Shiloh in Hardin County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Confederate Retreat
Photographed By Brandon Fletcher, March 19, 2011
1. Confederate Retreat Marker
On the second day of fighting, Confederate forces here under Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard made their last attempt to check the surge of Union forces counterattacking from Pittsburg Landing. Confederate infantry sloshed through the shallow Water Oaks Pond in front of you and charged to your left across the field. They gained some ground, but were unable to stop the steady advance of Grant's Union army which had been heavily reinforced during the night.
About 2:30 p.m., a Confederate staff officer asked Beauregard, "General, do you not think our troops are very much in the condition of a lump of sugar thoroughly soaked in water, but yet preserving its original shape, though ready to dissolve? Would it not be judicious to get away with what we have?"
Moments later, General Beauregard gave the order for the Confederate army to retreat to Corinth. The Battle of Shiloh was over.
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When their last counterthrust failed to check the Union advance, the Confederates fell back toward Shiloh Church. Water Oaks Pond lay in the path of their retreat.
Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard assumed command of
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Water Oaks Pond—April 7, 1862—P.M.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is April 7, 1862.
Location. 35° 8.321′ N, 88° 21.052′ W. Marker is in Shiloh, Tennessee, in Hardin County. Marker is on Sherman Road, 0.1 miles north of Hamburg Purdy Road, on the left when traveling south. 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. Beauregard's Last Stand (a few steps from this marker); Tennessee Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); 30th Indiana Infantry (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Rutledge's Tennessee Battery (about 400 feet away); Wood's Brigade (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named 30th Indiana Infantry (about 400 feet away); 32nd Indiana Infantry (about 400 feet away); 11th Iowa Infantry (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Shiloh.
Also see . . . Shiloh National Military Park. National Park Service (Submitted on December 7, 2015.)
Photographed By Brandon Fletcher, March 19, 2011
2. Confederate Retreat Marker Illustration
Photographed By Brandon Fletcher, March 19, 2011
3. Confederate Retreat Marker Map
Photographed By Brandon Fletcher, March 19, 2011
4. P.G.T. Beauregard
Photographed By Brandon Fletcher, March 19, 2011
5. Confederate Retreat Marker
Photographed By Brandon Fletcher, March 19, 2011
6. Water Oaks Pond
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 5, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 356 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 5, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
