161st Battle of Corinth Anniversary Events

News Release Date:
September 20, 2023

Contact:Chris Mekow, 731-689-5696

"Shiloh National Military Park will commemorate the 161^st anniversary of the battle of Corinth with events on the weekend of September 30 and October 1, and ranger led hikes on October 3, 4, and 5," Superintendent Catherine Bragaw announced today.

Our weekend events on Saturday, September 30 and Sunday, October 1, will include cannon firing demonstrations, 30-minute ranger-led programs, and a special temporary exhibit featuring artifacts, photographs, weapons and more, from the 14^th Missouri/66^th Illinois Regiment, also known as Birge's Western Sharpshooters.

Cannon firing demonstrations will take place on Saturday at 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, and 2:30 pm, and on Sunday at 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm. Each demonstration will introduce visitors to the implements and ordnance used during the war and demonstrate the duties of wartime cannoneers. The 6-pounder field piece will be fired twice during each program. Hear the roar and smell the black powder.

Birge's Western Sharpshooters or just Western Sharpshooters was one of the most unique and hardest fought regiments of the Civil War. Made up of men from several midwestern states, it was envisioned as a specialized unit of marksmen and skirmishers as a pet project of General John C. Fremont. The Sharpshooters would fight at both the Battle of Shiloh and Battle of Corinth.

Items visitors will experience in the Western Sharpshooters exhibit include photographs, letters, equipment, personal items, and the specialized weapon the unit used, the Dimick Rifle. Also on display for the first time in Corinth will be an unpublished hand drawn map of Camp Davies in Corinth. The exhibit will be open in the Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm on Saturday and 8:00 am - 3:00 pm on Sunday.

Several 30-minute ranger led programs will be offered on Saturday, September 30:

10:30 am - Daniel Murray of the 1st U.S. Infantry Join Daniel Murray, an Irish immigrant soldier, as he describes his life in the Regular Army at the outbreak of the war through the fighting at Battery Robinett. Prior to the Civil War, Daniel served in Indian Territory and later fought at the Battle of Wilson's Creek, Missouri. During the Battle of Corinth, he was one of 26 men from Company C, 1st U.S. Infantry, who were manning the heavy artillery inside of Battery Robinett. Join Ranger Tom Parson for the first-person experience.

11:30 am - Battery Robinett. On October 4, 1862, the small earthen redoubt known as Battery Robinett was the focus of three attacks by Confederate infantry and dismounted cavalry. Located on high ground at the center of the Union's defensive line, Battery Robinett was key to a Confederate victory and the intensity of the fighting left the area covered with the dead and wounded of both armies. Join Ranger Anthony Killion for an in depth look at the heaviest fighting in the largest battle in the state of Mississippi.

2:00 pm - Civil War Nurse: Kate Cumming. Kate Cumming was a young woman of Mobile, Alabama who defied the expected role of a woman of society. She travelled to Corinth in the wake of the Battle of Shiloh and tended the wounded of both sides. Her unique insight and experiences were recorded faithfully in her diary. Join Ranger Laura Lee McKellips for a glimpse into the life of this remarkable woman.

3:00 pm - Battery Robinett. On October 4, 1862, the small earthen redoubt known as Battery Robinett was the focus of three attacks by Confederate infantry and dismounted cavalry. Located on high ground at the center of the Union's defensive line, Battery Robinett was key to a Confederate victory and the intensity of the fighting left the area covered with the dead and wounded of both armies. Join Ranger Tom Parson for an in depth look at the heaviest fighting in the largest battle in the state of Mississippi.

Ranger programs being offered on Sunday, September 1, will be:

10:30 am - Battery Robinett. On October 4, 1862, the small earthen redoubt known as Battery Robinett was the focus of three attacks by Confederate infantry and dismounted cavalry. Located on high ground at the center of the Union's defensive line, Battery Robinett was key to a Confederate victory and the intensity of the fighting left the area covered with the dead and wounded of both armies. Join Ranger Anthony Killion for an in-depth look at the heaviest fighting in the largest battle in the State of Mississippi.

2:30 pm - Kate Cumming: Civil War Nurse. Kate Cumming was a young woman of Mobile, Alabama, who defied the expected role of a woman of society. She travelled to Corinth in the wake of the Battle of Shiloh and tended the wounded of both sides. Her unique insight and experiences were recorded faithfully in her diary. Join Ranger Laura Lee McKellips for a glimpse into the life of this remarkable woman.

All weekend programming is free and open to the public. No reservations are required to enjoy the weekend's events.

The following ranger-led programs will be offered from Tuesday, October 3, through Thursday, October 5, the actual dates of the Battle of Corinth. Reservations are required for these in-depth hikes and walks.

Ranger led hikes being offered on Tuesday, October 3:

10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.---John McArthur and the Fighting on the Union Left Flank
Meet at the visitor center desk
Hiking Distance: Car Caravan and short walks
Type of Terrain: Short distances on pavement and grass

Brigadier General John MacArthur began the battle without an assignment. Early in the morning of October 3rd he was given command of a brigade and by noon he was leading three brigades in the greatest showing of his military career. Ranger Laura Lee McKellips will lead a driving tour to Alexander's Crossroads and then return to Corinth with stops at Cane's Creek, Oliver's Hill, and Battery F.

11:00 am - 11:30 am Battery Robinett
Meet at the visitor center desk
Hiking Distance: 100 yards
Type of Terrain: Easy on a grassy slope

On October 4, 1862 the small earth redoubt known as Battery Robinett was the focus of three attacks by Confederate infantry and dismounted cavalry. Located on high ground at the center of the Union's defensive line, Battery Robinett was key to a Confederate victory and the intensity of the fighting left the area covered with the dead and wounded of both armies.

1:00 pm - 1:30 pm Daniel Murray of the 1st U.S. Infantry
Meet at the visitor center desk
Hiking Distance: 100 yards
Type of Terrain: Easy on a grassy slope.

Join Daniel Murray, an Irish immigrant and American soldier, as he describes his life in the Regular Army at the outbreak of the war through the fighting at Battery Robinett. Prior to the Civil War Daniel served in Indian Territory and later fought at the Battle of Wilson's Creek, Missouri. During the Battle of Corinth, he was one of 26 men from Company C, 1st U.S. Infantry, who were manning the heavy artillery inside of Battery Robinett. Join Ranger Tom Parson for the first-person experience.

2:00 pm to 4:00 pm Davies' Thin Blue Line
Meet at the Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center
Hiking Distance: Car Caravan
Type of Terrain: Short distances of easy walking.

On the morning of October 3rd Brigadier General Thomas Davies was sent forward by Major General William Rosecrans with confusing orders and 1,500 men to hold the Union right against an attack by Confederate Major General Sterling Price's Army of the West with 9,000 men. Overwhelmed at the old Confederate earthworks, Davies would pull back to the White House line to make a stand. Aided by hard fighting, intense heat, and Confederate command confusion, Davies' men would hold until relieved at 4:30 p.m. During this stand Brigadier General Charles Hamilton would have a perfect opportunity to attack the exposed Confederate left flank. Due to a series of confused orders and Hamilton's lack of initiative, the attack would be bungled and occur too late. The car caravan lead by Ranger Anthony Killion will travel to the site of the Confederate earthworks of the old Beauregard Line and the site of the fighting at the White House fields.

2:30 pm - 3:00 pm Civil War Nurse: Kate Cumming
Meet at the visitor center desk
Hiking Distance: 100 yards
Type of Terrain: Easy on a grassy slope

Kate Cumming was a young woman of Mobile, Alabama who defied the expected roll of a woman of society. She travelled to Corinth in the wake of the Battle of Shiloh and tended the wounded of both sides. Her unique insight and experiences were recorded faithfully in her diary. Join Ranger Ansley Moore for a glimpse into the life of this remarkable woman.

3:30 pm - 4:00 pm Battery Robinett
Meet at the visitor center desk
Hiking Distance: 100 yards
Type of Terrain: Easy on a grassy slope

On October 4, 1862 the small earth redoubt known as Battery Robinett was the focus of three attacks by Confederate infantry and dismounted cavalry. Located on high ground at the center of the Union's defensive line, Battery Robinett was key to a Confederate victory and the intensity of the fighting left the area covered with the dead and wounded of both armies. Join Ranger Anthony Killion for an in depth look at the heaviest fighting in the largest battle in the State of Mississippi.

Ranger led hikes being offered on Wednesday, October 4:

9:30 am - 12:00 pm White House
Meet at the Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center
Car Caravan and Walking Tour
Type of Terrain: Easy to Moderate

Discover the story of the heaviest fighting on the Battle of Corinth's first day, including the desperate Confederate assaults and the dogged Union defense at a battlefield landmark known as the "White House." Join Ranger Anthony Killion as he shares a look at this critical engagement of the battle.

10:30 am to 12:00 pm Battery Powell and the Confederate Breakthrough
Meet at the visitor center desk
Hiking Distance: 1 mile
Type of terrain: grassy slope, paved streets, and sidewalks

Join Ranger Laura Lee McKellips for a walk that will focus on the Confederate attack on Davies' Division and the breaking of the Federal line at Battery Powell. Details will include the attack of Green's Division and the breakthrough at Battery Powell; the collapse of DuBois's line; street to street fighting; the Confederates reach the railroad crossroads; the flank attack of the 5th Minnesota. The walk will begin at the visitor center, proceed to the site of Battery Powell, turn south and walk through the historic district to Trailhead Park. Visitors will then have the option of returning to the interpretive center or visiting the Depot Museum or the Coca-Cola Museum.

11:00 am - 11:30 am Battery Robinett
Meet at Battery Robinett
Hiking Distance: 40 yards
Type of Terrain: Easy on a grassy slope

On October 4, 1862 the small earth redoubt known as Battery Robinett was the focus of three attacks by Confederate infantry and dismounted cavalry. Located on high ground at the center of the Union's defensive line, Battery Robinett was key to a Confederate victory and the intensity of the fighting left the area covered with the dead and wounded of both armies.

2:00 pm - 2:30 pm Daniel Murray of the 1st U.S. Infantry
Meet at Battery Robinett
Hiking Distance: 40 yards
Type of Terrain: Easy on a grassy slope

Join Daniel Murray, an Irish immigrant and American soldier, as he describes his life in the Regular Army at the outbreak of the war through the fighting at Battery Robinett. Prior to the Civil War Daniel served in Indian Territory and later fought at the Battle of Wilson's Creek, 4Missouri. During the Battle of Corinth, he was one of 26 men from Company C, 1st U.S. Infantry, who were manning the heavy artillery inside of Battery Robinett. Join Ranger Tom Parson for the first-person experience.

2:30 pm - 3:00 pm Kate Cumming: Civil War Nurse
Meet at the visitor center desk
Hiking Distance: 100 yards
Type of Terrain: Easy on a grassy slope

Kate Cumming was a young woman of Mobile, Alabama who defied the expected roll of a woman of society. She travelled to Corinth in the wake of the Battle of Shiloh and tended the wounded of both sides. Her unique insight and experiences were recorded faithfully in her diary. Join Ranger Ansley Moore for a glimpse into the life of this remarkable woman.

Ranger hikes being offered on Thursday, October 5:

9:30 am to 12:00 pm Davis Bridge and Young's Bridge
Meet at the Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center
Hiking Distance: Car Caravan (approx. 35 miles)
Type of Terrain: Short distances of easy walking

On the morning of October 5, a small Confederate force which had been left behind to guard wagons, was met at the Hatchie River by two brigade of Union infantry and artillery. The Federals were on their way to reenforce the garrison at Corinth and ended up blocking Van Dorn's retreat. This car caravan will make stops at the site of Van Dorn's camps in Chewalla, the site of Young's Bridge on the Tuscumbia River, Metamora Ridge, and site of Davis Bridge on the Hatchie River. Join Ranger Anthony Killion and learn of the final engagement of the Corinth campaign.

2:00 pm - 2:30 pm Battery Robinett
Meet at the visitor center desk
Hiking Distance: 100 yards
Type of Terrain: Easy on a grassy slope

On October 4, 1862 the small earth redoubt known as Battery Robinett was the focus of three attacks by Confederate infantry and dismounted cavalry. Located on high ground at the center of the Union's defensive line, Battery Robinett was key to a Confederate victory and the intensity of the fighting left the area covered with the dead and wounded of both armies. Join Ranger Laura Lee McKellips for an in depth look at the heaviest fighting in the largest battle in the State of Mississippi.3:00 pm -3:30 pm Henry Robinett: the War's UnseenOn October 4, 1862, Lieutenant Henry Clay Robinett was wounded during the Battle of Corinth. Although his physical wound would heal, Robinett would struggle with its ramifications for the rest of his life. Join Ranger Anthony Killion to learn about Henry Robinett's life and explore how Civil War soldiers dealt with the trauma of combat.

Visitors are asked to register in advance for all ranger led programs taking place between October 3 and October 5. Please call 662-297-9273 to pre-register. All tours are free and open to the public. The list of programs and hikes is available on the park's website at www.nps.gov/shil.

Facilities at the Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center are open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. If you have any questions about this or other park events, please call Park Rangers at 662-287-9273, go to www.nps.gov/shil, or follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/ShilohNMP.

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