Shiloh National War Park

As I walked along the trails in the park it was hard to believe the destruction, fear, death and sorrow that took place on April 6 & 7, 1862. Today it was peaceful, quiet and beautiful in it's own way. While hiking around the "hornet's nest" area I felt the most unusual and peaceful quiet stillness, was almost eerie.

"The ground was strewn with the dead of the enemy and our own, mangled in every conceivable way"

 





Enjoy my photos, left click to enlarge.

 

Ruggles Battery, cannons along this ridge bombarded union troops in the Hornet's Nest

 

The state of Illinois lost more troops than any other state.

Shiloh total casualties of 23,746 are memorialized in over a 100 monuments.   

 

Shiloh Church

 

Small creeks ran red with blood from wounded and dying soldiers.

 

Today the creeks are surrounded by wild flowers and lush green foliage

 

 Fraley Field where the first shots of the battle were fired. Confederate soldiers engaged a Union patrol at 4:55 AM.

"Sunken Road" borders the Hornet's Nest. The Hornet's Nest is on the left and behind me in this photo. Named the "Hornet's Nest" by Confederate soldiers because of the stinging shot and shell they faced here. Sounded like a hornet's nest.

On the ridge across the field and through the trees is where Confederate cannons were lined up bombarding the Hornet's Nest 

 

Memorial for Union soldiers of Minnesota at Hornet's Nest.

 

Confederate Memorial for soldiers of Tennessee.

156 monuments, 217 cannons and 650 historic tablets decorate the 4400 acres overlooking the Tennessee river. 

 

W. Manse's cabin, farmers that left area during the battle and return afterwards to their destroyed home.

Albert Sidney Johnston, General of the Confederate army and considered by many to be the south top general was hit by a stray bullet near here and bled to death. He is the highest ranking American to ever be killed in combat. 

 

 

Bloody Pond. Throughout the battle, soldiers from both sides came here to drink and bathe their wounds. Both men and horses died at he pond, their blood staining the water.

 

Water Oaks Pond. Confederate General P.G.T. Beauregard hurled several desperate assaults into Grant's counteroffensive through and around this pond. With chances for victory gone he withdrew his confederate army to Corinth. 

Looking down the bore of cannon at Ruggles' Battery

 

Tennessee River where Grant, with well over a 100 barges and riverboats, brought his army down to Pittsburg landing. Planning to attack Confederates at Corinth but was surprised at Shiloh.

Pittsburg Landing today with a barge being guided down the river by a tugboat.

 

 

1000's of soldiers rest here and there are many mass graves on the battlefield.

So sad to think of all the mothers, sisters, children and wife's that never heard from there loved ones again and couldn't even visit their grave site.

  

Nashville, The Grand Ole Opry

We went to 2 opry shows, the first one was headlined by Carrie Underwood and Trace Adkins and others.......great show. Second show featured Jeannie Seely, Connie Smith, Bill Anderson, Kathy Mattea, Mark Wills, Alison Krauss and more. I only took photos of the second show we attended.
Left click to enlarge, enjoy.

Let the show begin, great seats.

Jeannie Seely introducing Jesse McReynolds and some good blue grass music.

A new group that's been opening for Brad Paisley. The Henningsens, sister, brother father and band, great sound, great voice.

Whispering Bill Anderson

Kathy Mattea and the Whites

 

Mark Wills, sang a couple of the hits he has written.

 

Alison Krauss.......amazing talent. Had goosebumps when she sang.



Back to Nashville

Alan Jackson featured at Country Music Hall of Fame.

Opry award when inducted into the Grand Ole Opry

Part of AJ display at CMHOF

Letter to Alan Jackson from George Jones

An etching of a younger Alan Jackson

Part of Memorial to George Jones, guitar has signatures of all the artists that performed at The "Last No Show" tribute concert held at Bridgestone Arena last November honoring George Jones. 

Carol trying to hide from me inside a giant Gibson

Country Music Hall of Fame



Hershey's Chocolate World

Oops! found some photos I intended to post so its back to Hershey's for one more post then back to Nashville.
Warning.....if you like chocolate you should not go to Hershey's.....:)

Hey Carol! I don't think this is a good idea.....

Ok boys, here is a s'more. About 2 feet by 4 feet.

These little human candy bars may give me nightmares.

Statue of Mr. Hershey and a young man at the school he and his wife founded. All Hershey profits go to  this school. Kids from all over the U.S. attend. Amazing facility.





Nashville

After leaving Hershey our next extended stay was Nashville. After our 6th year we finally find out some of the best music and entertainers aren't just on Broadway or at the Opry.
Left click photo to enlarge.

The Mother Church of Country Music

Inside Tootsies

Carol and Pam sitting at the table where many great country songs were written by Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Tom T Hall  and more.

Country music entertainment, non-stop at Tootsies

Great way to visit and tour Broadway. Drinking beer and pedaling.

Broadway from 2nd floor of Rippys. ATT building (batman) and look close, you can see the CMT building (Country Music Television), roof of the Ryman behind Tootsies. The Legends, Tootsies, Roberts, The Stage and many more honky tonks.

Trucks and equipment at the Ryman, filming and episode of "Nashville" in the Ryman  this day.

Kree Harrison (American Idol) singing at 3rd and Lindsley. A wonderful place we found for great music.

Vince Gill and the "Time Jumpers", WOW! what a show. A group of the greatest musicians in Nashville. Vince Gill was great, very relaxed in shorts, golf shirt, hat and flip flops singing and picking for 2 hours. Check out Time Jumpers on Utube.