Union Forces Defeat Confederates at Shiloh
The Battle of Shiloh, fought in April 1862 near Shiloh, Tennessee, witnessed the Union Army of the Tennessee and the Army of the Ohio clashing with the Confederate Army of Mississippi. Over two days of intense fighting, both sides faced heavy casualties, but Union forces ultimately secured a strategic victory under the command of Generals Ulysses S. Grant and Don Carlos Buell. The battle highlighted the fierce determination of the Confederacy and the expanding scope of the Civil War as thousands of men engaged in one of the bloodiest battles of the conflict.
Fought from April 6 to 7, 1862.
Involved over 100,000 soldiers and significant fighting.
High casualty rates signaled war's brutality.
Union victory opened the path to the South.
What Happened?
The Battle of Shiloh, also known as the Battle of Pittsburg Landing, was a significant engagement in the early stages of the American Civil War. Occurring in April 1862, it represented one of the war's first major engagements in the Western Theater. The Union forces, under the command of Major General Ulysses S. Grant and Brigadier General Don Carlos Buell, faced off against the Confederate Army of Mississippi led by General Albert Sidney Johnston and General P.G.T. Beauregard. The battle erupted on the morning of April 6, when Confederate troops launched a surprise attack on Grant's unprepared forces. As the fighting commenced, the fierce combat resulted in severe casualties on both sides, with the Union suffering approximately 13,047 total casualties and the Confederates totaling around 10,699.By the end of April 7, the Union army had regrouped and counterattacked, bolstered by reinforcements under Buell. The day turned decisively in favor of the Union forces, leading to a retreat for the Confederate army. The battle ended with a Union victory, which was crucial in securing control over western Tennessee and opening the gateway to advancing into the Deep South. The aftermath of Shiloh revealed the brutal reality of the war and foreshadowed the heavy losses that would characterize subsequent battles throughout the conflict.
Why Does it Matter?
The Battle of Shiloh stands out in the annals of the Civil War due to its high casualties and the revelations it brought to the Union about the nature of the conflict. The fierce resistance of the Confederacy underscored the determination and resolve of Southern forces, which would be a defining characteristic of the war. It marked a turning point as the Union adopted more aggressive strategies in their military engagements, leading to an increase in the scale and violence of battles as the war progressed.