MSSPI at Shiloh Battlefield and US National Cemetery
Articles and Photos by Angela L.Co founder MSSPI
MSSPI has been to Shiloh on two occasions, the first time in the summer of 2008 with Angela & Tony and The second time on a day trip with the Founders in July of 2009.
Angela & Tony had some great experiences on their first trip to the battlefield and captured a great EVP that is being featured in Paranormal Inc's New Haunted Battlefields Documentary coming out sometime at the end of 2009, We will keep you informed when we have more information on the release date. But you can hear the EVP clip recorded on the Trail to Sherman's Headquarters and that is being featured in the upcoming Para Inc. documentary here.
Tony & Angela were walking up a wooded rail behind the Old Shiloh Church Cemetery on their way to the Sherman's Headquarter Monument. Angela also thought she saw a shadow figure run past her in the woods at nearly the same time this EVP was recorded.
Photo by Angela L on 2009 day trip to the US National Cemetery at Shiloh Battlefield. Tn.
Shiloh National Cemetery was established in 1866 and embraces an area of 10.2 acres. There are 3,695 bodies buried in the cemetery, two thirds of which are unidentified. there are also a number of other casualties from nearby battlefields. Some from the Spanish American War, both World Wars and one from the Revolutionary War. There are only two Confederate bodies buried here, both died while being held prisioners of war by the Union Army.
The Wisconsin Color Guard Memorial is located on the east end of the cemetery overlooking the Tennessee River.
Areas of Interest on the Battlefield
MSSPI Co Founder Shelly Beard trying to get this monsterous monument in a shot. Photo by Angela L .
The Iowa State Monument 
This 75 foot monument designed by E.F. Triebel was erected by the State of Iowa in 1906. An eagle tops this massive monumant with a wingspan of 15 feet. At the base if the monument is a bronze statue, symbolic of "Fame" inscribing a tribute to the Iowa soldiers who fought and died in the battle. The State of Iowa also has 11 more regimental monuments on the field.
Confederate Burial Trenches
by Angela L MSSPI
Photo by Angela L 2009 MSSPI
All of the confederate dead, except the two in the National Cemetery are buried throughout the battlefield in 5 large mass burial trenches. In the largest there are reportedly 721 bodies, stacked 7 deep. The day after the battle, General Beauregard dispatched a message to General Grant asking for permission to send a mounted party to the battlefield to bury his dead. In answer Gen Grant said " Owing to the warmth of the weather, I deemed it advisable to have all the dead of both parties buried immediately.. now it is accomplished." The Confederate and the Union soldiers were buried together in the trenches. Four years after the battle, the Union dead were removed to the newly established national cemetery. The Confederate dead still remain in the trenches where they were buried by the Union. Apparently the US Government did not feel the Confederate dead were worthy of a cemetery plot or a proper burial.
The Bloody Pond
by Angela L MSSPI
Photo of the Bloody Pond summer 2008 by Angela L MSSPI
This shallow pool of water was in the path of the retreating Union Army, as it was pushed back toward the river on the Sunday of the Battle. Being the only water in the immediate vacinity, the wounded from both sides crawled here to bathe their wounds and quench their thirst. It has also been said that wounded horses also died in and around the pond. So many bled in and around the water, it is said to have become stained the color red. It has been reported that from time to time the water will change colors to a deep shade of red. I was able to capture this occurance, the summer of 2008. It appeared that a thin red algea was growing in the pond, but the appearance of it was quite eerie to say the least.
There have been many reports of paranormal activity in and around the Bloody pond. From reported sightings of dirty wounded soldiers, to the appearance of a woman dressed in white in and around the woods near the pond , who is said to be trying to comfort and help the wounded. She disappears when she is aproached.
Photo of Angela at the bloody pond where she had her first paranormal experience as a child. Photo by Tony B. 2008
I had my first paranormal experience at the Bloody Pond when I was 8 yrs old. My Dad loves Civil War history and we frequently camped at pickwick and would tour the battlefield. I was sitting near the edge of the pond by myself while my parents were on the other side taking photos of monuments. I was singing "you are my sunshine and tossing pebbles in the water. I heard a man say, " I like that song your singing" I looked up and saw the reflection of a wounded soldier in a blue jacket with a bloody rag tied around his head. When I turned to face him, there was no one there. Later as we were getting ready to drive on to the next stop, I looked out the back window of our station wagon and he was leaning against a large tree near the pond. I waved at him, and he waved back and then slowly vanished into thin air. I definately believe that there are spirits who still walk the edges of the Bloody Pond. It is my favorite place to visit at Shiloh. I was recently told by my Dad a few weeks ago that I have 3 Uncles buried at Shiloh, a father and his two sons, one of the sons chose to fight for the Union and the father and other son faught for the South. They faced each other at the peach orchard right next to the pond. It is said that they died there. The Union Uncle is reportedly buried at Shiloh Church and the Father and Confederate son are buried in a mass grave on the battlefield. I have not confirmed this information as of yet, but it might explain why I am always drawn to the area when we visit.
Coming Soon!!
The Hornets Nest, Sherman's Headquarters, The Peach Orchard, and Shiloh Church & Cemetery.
We will be adding more 
EVP clips, photos and history of the Shiloh Battlefield asap. This is a new page and uploading data is in the review and writing process. Please check back with us soon, we should have this page completed by Nov. 09.