McAllister's Battery Day and Artillery Weekend

News Release Date:
March 27, 2023

Contact: Chris Mekow, 731-689-5696

SHILOH, Tennessee- Shiloh National Military Park will kick off the 161st anniversary of the battle by offering artillery demonstrations on April 1st and 2^nd.

"The Shiloh battle anniversary activities from April 1 through April 15 will be our first signature event for 2023, and we invite everyone to come out to the park and remember the epic battle and the Americans who fought here in 1862," said Acting Park Superintendent Stacy Allen.

On Saturday April 1, Shiloh will present McAllister's Battery Day at the park. Battery D, of the 1^st Illinois Light Artillery, was one of the most conspicuous Federal artillery units that participated in the Battle of Shiloh. Led by Captain Edward McAllister, the unit also had the singular distinction of being armed with 24-pounder Howitzers. The only unit on the battlefield with these weapons.

Living historians will portray McAllister's battery and teach visitors about the unique 24- pounder Howitzers they used in the battle. The crew will display the drill, the movement, and the ammunition used on an original 24-pounder Howitzer from the Starkville Civil War Arsenal.

Park Rangers will lead car caravan tours to McAllister's Monument twice on Saturday. Participants will learn about actions of McAllister's Battery during the battle of Shiloh. All kids who attend this program will receive a McAllister Civil War trading card.

Cannon firing demonstration will be provided by the Shiloh Cannon Crew firing a 6-pounder Field Piece on Saturday, April 1 and Sunday, April 2. Visitors will learn about the implements, projectiles, and tools cannoneers used during the Civil War. Everyone is invited to see and hear a cannon being fired on the battlefield 161 years after the battle. The presentations will be 20- minutes in length with the gun being fired twice during each demonstration.

The following is the complete schedule of weekend events:

Artillery Weekend - McAllister's Battery Day Saturday, April 1, 2023

10:00 am - Organization of McAllister's Battery (at Howitzer)
(Hear about the birth of the battery and its service through the battle of Fort Donelson)

10:30 am - Introduction to the 24-pounder Howitzer (at Howitzer)
(Learn about the cannon and its projectiles and see cannoneers maneuver the gun)

11:00 am - Firing the 6-pounder Field Piece (demo area)
(Experience a firing demonstration by the Shiloh Cannon Crew)

11:30 am - Organization of McAllister's Battery
(Hear about the birth of the battery and its service through the battle of Fort Donelson)

12:00 pm - Introduction to the 24-Pounder Howitzer
(Learn about the cannon and its projectiles and see cannoneers maneuver the gun)

12:00 pm - Car Caravan to McAllister's Monument and talk "Action at Shiloh"
* Meet in front of the Visitor Center

12:30 pm - Firing the 6-pounder Field Piece
(Experience a firing demonstration by the Shiloh Cannon Crew)

1:30 pm - Organization of McAllister's Battery
(Hear about the birth of the battery and its service through the battle of Fort Donelson)

2:00 pm - Introduction to the 24-pounder Howitzer
(Learn about the cannon and its projectiles and see cannoneers maneuver the gun)

2:30 pm - Firing the 6-pounder Field Piece
(Experience a firing demonstration by the Shiloh Cannon Crew)

3:00 pm - Organization of McAllister's Battery
(Hear about the birth of the battery and its service through the battle of Fort Donelson)

3:00 pm - Car Caravan to McAllister's Battery and talk "Action at Shiloh"
* Meet in front of the Visitor Center

3:30 pm - Introduction to the 24-pounder Howitzer
(Learn about the cannon and its projectiles and see cannoneers maneuver the gun)

4:00 pm - Firing the 6-pounder Field Piece
(Experience a firing demonstration by the Shiloh Cannon Crew)

Artillery Weekend Continued Sunday, April 2, 2023

11:00 am - Firing the 6-pounder Field Piece
(Experience a firing demonstration by the Shiloh Cannon Crew)

1:00 pm - Firing the 6-pounder Field Piece
(Experience a firing demonstration by the Shiloh Cannon Crew)

2:30 pm - Firing the 6-pounder Field Piece
(Experience a firing demonstration by the Shiloh Cannon Crew)

For more information on the events taking place at Shiloh in 2023, call the park's Visitor Center at 731-689-5696, go to our website at www.nps.gov/shil, or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ShilohNMP.-NPS-

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