McCook Takes the Field

News Release Date:
September 10, 2025

Contact: Chris Mekow, 731-689-5696

SHILOH, Tennessee - Shiloh National Military Park invites the public to participate in a special ranger-led hike on Saturday, September 20, 2025, titled "McCook Takes the Field." This five-and-a-half-mile hike will trace the movements of the Army of the Ohio's 2nd Division, commanded by Brigadier General Alexander McCook-one of the famed "Fighting McCook's" of the Civil War.

Participants will follow the division's advance from their arrival at Pittsburg Landing on the morning of April 7, 1862, through the climactic fighting near Shiloh Church that afternoon. Along the way, the program will highlight the soldiers' baptism by fire, the intensity of the Confederate defense, and the desperate counterattacks that unfolded during this pivotal phase of the Battle of Shiloh.

The hike will begin at 8:00 a.m. at the Shiloh Visitor Center and will conclude at the same location at approximately 1:00 p.m.Reservations are required and may be made by calling the Shiloh Visitor Center at (731) 689-5696. Participants should be prepared for a challenging experience, including:

• Sturdy hiking boots or shoes
• Hat and insect repellent
• At least one liter of water per person
• Rain gear and snacks

This hike will involve cross-country travel through woods and fields, including uneven ground, thick brush, fallen trees, creek crossings, and other natural obstacles. Due to safety concerns, thunderstorms will cancel the program. Join us for this opportunity to walk in the footsteps of history and gain a deeper understanding of the men who fought on this hallowed ground.

For more information on events at both the Shiloh and Corinth Battlefields, please visit us on the web at www.nps.gov/shil, or call the Shiloh visitor center at (731) 689-5696. You can also find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ShilohNMP, and on X at /ShilohNPS.