re: The Battle of Shiloh began on this date 161 years ago...

Never been to Shiloh, but I hope to go there one day. I have been to several battlefields in the east, like Manassas, Gettysburg, Antietam, Chickamauga, and others . Antietam is especially beautiful. All are hallowed ground.

This is also the 158th anniversary of the Battle of Sailor's Creek. This battle was much smaller and lessor known, but was the last battle the Army of Northern Virginia fought and Lee lost about 1/4 of what remained of his army there. He surrendered at Appomattox Courthouse three days later.

In this battle, actually three engagements in a single general area, Union troops got between the tail end of Lee's army and the main force. Most of Ewell's command was surrounded and captured, which accounted for most the losses. Many supply wagons were lost too, but the men charged with guarding them largely escaped. My wife's great grandfather was among them. My MiL and her sisters knew this man well because he lived to be 96 and they all lived in their 90s too.