Shiloh, 150 years from the battle

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=37IybIZNTVw

Growing up in our house, my parents took us on trips to national landmarks and historical sites.  We walked battlefields from the War for Independence, the Freedom Trail, Civil War battlefields, Washington with the cherry blossoms in bloom, Fleet Week and airshows and so much more.  My father's idea of a free Saturday usually included a seemingly indiscriminant pen drop on a map, followed by a drive to a quaint artist colony, museum, or other stop.  It was those big family trips, though, where we walked in the steps of those who built our nation, and where I developed a very distinct pride in the knowledge that in our family, this life was about service.  Members from every generation had served.  There is even a family story about a ship stowaway, found hiding in a barrel part way to America, who felt so strongly about his adopted county that he was involved in the Crossng with General Washington.  Do I know for sure that one is true? Nope.  But I love the story, and one of our cousins has been doing a lot of geneology work to find out.

I grew up knowing that the family bible was the record of birthdays and weddings, and that only one copy was still in existence after the family homestead burned.  The family homestead was in South Eastern Missouri, a border state, and our family had fought on both sides of the Civil War.  Being a good Southern girl was nothing about being closed minded, but about proper manners, the ability to cook, clean, work hard and stand your ground. 

One hundred fifty years ago today, a Sunday, the Union Army, under the leadership of Grant, was doing Sunday chores, washing, shining boots, writing letters, attending services with the chalpain.  A  Rebel Yell broke through the quiet.  In the two days of fighting in the Battle at Shiloh, over twenty four thousand men died on home soil, in close combat.  In the first day, it seemed the South had won, but by the end of the second, they knew the North had won.  But in war, no one really ever wins.

Arlington National Cemetary wouldn't come until the end of the Civil War, the VA would come later as well.  (In the words of President Lincoln, "to care for him who shall have bourne the battle.")  But today, a century and a half after the battle, many who walk this mere four miles square can still feel the spirit of those who fought in a battle so fierce that mere small arms fire felled trees in itself.

Our world will likely always have those whose beliefs lead to conflict, yet we should strive to learn from those who have walked before us.  To commemorate all that has been given for our great nation, including at the Battle of Shiloh, I didn't want today to go without mention of our collective history.  The link above is to a Darryl Worley song, called Shiloh, about the battle.  This was turned into a video by someone else, who used photography overlay, her credit is listed at the end.  Hope you like it.  All the best to you all.