Western Swing: Day 03

In Corinth, as we stand at the Crossroads, we realize there has to be a blues song in there somewhere.

On day three of my swing with the American Battlefield Trust through battlefields in western Tennessee, we followed the Union army from Pittsburg Landing down into northern Mississippi to the key railroad junction of Corinth. All of us–Kris White, Garry Adelman, Parker Hills, and I–got pretty excited to stand at the railroad junction that was once so vital for the Confederacy. It was so important, in fact, that it might as well have had a bullseye painted on it.

We also had a few cool guest stars on this leg. Follow along on our adventures:

In 1862 the cross roads of the Mobile & Ohio and Memphis & Charleston railroads in Corinth, Mississippi, served as one of the most significant locations in the country. If Union forces could take control of the rail lines, they would gain access to the Southern heartland. If Confederate forces could hold onto it, they would be able to continue to ship supplies and men throughout the southern states.

Join General Parker Hills of Battle Focus Tours, Chris Mackowski of Emerging Civil War and Garry Adelman of the American Battlefield Trust to learn more about the strategy and fighting surrounding Corinth.

 

In October 1862, Confederate forces came back to Corinth to try and regain the crucial cross roads. They were met with Union earthworks and fortifications. General Parker Hills and Dr. Chris Mackowski detail the action.

 

We are joined by special guest, former Deputy Speaker of the Tennessee House of Representative Steve McDaniel to detail this lesser known 370-acre battlefield park! Garry Adelman, Kristopher White and Dr. Chris Mackowski also appear.



3 Responses to Western Swing: Day 03

  1. These videos are great. The next time I go to Shiloh, I’ll be sure to stop at Parker’s Crossroads. If you are accessing Shiloh by way of I-40, Parker’s Crossroads is right there at the Route 22 exit.

    1. I was pleasantly surprised by Parker’s Crossroads, to be honest. And yes, it is RIGHT THERE when you get off the interstate, which actually bisects the battlefield. As Steve told us, it’s not an ideal situation, but if you have to have an interstate run through the middle of your battlefield, I-40’s placement is ideal because it separates the Union and Confederate lines, running parallel to both, and it can serve as a good orienting landmark for visitors trying to envision the lines.

  2. Several comments. I agree with Garry that the Corinth Interpretive Center is a gem. I visited it after Shiloh, and found it very informative. Garry mentioned the water sculpture, which I found to be moving. I know nothing about, and never heard of, Davis Bridge. My copy of ABT’s maps of the western theater does not have any maps, so I will need to do some more research. Parker’s Crossroads was not new to me, because years ago I read a book on Nathan Bedford Forrest. But that was so long ago that I remembered little about it. This video is most helpful in re-introducing me to the battle.

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