The battle at Shiloh began on the morning of April 6, 1862 and ended the next evening. In just two short days, both sides had lost more than 23,000 men. On the grounds of the Shiloh Military Park stood am impressive and beautiful monument to soldiers from Iowa. While many other states had monuments along the main road, Iowa’s was by far the largest. The inscription read:

“This monument is erected by the State of Iowa in commemoration of the loyalty, patriotism, and bravery of her sons who on this battlefield of Shiloh on the 6 and 7 days of April AD MDCCCLXII fought to perpetuate the sacred union of the States.”