Tweet
We don't see much about Corinth on the various forums, but a lot of work has gone into the area's Civil War history in the past ten years. Hope to see some of you down or over this way when the facility is opened here in a few months.
From the Tuesday editon of the Daily Corinthian:
Sidetracks
A journey into the interpretive center
By Mark Boehler- Executive Editor
Published Tuesday, April 13, 2004
My name is Mark and I’ll be your tour guide today.
Join with me on a journey into the past using today’s digital technology and visualization as we explore the significance of the War Between the States and how Corinth and Shiloh played an important role in the Civil War that once divided our great nation.
Please stay close to the group. This attraction isn’t Disney World, so feel free to take flash pictures. I’ll entertain questions as we go, but remember I’m just a community volunteer, so I get stumped easily.
If you know the answer to your question, go ahead and give it to the group. I know there’s an expert in every crowd, so feel free to be the “Know-It-All” today. Otherwise, we’ll locate a National Park Service ranger and get an answer.
We stand today on the hallowed ground known by the locals as Fort Robinett, where some of the heaviest fighting took place on Oct. 3-4, 1862, as Confederate forces tried to retake Corinth from the Union due to the importance of the railroad.
To my left -- your right -- is the railroad, and when you live in Corinth, one hears plenty of trains still today. The important north-south, east-west rail junction is over the hill behind us, about another half-mile or so.
From right here, the Union felt like they could hold Corinth -- which they successfully did despite a gallant effort by Confederate forces. Shiloh is well known for those who study the Civil War. But did you know there were 6,000 casualties in the Battle of Corinth?
Surprised? Yes, today we hear the gleeful noise of kids on an elementary school playground across the street, but that wasn’t the case in 1862.
On top of the hill behind me is the National Park Service Civil War Interpretive Center -- called the Corinth Unit of Shiloh National Military Park by park officials.
The striking $9 million facility was a battle in itself. In a tight economy with budget restraints, it weathered some government cannon balls as a local delegation never gave up. It didn’t hurt to have U.S. Senator Trent Lott’s thumb of approval. Many know of Lott’s rise and fall as Senate Majority Leader, but we in Corinth know how much the man did to make the project a reality.
Notice that the facility rises out of the ground. The grass and earthen walls are part of what designers hope would give us a feel today of an earthen battery. This entire city was surrounded by earthworks, built and occupied by the South, then used by the North for defense.
I want us on the bottom of the hill for a reason. Charter and school buses will drop people off at the top of the hill at the center -- and there is handicapped access up there for those less fortunate as us who can make the climb up the hill.
As we walk up the hill, notice all the items placed to give us a sense that this was a battlefield. You’ll see mini-balls, a wagon wheel, spent cartridges, broken muskets and discarded belt buckles and buttons.
See you at the top of the hill in front of the center. Take your time. It’s a beautiful day.
We stand today on 20 acres owned by the National Park Service, given the land from both the City of Corinth and United Daughters of the Confederacy -- a group wishing to preserve before the word preservation was in vogue. Confederate soldiers were buried at this site after the battle and their remains are still here.
Before we go inside, to my right are six Civil War soldiers doing the “double quick,” a term used when infantry was advancing on the enemy. For those Civil War reenactors who know their equipment and uniforms, these six men represent a sample of what would have been on the battlefield.
As we go inside ... oops ... here comes a big diesel. I’ll let it pass so I don’t have to scream. That was perfect timing. Now you know why Battery Robinett was here -- to protect the nearby railroad to your left.
To my right is a replica of a railroad boxcar -- the mode of transportation for many soldiers. We’ll see more inside.
Let’s take a quick break. Inside to the right are restrooms for those who need to empty their bladders, as my mom always used to say. There is also a water fountain to fill them back up. Meet me in the lobby in about five minutes.
Isn’t this impressive? High ceilings with brick and panelled oak. Huge windows all the way around up top for plenty of sunshine. Before we proceed into the museum behind you and to my right, just a few words about the area behind me and to the left.
A ranger is at the info desk. She is the one to answer the questions I can’t. Her job is to point to the restrooms for those who stumble off a charter bus after a long trip, rush in with their legs crossed and scream, “Where’s the john?”
The park ranger also has info on Shiloh, Brice’s Crossroads, other attractions such as the Crossroads Museum, Downtown Corinth, historical homes, the Civil War driving tour, and the Curlee House, oops, I mean, the Verandah House. We also have two other good resource centers in Corinth which serve as a good starting point -- the state of Mississippi’s beautiful Alcorn Welcome Center out on U.S. 72 at Harper Road and the Corinth Area Tourism Office in downtown Corinth. If you go there, ask for Del. He’s a great resource.
Behind me are the offices of the two maintenance people employed here, five park rangers and the office of Woody Harrell, park superintendent. Woody is over Corinth and Shiloh. He oversaw the entire lengthy process to make this facility a reality.
As of November, 2003, Woody had visited 381 of this country’s 388 national parks. His goal is to see them all. But I’ll guarantee you he’s spent more time dealing with the brick and mortar here than time hiking at Yellowstone.
Also back there is a kitchen so after-hour receptions can be held in the community.
There are three park rangers on duty at all times. You’ll find them wandering the grounds inside and out today to answer questions.
To my left -- your right -- is an area for artifacts. This is where anyone can share their family Civil War heirlooms for others to see in a darker, controlled-temperature environment necessary for museum artifacts.
Behind that area is a 75-seat theater. Park rangers give presentations at various times in there -- mostly to tour and school groups. Eventually, a short film will be shown in there several times a day, much like “Shiloh, Portrait of a Battle,” shown at the Shiloh Visitors’ Center. Hopefully, the film will here be much better than Shiloh’s outdated 20-minute movie.
The theater plans got nixed during the funding phase of this project, but thanks to state Sen. Travis Little of Corinth -- the president pro tempore of the Senate in Mississippi -- state funds were added and the theater is a reality.
I know you are probably tired of listening to me. Proceed behind you to my right and enter the interpretive world of the Civil War.
There will be five areas on your journey. One can spend 10 minutes, or one can spend hours. Your course is determined on how much you want to learn. There are plenty of state-of-art visuals to guide you on your walk back in time.
You’ll walk on a railroad crossing and enter a boxcar. You’ll learn about Shiloh and why the battle was fought. You’ll learn about earthworks and how they were built. Soldiers spent more time building earthworks in Corinth than they did firing at the enemy. Then around the corner, you learn more about the Battle of Corinth, before entering the Freedman’s Camp.
Corinth was more than a battlefield. At one point during the Civil War, Corinth was home to 6,000 slaves entrusted in the care of Union troops. In one of the more lesser known angles of the Civil War, these families had to have food and medical attention. They went to church and school.
You can visit the Freedman’s Camp site in Corinth on North Parkway. It’s a work in progress, but some of the site is now preserved.
Before you visit the rest of the interpretive center, let me encourage you the stop by the courtyard and reflection pool out the doors behind me.
Water cascades from the preamble of our Constitution, then into a river with 13 facets representing the original states. More water enters the pool as more states entered the Union. The river widens.
And then. Turbulence. Water rushes over blocks representing the major battles of the Civil War. The river divides. Our country’s future is a cascade.
But then, the ripples turn more calm. Major wars come and go, then today, a reflecting pool is at the end.
In this pool is a leaf from every state tree. I encourage you to find your leaf from your state. Reflect on where we were. And where we are now.
There is a bookstore here for those who want to take home more information. Proceeds go to help keep this facility running. I can’t accept tips, but there is a donation box for anyone who wants to humor me and contribute to the upkeep of this excellent facility.
I’ll be in the courtyard at the reflection pool for those who want to learn more about the place I love and call home, Corinth.
Thanks for visiting the Civil War Interpretive Center today. We should not forget the past, or we will never appreciate what we have today.
(Mark Boehler is executive editor of the Daily Corinthian. He holds a bachelor of science degree from the University of Tennessee at Martin in park and recreation administration. When he grows up, he wants to be a park ranger. He hopes to answer the volunteer call to assist the local tourism office with group tours.)
From the Tuesday editon of the Daily Corinthian:
Sidetracks
A journey into the interpretive center
By Mark Boehler- Executive Editor
Published Tuesday, April 13, 2004
My name is Mark and I’ll be your tour guide today.
Join with me on a journey into the past using today’s digital technology and visualization as we explore the significance of the War Between the States and how Corinth and Shiloh played an important role in the Civil War that once divided our great nation.
Please stay close to the group. This attraction isn’t Disney World, so feel free to take flash pictures. I’ll entertain questions as we go, but remember I’m just a community volunteer, so I get stumped easily.
If you know the answer to your question, go ahead and give it to the group. I know there’s an expert in every crowd, so feel free to be the “Know-It-All” today. Otherwise, we’ll locate a National Park Service ranger and get an answer.
We stand today on the hallowed ground known by the locals as Fort Robinett, where some of the heaviest fighting took place on Oct. 3-4, 1862, as Confederate forces tried to retake Corinth from the Union due to the importance of the railroad.
To my left -- your right -- is the railroad, and when you live in Corinth, one hears plenty of trains still today. The important north-south, east-west rail junction is over the hill behind us, about another half-mile or so.
From right here, the Union felt like they could hold Corinth -- which they successfully did despite a gallant effort by Confederate forces. Shiloh is well known for those who study the Civil War. But did you know there were 6,000 casualties in the Battle of Corinth?
Surprised? Yes, today we hear the gleeful noise of kids on an elementary school playground across the street, but that wasn’t the case in 1862.
On top of the hill behind me is the National Park Service Civil War Interpretive Center -- called the Corinth Unit of Shiloh National Military Park by park officials.
The striking $9 million facility was a battle in itself. In a tight economy with budget restraints, it weathered some government cannon balls as a local delegation never gave up. It didn’t hurt to have U.S. Senator Trent Lott’s thumb of approval. Many know of Lott’s rise and fall as Senate Majority Leader, but we in Corinth know how much the man did to make the project a reality.
Notice that the facility rises out of the ground. The grass and earthen walls are part of what designers hope would give us a feel today of an earthen battery. This entire city was surrounded by earthworks, built and occupied by the South, then used by the North for defense.
I want us on the bottom of the hill for a reason. Charter and school buses will drop people off at the top of the hill at the center -- and there is handicapped access up there for those less fortunate as us who can make the climb up the hill.
As we walk up the hill, notice all the items placed to give us a sense that this was a battlefield. You’ll see mini-balls, a wagon wheel, spent cartridges, broken muskets and discarded belt buckles and buttons.
See you at the top of the hill in front of the center. Take your time. It’s a beautiful day.
We stand today on 20 acres owned by the National Park Service, given the land from both the City of Corinth and United Daughters of the Confederacy -- a group wishing to preserve before the word preservation was in vogue. Confederate soldiers were buried at this site after the battle and their remains are still here.
Before we go inside, to my right are six Civil War soldiers doing the “double quick,” a term used when infantry was advancing on the enemy. For those Civil War reenactors who know their equipment and uniforms, these six men represent a sample of what would have been on the battlefield.
As we go inside ... oops ... here comes a big diesel. I’ll let it pass so I don’t have to scream. That was perfect timing. Now you know why Battery Robinett was here -- to protect the nearby railroad to your left.
To my right is a replica of a railroad boxcar -- the mode of transportation for many soldiers. We’ll see more inside.
Let’s take a quick break. Inside to the right are restrooms for those who need to empty their bladders, as my mom always used to say. There is also a water fountain to fill them back up. Meet me in the lobby in about five minutes.
Isn’t this impressive? High ceilings with brick and panelled oak. Huge windows all the way around up top for plenty of sunshine. Before we proceed into the museum behind you and to my right, just a few words about the area behind me and to the left.
A ranger is at the info desk. She is the one to answer the questions I can’t. Her job is to point to the restrooms for those who stumble off a charter bus after a long trip, rush in with their legs crossed and scream, “Where’s the john?”
The park ranger also has info on Shiloh, Brice’s Crossroads, other attractions such as the Crossroads Museum, Downtown Corinth, historical homes, the Civil War driving tour, and the Curlee House, oops, I mean, the Verandah House. We also have two other good resource centers in Corinth which serve as a good starting point -- the state of Mississippi’s beautiful Alcorn Welcome Center out on U.S. 72 at Harper Road and the Corinth Area Tourism Office in downtown Corinth. If you go there, ask for Del. He’s a great resource.
Behind me are the offices of the two maintenance people employed here, five park rangers and the office of Woody Harrell, park superintendent. Woody is over Corinth and Shiloh. He oversaw the entire lengthy process to make this facility a reality.
As of November, 2003, Woody had visited 381 of this country’s 388 national parks. His goal is to see them all. But I’ll guarantee you he’s spent more time dealing with the brick and mortar here than time hiking at Yellowstone.
Also back there is a kitchen so after-hour receptions can be held in the community.
There are three park rangers on duty at all times. You’ll find them wandering the grounds inside and out today to answer questions.
To my left -- your right -- is an area for artifacts. This is where anyone can share their family Civil War heirlooms for others to see in a darker, controlled-temperature environment necessary for museum artifacts.
Behind that area is a 75-seat theater. Park rangers give presentations at various times in there -- mostly to tour and school groups. Eventually, a short film will be shown in there several times a day, much like “Shiloh, Portrait of a Battle,” shown at the Shiloh Visitors’ Center. Hopefully, the film will here be much better than Shiloh’s outdated 20-minute movie.
The theater plans got nixed during the funding phase of this project, but thanks to state Sen. Travis Little of Corinth -- the president pro tempore of the Senate in Mississippi -- state funds were added and the theater is a reality.
I know you are probably tired of listening to me. Proceed behind you to my right and enter the interpretive world of the Civil War.
There will be five areas on your journey. One can spend 10 minutes, or one can spend hours. Your course is determined on how much you want to learn. There are plenty of state-of-art visuals to guide you on your walk back in time.
You’ll walk on a railroad crossing and enter a boxcar. You’ll learn about Shiloh and why the battle was fought. You’ll learn about earthworks and how they were built. Soldiers spent more time building earthworks in Corinth than they did firing at the enemy. Then around the corner, you learn more about the Battle of Corinth, before entering the Freedman’s Camp.
Corinth was more than a battlefield. At one point during the Civil War, Corinth was home to 6,000 slaves entrusted in the care of Union troops. In one of the more lesser known angles of the Civil War, these families had to have food and medical attention. They went to church and school.
You can visit the Freedman’s Camp site in Corinth on North Parkway. It’s a work in progress, but some of the site is now preserved.
Before you visit the rest of the interpretive center, let me encourage you the stop by the courtyard and reflection pool out the doors behind me.
Water cascades from the preamble of our Constitution, then into a river with 13 facets representing the original states. More water enters the pool as more states entered the Union. The river widens.
And then. Turbulence. Water rushes over blocks representing the major battles of the Civil War. The river divides. Our country’s future is a cascade.
But then, the ripples turn more calm. Major wars come and go, then today, a reflecting pool is at the end.
In this pool is a leaf from every state tree. I encourage you to find your leaf from your state. Reflect on where we were. And where we are now.
There is a bookstore here for those who want to take home more information. Proceeds go to help keep this facility running. I can’t accept tips, but there is a donation box for anyone who wants to humor me and contribute to the upkeep of this excellent facility.
I’ll be in the courtyard at the reflection pool for those who want to learn more about the place I love and call home, Corinth.
Thanks for visiting the Civil War Interpretive Center today. We should not forget the past, or we will never appreciate what we have today.
(Mark Boehler is executive editor of the Daily Corinthian. He holds a bachelor of science degree from the University of Tennessee at Martin in park and recreation administration. When he grows up, he wants to be a park ranger. He hopes to answer the volunteer call to assist the local tourism office with group tours.)
Comment