NPS Photo

Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen will transfer ownership of the new Tennessee state monument on Shiloh Battlefield to the National Park Service as part of the unveiling ceremony to be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, June 3rd, Shiloh National Military Park Superintendent Woody Harrell announced today. "This event marks the culmination of a successful 15-year partnership project between the state and federal governments, and we are honored both Governor Bredesen and Representative Marsha Blackburn, Seventh Tennessee Congressional District, will be able to join us for this special occasion," Harrell said. "The new 14-foot tall, quarter million dollar monument will be the largest such structure erected on the battlefield in over 88 years. Base on the many public comments and inquiries we've received, we are anticipating a large crowd to be on hand for a first look at this impressive work of art." The dedication ceremonies will take place adjacent to Water Oaks Pond, a scene of intense fighting throughout both days of battle at Shiloh. All fabrication work associated with the project at various foundries in Wyoming, North Dakota, and Tennessee has been accomplished. Recently erected on the battlefield, the new monument will remain covered from public viewing until unveiled at the dedication ceremony.

Constructed of black granite, the base of the newest park monument is adorned with bronze plaques which commemorate the participation of the various Tennessee organizations engaged in the momentous battle. Records cite at least 14,200 sons of Tennessee were present on the field of Shiloh on April 6-7, 1862. The overwhelming majority of these men served in the infantry units, batteries of artillery, and one regiment of cavalry organized within the Volunteer State for military service in the armed forces of the Confederate States of America. Also present on the battlefield, in addition to the great host of men who enlisted for the Confederacy, was a small number of Tennesseans who had opted to join volunteer forces mustered in nearby northern states of Illinois, Ohio, and Kentucky. These residents formed a small portion of the United States armed forces engaged in the momentous battle. Available statistics cite at least 3,220 men from Tennessee listed among the 23,746 soldiers, Confederate and Union, listed as killed, wounded, or missing as a result of the bloody engagement.

In addition to the bronze tablets, a massive sculpture, created by internationally acclaimed artist G. L. Sanders of Pampa, Texas, rests atop the polished granite base. This work of art depicts three Civil War soldiers, sculptured to one and a half times life size. Entitling his work "Passing of Honor," Sanders explained his concept "was inspired by the vision of a soldier in the heat of battle retrieving the Confederate flag from the hands of a mortally wounded color bearer. Behind them, a determined comrade stands vigilant guard over his two companions." The large flag represents the First National Flag of the Confederate States of America, the most common banner carried by the Confederate Tennessee forces at the Battle of Shiloh. The bronze standard features eleven stainless steel stars, one each representing Tennessee and the other states which officially seceded from the Union in 1860-1861.

The State sponsored project to erect a Tennessee monument at Shiloh has been a cooperative venture involving the United Daughters of the Confederacy, the Sons of Confederate Veterans, the artist, and numerous craftsmen assisting Gerald Sanders in remaking his original two foot tall preliminary wax model into a cast bronze sculpture of heroic proportion. A series of molds taken from the enlarged clay sculpture were used to cast the work in bronze using the age-old "lost wax" technique. "Producing a work of this size is a laborious process, which requires skilled craftsmanship from beginning to end," remarked Shiloh Chief Ranger Stacy D. Allen.

"This monument will be a welcomed addition to the commemorative landscape we preserve at Shiloh. One hundred and forty-three years after American armies grappled for possession of the field, turning it into some of the nation's most hallowed ground, completion of the new Tennessee monument will illustrate the continuing desire of American citizens to commemorate the historic sacrifice made by the Civil War generation," Harrell said. After the casting and patina process was completed recently in Lander, Wyoming, a representative of Eagle Bronze Foundry transported the finished sculpture to the park by truck. The massive bronze structure was then mounted atop a beautiful black granite base on May 24.

Superintendent Harrell stated, "Everything will be ready for the dedication and unveiling of the new monument on Friday, June 3rd, the date reserved each year in Tennessee for statewide observance of Confederate Memorial [or Decoration] Day." The day begins with a memorial service for the Confederate forces engaged at Shiloh. This public service, scheduled to start at 10:00 a.m., will take place at Park Auto Tour Stop 5, site of one of the numerous mass graves on the field containing the honored remains of the Confederate dead. The memorial service should conclude by 10:45. Prior to the monument dedication ceremony, which is scheduled to start at 1 p.m., various chapters of the United Daughters of the Confederacy and a number of camps representing the Sons of Confederate Veterans, will lay memorial wreaths at the monument location in honor of the Tennesseans who fought at Shiloh.

Starting on Thursday, June 2, living history re-enactors will mount an around-the-clock ceremonial honor guard at the monument site. The dedication ceremony starting at 1 p.m., will include remarks by noted author and historian Larry Daniel, author of the most recent book-length narrative history of the battle, entitled Shiloh: The Battle That Changed the Civil War (1997), who will provide the keynote historical address. In addition, the Honorable Marsha Blackburn, United States Congressman for the District of Tennessee will participate in the ceremony. The climax of the dedication activities will be the participation of Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen, who will officially present the Tennessee Monument to the ownership of the citizens of the United States and formally consign its care and management to the stewardship of the National Park Service. The monument will be unveiled by Governor Bredesen and Congressman Blackburn, who will be ably assisted by group of children selected from across the state, to commemorate this ceremonial passing of honor for the continued responsibility for stewardship of the Nation's history to future generations of Tennesseans.

"We are pleased this often delayed project is now heading into the home stretch, and are excited State Representative Steve McDaniel, a longtime advocate of heritage preservation in Tennessee and chairman of the dedication committee which planned the transfer ceremony, has agreed to serve as master of ceremonies for the event." In addition to Governor Bredesen, Congressman Blackburn, and Historian Daniel, Harrell announced the committee has arranged for the participation of Lt. Governor John Wilder, the Tennessee National Guard, several reenactment groups, and UDC chapters and SCV camps from across the state. Should in climate weather unfortunately become a factor, Superintendent Harrell advised the formal dedication ceremony will be conducted indoors within the auditorium of the Shiloh Battlefield Visitor Center, then shift to the monument site at Park Auto Tour Stop 6 for the climatic unveiling. "However, we truly hope the weather will be magnificent," Harrell remarked, "and our visitors will be able to enjoy the warmth and beauty of a late spring day on the park, while they attend this landmark historic event in the long One Hundred and eleven-year history of commemoration and preservation on Shiloh Battlefield."

The public is invited to attend the morning memorial service and the afternoon dedication ceremony, as well as enjoy a reception on the lawn of the Shiloh Battlefield Visitor Center, which will start thirty minutes following the close of the dedication ceremony. For more information, please contact park rangers at 731-689-5696.