Immerse yourself in the history of the Civil War with a self-guided driving audio tour of Shiloh National Military Park. Explore major battle sites and learn about the key figures and events that shaped the war.
- Shiloh Battlefield Visitor Center - Welcome to Shiloh! Today, we’ll learn all about the Civil War battle that once razed these fields and about the landmarks that testify to its ferocity. Your starting point is the Shiloh Visitor Center, at 1055 Pittsburg Landing Road. If you’re not there already, you should head there now.
Note: This 12-mile-long tour covers the essentials of the Shiloh National Military Park in 2-3 hours.
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Iowa State Monument - The monument to our right is the Iowa State Monument. Feel free to walk up to it for a closer look! The soaring bird atop this granite tower is an eagle caught in mid-flight, representing the freedom of the soul. That bronze figure in the flowing robe depicts Fame. The 12-foot statue holds a quill pen to the monument, carving an elegy on the battlefield for posterity. Though many men who journeyed to Shiloh never returned, Fame will remember their sacrifice.
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Grant’s Last Line - These cannons mark the site of Grant’s Last Line. Picture this: Dusk is about to fall on a warm April day. Men drag iron siege guns that are so heavy, they usually require oxen to move. 20,000 troops mustered from all different brigades gather right here. This is General Ulysses S. Grant’s Last Line, the desperate last-ditch attempt to hold back the relentless surge of the Confederate side.
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Michigan State Memorial - Shiloh - Up ahead, there’s an awkward intersection. Ignore the intersection road and simply continue straight along Confederate Road. You’ll know it’s the correct path when the monument of the soldier passes on your left. The soldier commemorates the 353 troops from Michigan who were killed, wounded, or missing during the battle of Shiloh.
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Daughters of the Confederacy Monument - Pull into the turnout just ahead, across from the big monument. This is the Daughters of the Confederacy Monument. In the center of that monument, below the central statues, you’ll see a bronze plaque depicting a man’s face. That’s General Albert Sidney Johnston, who led the Confederate forces here in Shiloh.
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Shiloh Church - Coming up is the Shiloh Church and Cemetery. Turn into the parking lot on our left and park. Today, we’ll see two structures here: A modern church, and an authentic replica of the original. The new one is a large 1950s building with green shingles, brick and stone siding, and a tall white steeple. The replica is a one-room log cabin. It’s around this cabin where General Sherman and his men have made camp.
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Seay Field - Here, Prentiss orders his men to stand fast against the rebels fast emerging from the woods. But the rebels just keep coming! There’s no way this small Union contingent can hold back such an overwhelming attack! But they can slow them down, and right now that’s the most important thing in the world. Prentiss’s men hold the line and engage the charging Confederates.
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Munch’s Battery, 1st Minnesota Light Artillery Historical Marker - In a moment, we’ll pass a couple of cannons on our left. These pay tribute to Union Captain Emil Munch. After the Union falls back from their camp, many regroup in an area known as the Hornet’s Nest. It’s about a mile ahead of us, and we’ll see it very soon. Munch’s artillery battery positions themselves here to defend that Hornet’s Nest. But what makes the nest so important?
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Jones Field - While the Hornet’s Nest holds fast against seemingly endless Confederate assaults, not every part of the Union line fairs quite so well, General Sherman has been pushed all the way from the church back to this field. It seems he’ll be pushed back farther still. But then he’s joined by General John McClernand, who has other ideas.
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Tennessee State Memorial - Coming up on our left, we’ll soon see the Tennessee Memorial. It’s the one with three bronze men. One stands with a rifle, one has fallen, and the other picks up the flag that his comrade has dropped. The monument represents the loyalty of the survivors to their dead predecessors.
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Mortuary Monument for General Julius Raith - This monument on our left is the Mortuary Monument for Union General Julius Raith. The monument features four pyramids of cannonballs, clustered around a jet-black Parrott Rifle, a pillar of strength. Raith had been a veteran of the Mexican-American War. When the Civil War began, he formed a regiment of German-Americans. He led his regiment in Shiloh, along with three others from Illinois.
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Texas State Monument - Pull over by the monument just ahead and park. This is the Texas State Monument, honoring the regiments from Texas who fought at Shiloh. Among those honored here is Johnston himself. A Texan by birth, Johnston became the highest-ranking soldier to lose his life in Civil War combat. Before the Civil War, he had fought widely and earned plenty of renown. Johnston fought in the Black Hawk War, the Texas Revolution, the Mexican-American War, and numerous smaller conflicts. But when his home state of Texas seceded, he didn’t hesitate to join the Confederacy. His remains now reside in the State Cemetery in Austin, Texas.
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Shiloh Indian Mounds National Historic Landmark - The Shiloh Indian Mounds are coming up on our left. Here we can see the remains of an 800-year-old settlement which far predates the Civil War. If you’d like to learn more about these, turn into the parking lot ahead. Otherwise, continue straight.
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Shiloh National Cemetery - The Shiloh National Cemetery is on our left. After the battle, the Union buries Federal and rebel soldiers in mass graves. After the war, 3,584 bodies are moved to this cemetery. Two thirds remain unidentified.
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Pittsburg Landing - Pull over and park. We’ve arrived at Pittsburg Landing, where General Buell’s men arrived to save the day for the Union. That brings us to the end of our tour. I hope you’ve enjoyed learning the inside story about the Battle of Shiloh.
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- Easy-to-use app: download Action’s Tour Guide App onto your phone
- Great value: purchase per car, not per person. More affordable than bus or guided tours!
- Engaging storytelling: Uncover unique tales and thrilling history for a memorable journey!
- Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. Proven with tons of rave reviews!
- Offline maps: no signal, no problem! Works perfectly without cellular or wifi.
- Comprehensive route and stops: See it all, miss nothing, leave no stone unturned!
- Go at your own pace: Start anytime, pause anywhere, enjoy breaks for snacks and photos freely!
- Hands-free: audio stories play on their own based on your location. Easy to use!
- Attraction passes, entry tickets, or reservations
Return to the site of one of the Civil War’s first major battles with this self-guided driving tour of Shiloh National Military Park! Get to know familiar figures like General Sherman before they became the seasoned veterans they are remembered as. Visit the Hornet’s Nest and Grant’s Last Line as you relive the chaos of battle with blow-by-blow narration. Discover why a single bullet fired at Shiloh may have changed the course of the entire war.
Recommended: purchase only one tour per car. Everyone can listen at the same time!
After booking, check your email to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action, enter your unique password, and access your tour. These steps require good internet/Wi-Fi access. From there, follow the audio instructions and the route.
New, extra validity — now yours for an entire year! Use multiple times over multiple trips!
This isn’t an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.
- How to access: Once you book a tour, you’ll get a confirmation email with instructions. Follow the instructions right away: • Download the separate app • Enter the password • Download the tour • MUST DO while in strong wifi/cellular.
- How to start the tour: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction. • Go to the starting point. (Note: no one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided). • The audio will begin automatically at the starting point. If you face audio issues, visit the FAQ. • Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
- Amazing Savings: why pay for an expensive, crowded, and limited bus tour — priced per person! — when you can have ONE amazing audio guide on your OWN phone for your WHOLE group?
- Flexibility and Convenience: • Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. It’s perfect for tailoring your exploration and revisiting your favorite spots on future trips. • Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace, free from the constraints of a group.
- Comprehensive Tour Experience: •The app provides a full itinerary, travel tips, narrated audio stories, scripts, images, videos, and recommendations for additional activities. • Enjoy a private experience without the crowds, ideal for personalized stops and photo opportunities.
- Ease of Use and Accessibility: • The app is hands-free and activates stories via GPS, offering support through call, chat, or email. • There is no need for a continuous cell or Wi-Fi connection as the GPS map works offline.
- Memorable Keepsakes: • Utilize the app’s images to create a photo book or share on social media, ensuring you have high-quality, crowd-free memories from your trip.
- Preparation: • After booking, download the app and the tour using a strong Wi-Fi connection. • Review the tour at home before your trip for a better experience.
- Starting the Tour: • Open the app upon arrival at your destination. • Select the appropriate tour based on your starting point. • Head to the starting location; the audio will begin automatically. • Follow the suggested route and adhere to the speed limit for an optimal experience. • By following these instructions and taking advantage of the app’s features, users can enjoy a personalized, flexible, and in-depth exploration of their destination at their own pace and convenience.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.