I took a little tour of Shiloh

[Sundance]

Back in the fall me and the misses took a ride up to Shiloh Tn.  about 100 miles north of Ft. Sundance Ms.
I stood on a battle field on the southern side with what looked like 100 cannons pointed at the yankee side which was no more than 300 yards away and no less than 100 cannons pointed my direction with open ground between the to forces .
I know in my younger days I was full of fight for the cause  ... 
but let me tell ya fellows the strangest feeling came over me when I relized what happen right here . and being the wiser older coot I am these days  Humbleing is the only word to describe the way I felt as tears filled my eyes thinking about what had took place on that field .
The Southern boys had independence from the Union in their minds and freeing the South from Nothern control ...nobal cause
The yankee boys were being told they were fighting to free all men from slavery ...noble cause
I`m afraid I would have just layed my rifle on the ground and walked home ......or would I  ?    standing on those battle fields is something every man should do , it shines a whole new light on the subject .   lets pray we are never asked to that again .

[Smokin_Gun]

Sounds like a a real eye opening expiriance Sundance. I've yet to get to the closest fort to me it would be Fort Tajon ... in the Tehachapis.
Have come across Old American Indian Villages, Abobe Houses ect... but no Battlefiellsd Sites like Shilo... That must a been a bewilderin' experiance.
Good description of what you felt there Sundance...tryin' to put myself there in my present state of bein'/age. I'd stay but think I'd be with the Cannon Cockers sayin' FIRE!
 

[StrawHat]

I grew up in Maryland and got to visit many of the battlefields as a youth.  As an adult I made my living as a traveling carpenter and got to visit some of them again.  A much more sobering visit when seen through the eyes of one with something to lose. 

[Peckerhead]

I have been to Gettysburg and walked all over that place, it is hard to take it all in. Lot of plaques to read, it is such a beautiful place to have so many men die there.

[Cpl. Hemphill C.S.A.]

I get that same feeling when I visit Vicksburg. You have to use your imagination a little bit to see what the trees now hide. It amazes me how much courage(or insanity) it took to attempt to capture the city by force. Vicksburg was a natural fortress for the Confederate forces but that also meant it was impossible to escape.

I also had the honor of participating in a reenactment on the original battlefield ground at Brice's Crossroads. That Saturday evening rigth about dark a heavy fog rolled in across the battlefield as I went out for a walk. I swear I could feel the spirits of the brave men that fought so gallantly on that hallowed ground. I had to stop for a few to wipe the tears from my eyes before heading to camp.

[Krash]

I went to Shiloh myself once. Saw the cannons you are talking about and you are correct. It IS a very sobering sight. I shed a few tears when I sw the Bloody Pond and the mass grave where they dumped about 700 of my GreatGrandfathers fellow soldiers. Had a nice Union cemetary for the winners and a big hole in the ground for the losers. got me a touch riled up  but wasn't anything I could do about it except invent a time machine and take a few big .50 Brownings back with me.