Last updated: April 8, 2023
Place
Fraley Field - Tour Stop #7
NPS Photo/Mekow
Quick Facts
Location:
Shiloh National Military Park
Significance:
Civil War Battle
Designation:
National Park
Amenities
3 listed
Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Information, Restroom
The short trail to the west leads to Fraley Field where fighting commenced at 4:55 am on April 6, when Confederate pickets engaged a patrol from Colonel Everett Peabody's brigade.
Leading "Peabody's Patrol" was an experienced regular US Army officer named Major James Powell. As he and his small force of 250 men stepped out of the woods and into Fraley Field, skirmishers of Aaron B. Hardcastle's 3rd Mississippi Battalion opened fire. The battle of Shiloh had begun.
The skirmish between these two small forces lasted about an hour. This alerted the Union camps and the complete surprise Johnston and Beauregard had hoped for disappeared.
Leading "Peabody's Patrol" was an experienced regular US Army officer named Major James Powell. As he and his small force of 250 men stepped out of the woods and into Fraley Field, skirmishers of Aaron B. Hardcastle's 3rd Mississippi Battalion opened fire. The battle of Shiloh had begun.
The skirmish between these two small forces lasted about an hour. This alerted the Union camps and the complete surprise Johnston and Beauregard had hoped for disappeared.