Sites near Tour Stop 8
 

Here at 4:55 a.m. on April 6, the first shots of the battle were fired when Confederate pickets engaged a Union patrol from Prentiss's division. Fraley Field, where the Federals struck the Confederate line of battle, is a short walk along the trail west of the tour stop.

(3-93) The red arrow points to the trail mentioned in narrative above

(3-93) Fraley Field. U.S. 25th Missouri Infantry, Peabody's (1st) Brig., Prentiss' (6th) Div., Army of the Tennessee
 
Companies "B" "E" and "H" of this regiment, belonging to reconnoitering party, were engaged here from 4.55 a.m. to 6 a.m. April 6, 1862 and then fell back to N.W. corner of Seay Field

(3-93) The Battle Begins. Here in Fraley Field, advance units of the opposing armies met for the first time just before dawn. Confederate pickets on the high ground ahead opened fire on a Union reconnaissance patrol which entered the field just behind you. Here fell the first victims of Shiloh. In the following 34 hours, 3,400 more men would die or be fatally wounded.
 
The fighting in Fraley Field and the surrounding woods lasted about an hour. The Union patrol was forced to retreat, as the first three waves of the Confederate assault swept forward. Though not decisive in itself, this initial engagement gave the Union camps to the northeast warning that a Confederate attack was on the way

(3-93) C.S. 3d Mississippi Infantry Battalion, Wood's 3d Brigade, Hardee's Corps, Army of the Mississippi
 
This Battalion, on picket at this place, was attacked at 4.55 a.m. April 6, 1862 by reconnoitering party sent out by General Prentiss. It held its ground until relieved by brigade about 6 a.m.
 
Northeast view. East edge of Fraley Field in distant background (tree line)
 
The green arrow in photos two and three point to this position