Contrary to local legend, the Battle of Shiloh was not planned in this house nor used as headquarters by Albert Sidney Johnston in early 1862.

Johnston's headquarters were located in a small building attached to the McCartney Hotel across the railroad tracks from the Burleson mansion.

The official records, most of which are now housed at Tulane University, indicate that General Johnston's headquarters during the time he reorganized his Confederate forces in Decatur in March 1862 were at the McCarty (sic) Hotel.

They also indicate that planning for attacking Grant's forces at Pittsburg Landing (the Battle of Shiloh) was done by Johnston's subordinate, General Beauregard, in Corinth, Mississippi.

Everything outside the breastworks for an 800-yard (730 m) radius was leveled to provide a clear field of fire for the artillery defending the Union position on the banks of the Tennessee River.