Civil War Field University Program: Shiloh, A Bloody Battle: Costly Beyond Imagination A Walking Tactical Study of Shiloh and Fallen Timbers

Transcription

1 A BGES Civil War Field University Program: Shiloh, A Bloody Battle: Costly Beyond Imagination A Walking Tactical Study of Shiloh and Fallen Timbers With Jim Ogden The Civil War in early 1862 had no bounds or evidence of how costly it would become. History tells us as many as 800,000 may have died from combat, disease and related wounds; but, in April 1862 on the banks of the Tennessee River, America lost her innocence in a bloodbath never before seen on the North American continent. Descriptive adjectives were inadequate to give people any comprehension of the slaughter and suffering that took place as spring was just beginning to flower. Photography had found battlefields near Washington; but, it had not yet reached the west. Communications were slow and reports slower still. Two primary Union commanders operated under a cloud of suspicion Grant was thought to be a drunk and Sherman was considered by some to be insane. How this came about is part of a sad story that is filled with courage, ineptitude and promise. There are dream tours and then dream tours over the years Jim Ogden s name rises higher than anyone in the Western theater. After a long talk asking him what he wanted to do, he has said he wants to do a systematic study of the western campaigns as he views them. This will be a multi-year series. Knowing how he has approached other tours we have done I consider that this will be a singularly exciting look at the place where the war was won lucky participants should be prepared to walk a lot as he will tutor you in detail on the grounds where this first truly great campaign and battle was fought come prepared he will. Wednesday, March 22, PM: The opening lecture will be a 6 PM at the Quality Inn, Savannah, TN where we will receive Jim s talk on the Great Western Assembly: From Forts Henry, Heiman and Donelson to the Banks of the Tennessee. This will summarize how the western Union generals responded to Lincoln s instance they advance against the enemy and how men such as Grant and Sherman emerged as men of potential. Conversely, we will

2 also see the first great assembly of western Confederate forces in response to this initiative. It is a period of great interest and importance. Dinner is on your own. Thursday, March 23, :15 AM: Depart the hotel en route to Corinth. We will devote ourselves to how the Confederates responded to Union successes in Tennessee and in northwestern Arkansas. The consolidate of forces and commanders brought two full generals Albert Sydney Johnson and PGT Beauregard along with senior officers such as Braxton Bragg, Leonidas Polk and William Hardee to this pivotal and critical railroad town. A controversial and dynamic officer, Nathan Bedford Forrest will further burnish his growing reputation. Many contemporary accounts called this the Battle of Corinth you will understand why. After lunch at a traditional soda fountain shop which features World War II Slug Burgers (meatless fried bread so food could go to the troops many training at Camp Shelby before being sent overseas) and a visit to Van Hedges World Class Corinth Civil War Museum, we will depart Corinth with the Confederate Army of Mississippi and assault the complacent Federals in camp. Our day will finish with the collapse of the first Federal lines near Everett Peabody s Brigade of Benjamin Prentiss s Sixth Division. Lunch included with dinner on your own. Friday March 24, :15 AM: Today is a day on your feet. The Shiloh battlefield and the first day of fighting on April 6th, 1862 cover a massive amount of land. You could and will spend much of the day in the operations against the Hornet s Nest. We will spend considerable time showing how Albert Sydney Johnston tried to drive a wedge between his forces and the Federals left on the Tennessee River. Terrain is a big part of the story and this effort would cost Johnston his life. We will cherish the bittersweet comfort of the Bloody Pond and see how many Federals collapsed under the onslaught while others found and earned their Red Badge of Courage having Seen the Elephant ( a term used to relate to being in combat for the first time.). We will meet Nathan Bedford Forrest and see what it means to ride to the sound of the guns. A special part of the day will be to see the Mississippi Monument recently installed this was single handedly conceptualized, designed and funded through the single purposed efforts of BGES member Kim Johnson Kim typifies what BGES is really all about. We will finish the day on Grant s final line. Lunch provided. Saturday March 25, :15 AM: Jim and I agree the second day of fighting doesn t get the sort of coverage and study that it should. Perhaps like Grant, folks do not really want to spend time seeing how Grant was able to salvage what seemed to be a hopeless

3 cause. The arrival of troops from Major General Don Carlos Buell and Major General Lew Wallace offset the disaster of the 6th with good hard combat ready troops that were facing a bloodied Confederate army with a new commander. The presence of two Union gunboats firing into Dill Branch throughout the night merely wearied the rebel forces. This promises to be a significant tactical walk that shows how and where the Confederates withdrew. We will then look at Forrest s spirited rear guard defense at Fallen Timbers his practically super human efforts there labeled him a man to fear and respect. We will have provided lunch and will also have a farewell meal for dinner. Shiloh is a remote location but still well worth the effort to come. The battlefield is still raw and pristine. Stay the night and depart at leisure or perhaps you can get home on Saturday night if you get going. About the Faculty: Jim Ogden is one of the finest military historians in the country. A preservationist of the first order he is often called upon to lead tours for distinguished visitors to the National Park Service having taking Vice President Cheney and his family around Chickamauga and the region several times. In twenty years, this is the first time we have had him exclusively and privately for a tour of Shiloh. This is a program he wants and asked to do. Knowing his extraordinary preparation and knowledge of the field this will be a singular treat! Hotel Information: Quality Inn 1645 Pickwick Street Hwy. 128 S. Savannah, TN Phone: $72.00 per night plus taxes. Free breakfast each morning. You must reserve by March 10, 2017 to get the group room rate. Reservation under Blue and Gray Education. Transportation: The servicing airport is Memphis. I have also flown into and driven down from Nashville. Both are a good distance from Shiloh and Savannah. If you fly in you will need a rental car. I find Priceline.com works very well for bargain hunters. There is no limo service or other transportation available to the battlefield vicinity. Recommended Reading:

4 You will be provided with a reading book and maps upon arrival. The following books are suggested to enhance your readiness for the program. All prices are inclusive of shipping. Winston Groom: Shiloh 1862 (hardcover) $25 Timothy Smith: Shiloh Conquer or Perish $35 Combat Studies Institute, Staff Ride Handbook for the Battle of Shiloh (From US Army Command and General Staff College) $15 Steven Woodworth, Jefferson Davis and His Generals $25 Registration Form Shiloh, A Bloody Battle: Costly Beyond Imagination A Walking Tactical Study of Shiloh and Fallen Timbers A BGES Civil War Field University Program Presented by Jim Ogden March 22-25, 2017 from Savannah, TN Name: Address: City/State/Zip: Phone: Registration includes three lunches, one dinner, all paid admissions, a reading book with maps, Blue and Gray Magazines featuring the campaign, the academic program, support of a professional historian, tour director and transportation. We will also provide snacks, bottled water and a limited selection of sodas.

5 Registration $795 Current BGES member $725 Teacher/full time student with identification $675 I am not a member but would like to join so that I can get the member s rate or I am a member who is past due to renew. Please accept my donation of $ (must be $75 or more which is tax deductible) Send me the books indicated, I have enclosed $ I am sending a deposit of $250 per person plus full payment for any books and or memberships. Total enclosed is $ I will pay the balance due before the event. Check enclosed Charge my (circle one) MC VISA AMEXP Discover $ # Exp: CVV: Signature: Mail to BGES Seminars, PO Box 1176, Chatham, VA 24531, or fax credit cards to You may also register on line at