Death of Albert Sidney Johnston - Tour Stop #17

Johnston Mortuary Monument

NPS Photo

Quick Facts

Location:

Shiloh, TN

Significance:

Marks the site of the death of Albert Sidney Johnston, Confederate commander at the Battle of Shiloh

Designation:

National Park, National Register of Historic Places

Amenities

2 listed

Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Parking - Auto

The monument here marks the site where the Confederate commander, Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston, was taken after being found wounded on April 6. That afternoon, Johnston ordered his reserves to go into action and advance on the right flank in an attempt to drive a wedge between the Federal troops and their base of supplies at Pittsburg Landing. He also hoped to make it impossible for reinforcements to come to Grant's assistance from across the river. While personally directing his reserves, he was struck behind the right knee by a Minie ball, which cut the large artery.

At the time General Johnston was struck, he was sitting on his horse "Fireeater." He was taken to the ravine about 100 yards south of this monument by his staff members. There he died from loss of blood a few minutes later, ironically with an unused tourniquet in his pocket. Johnston was the highest ranking officer killed in combat during the Civil War and remains the highest ranking American military officer ever to be killed in action. After his death, command of the Confederate army passed to General P.G.T. Beauregard.

This monument is one of five on the Shiloh battlefield that were erected in 1902 by the United States government to pay tribute to and mark the spot where high ranking officers were killed in the Battle of Shiloh. At each corner of the concrete base is a pyramid of 8" shells and in the center is a 30 pdr. Parrott tube mounted vertically bearing a bronze plaque with the inscription and capped by a 12 pdr. shell.