Pittsburg Landing near Shiloh in Hardin County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Gunboats Tyler and Lexington

U.S. Gunboat Tyler and U.S. Gunboat Lexington marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen Gathman, July 24, 2010

1. U.S. Gunboat Tyler and U.S. Gunboat Lexington marker

Inscription. U.S.U.S. Gunboat Tyler,
Lieut. William Gwin, commanding

U.S. Gunboat Lexington,
Lieut. James W. Shrink, commanding

On the 6th day of April, 1862 these gunboats were in position on the east side of the Tennessee River opposite the mouth of Dill Branch. They went into action at about 5 P.M. and were engaged in repelling the last attack made by the Confederates Sunday evening, and continued to throw shells, into the supposed camps of the enemy, every half hour during the night.

Erected by Shiloh National Military Park Commission. (Marker Number 299.)

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

Location. 35° 8.682′ N, 88° 19.16′ W. Marker is near Shiloh, Tennessee, in Hardin County. It is in Pittsburg Landing. It is on Brown's Ferry Road 0.8 miles east of Hamburg-Savannah Road, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Shiloh TN 38376, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West Tennessee.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

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Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Gunboats on the River (a few steps from this marker); Changing Size and Color (within shouting distance of this marker); A Major River Town (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Ohio (about 700 feet away); End of a Long, Hard Day (approx. 0.2 miles away); Surviving the Winter (approx. ¼ mile away); Signs of Prestige (approx. ¼ mile away); Maternal Clusters (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Shiloh.

Regarding Gunboats Tyler and Lexington. Contemporary reports indicate that shelling was effective against Chalmers' brigade while they were trying to cross the Dill Branch ravine.

Most works on the battle (e.g. Cunningham, 2007) state that the gunboats fired a shell every 15 minutes Sunday night.

Tennessee River seen from marker site image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen Gathman, July 24, 2010

2. Tennessee River seen from marker site

View looking north (downstream toward Savannah, TN) from the marker site.

Photographed by Allen Gathman, July 24, 2010

3. Dill Branch

View west from the marker into Dill Branch.

USS Tyler image. Click for more information.

4. USS Tyler

Photo of the gunboat from the war. Note the "City Class" ironclad behind and to the right of the Tyler.
Click for more information.

USS Lexington image. Click for more information.

5. USS Lexington

Another of the "Timberclad" gunboats.
Click for more information.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 31, 2010, by Allen Gathman of Pocahontas, Missouri. This page has been viewed 1,540 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 31, 2010, by Allen Gathman of Pocahontas, Missouri. 4, 5. submitted on August 1, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.