05/02/2026
Please support our next project of exploring the role of Saltillo in the Civil War.
May 11th Saltillo City Hall
6-8
Speaker Paul Wayne Winters
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On May 11 at Saltillo City Hall (Community Room), I look forward to being with you and to share a subject that has meant a great deal to me for most of my life—Saltillo and its connection to the American Civil War.
I was raised in Saltillo and spent the first 18 years of my life there. After that, I joined the United States Marine Corps, and later returned home where I worked as an aircraft mechanic for 40 years. In retirement, I’ve been blessed to volunteer at Shiloh National Military Park, serving in the visitor center and sharing the story of Shiloh and the profound impact that battle had on our nation.
My interest in the Civil War began when I was around 10 or 12 years old. Like many young boys, I was first drawn in by the sight of cannons at places like Brice’s Crossroads National Battlefield Site and Shiloh. But curiosity quickly turned into a deeper desire to understand—who these men were, what they endured, and what the war truly meant. The more I read and studied, the more I came to appreciate the sacrifices made and the lasting consequences of that conflict.
On May 11th from 6:00-8:00, I’d like to focus on Saltillo’s place in that larger story. While Saltillo itself was not the site of a major battle, it was very much connected to the war through its people, its location, and its proximity to key military movements in North Mississippi and West Tennessee. Like many small Southern communities, Saltillo sent its sons to serve, and the effects of the war were felt deeply on the home front.
Saltillo’s location near important rail lines and routes made the surrounding area strategically significant during the war. With major engagements taking place nearby—especially at Shiloh and Brice’s Crossroads National Battlefield Site—this region became a corridor of movement, supply, and hardship. Soldiers passed through, resources were strained, and families endured uncertainty as the conflict unfolded around them.
Understanding places like Saltillo helps us see the Civil War not just as a series of large battles, but as a human story that touched communities of every size. It reminds us that history isn’t only made on famous fields—it’s also lived out in small towns, in the lives of ordinary people facing extraordinary times.
Today, my wife Lynette and I live in Hernando, and we enjoy traveling to battlefields and historic sites across the country. Each visit deepens my appreciation for the history I first discovered as a boy and now have the privilege to share with others.
Thank you for allowing me to speak on this journey . I look forward to exploring this topic with you.
