UPPER LAKE, Calif. – One hundred and 50 years ago, a Confederate army launched a surprise attack on an invading Federal army under General Ulysses S. Grant.  

The ensuing battle, the Battle of Shiloh, which occurred April 6-7, 1862, in Hardin County, Tennessee, was the largest ever seen in the Western Hemisphere up to that point, with more than 23,000 casualties during the two-day conflict.

The events leading up the battle, the battle itself, and the impact the battle had on the war will be discussed at the next Redwood Empire Civil War Round Table at the historic Tallman Hotel in Upper Lake on Monday, April 2, at 6:15 p.m.

Local historian and Civil War enthusiast Zane Jensen will lead the discussion and will include several slides from his personal tour of the battle field.

The main presentation will be followed up with a brief review of the Confederate invasion of New Mexico.

Phil Smoley will review the major events of this little known drama that occurred far from the more well known action in the East.

To honor the sesquicentennial of the Civil War, the Civil War Roundtable attempts to follow the events of the Civil War as they occurred chronologically, month by month, thus the upcoming meeting covers the events around April 1862.

Everyone is welcome, admission is free, and there is no formal membership.

Everyone from novice to history geek has attended, and there is plenty of opportunity for discussion and questions.

For more information, contact Phil Smoley at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or Zane Jensen, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .