Shiloh Log Church

Shiloh Log Church, built in 1851 and named from the biblical term for Shiloh, "Place of Peace," gave its name to the Battle of Shiloh and stood at the center of some of the fiercest fighting yet seen in the Civil War. On Sunday morning, April 6, 1862, the quiet woods and fields around this small Methodist church erupted into battle when the Confederate Army under General Albert S. Johnston attacked the Union division of General W.T. Sherman camped at this location. Union troops tried to hold the high ground by the church while Confederates sought to drive the Federals into the Tennessee River. After several hours of intense fighting, the entire Federal Army under General U.S. Grant slowly withdrew toward Pittsburg Landing, leaving many dead and wounded from both sides in this area. By early afternoon, General P.G.T. Beauregard assumed command of the Confederate Army after Johnston's death and established his headquarters near the church, directing the battle from there. By nightfall, Shiloh Church also served as shelter for many wounded and dying men from that day's fighting. On the following day, April 7, the church again became a critical location when the Confederate Army began its slow retreat back to Corinth, with Beauregard and his staff directing the retreat from this area. The original log church was destroyed during the battle. The present log church is a near exact replica built with hand-hewn logs approximately 150 years old from this area; work began in 1999 under the direction of the Shiloh Sons of Confederate Veteran Camp #1454 and Shiloh Methodist Church and was completed in 2001 with support and donations from sons and daughters of Union and Confederate veterans, Shiloh Methodist Church, Shiloh National Military Park, and numerous other supporters.

Shiloh, Tennessee · United States