Near Shiloh in Hardin County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Ruggles' Batteries

Photographed By Craig Swain, March 16, 2009

1. Ruggles' Batteries Marker

Inscription. After six hours of bloody fighting here, it became evident that Confederate infantry alone would not break the strong Union defenses along the Sunken Road and the thickets beyond. Toward late afternoon, Brig. Gen. Daniel Ruggles brought forward eleven batteries of artillery and placed them in a line that began here and extended to your right along the wooded edge of Duncan Field and beyond.

According to Ruggles' official report, there were 62 cannon here - the greatest concentration of field guns seen on a North American battlefield up to that time.

For more than an hour the Confederate artillery roared, unleashing a great storm of shot, shell, and canister that kept the Union soldiers in the "Hornets' Nest" pinned down. Confederate infantry then encircled the Hornets' Nest and forced its defenders to surrender.

Ruggles' Batteries - April 6, 1862 - p.m.
The cannon you see today mark the locations of Ruggles' batteries. Although not the same cannon used in the battle, they compose one of the best collections of Civil War field artillery in existence.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is April 6, 1862.

Location. 35° 8.279′ N, 88° 20.558′ W. Marker is near Shiloh, Tennessee, in Hardin County. Marker

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is on Corinth-Pittsburg Landing Road, on the left when traveling west. Located in Duncan Field at stop four, Ruggles Battery, on the driving tour of Shiloh National Military Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Shiloh TN 38376, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Thunder in the Thicket (here, next to this marker); Ketchum's Alabama Battery (a few steps from this marker); Crescent (La.) Regiment (a few steps from this marker); 6th Mississippi and 23d Tennessee (within shouting distance of this marker); Walker's (2nd) Tennessee Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker); Byrne's Mississippi Battery (within shouting distance of this marker); 38th Tennessee Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker); Washington (La.) Artillery (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Shiloh.

More about this marker. In the center is a drawing showing Confederate guns in action. The combined guns of Ruggles' batteries could fire more than 180 rounds every minute - three rounds per second! The noise was deafening. To the right is a portrait of Gen. Ruggles. Brig. Gen. Daniel Ruggles, a West Point graduate, was convinced that Confederate infantry needed artillery support to conquer the Hornet's Nest. Furthest right is a map depicting unit positions at this stage of the

Photographed By Craig Swain, March 16, 2009

2. Battle Map

battle. At the top of the marker is a time line indicating the length of the battle and when Ruggles massed batteries here.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Ruggles' Batteries tour by markers and monuments.

Ruggles' Batteries Wayside image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, March 16, 2009

3. Ruggles' Batteries Wayside

The wayside is one of several on the park which feature an audio recording to offer visitors additional information.

Ruggles' Batteries Today image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, March 16, 2009

4. Ruggles' Batteries Today

A row of antique Civil War era cannon represent the massed batteries.

Other End of Ruggles Line image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, March 16, 2009

5. Other End of Ruggles Line

At the other end of the line is Byrne's Battery, with Hubbard's Battery seen in the distance.

Photographed By Brandon Fletcher, November 28, 2015

6. Ruggles' Batteries Marker

Currently, Shiloh Park Services are tearing out the old way markers and adding new editions in the upcoming future.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 20, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,094 times since then and 69 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 20, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 5. submitted on July 26, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 6. submitted on December 3, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee.