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Shiloh
*Officers:*
- Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant
- Maj. Gen. Don Carlos Buell
- Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston
- Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard
*Soldiers:*
*Estimated Deaths:*
- As a result of the fall of Forts Henry and Donelson, Confederate
Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston, the commander in the area, was forced to give
up Kentucky and much of West and Middle Tennessee. He placed his forces
at Corinth, Mississippi, a major rail way area, and planned an attack against
Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and his Army of the Tennessee, hoping to strike
before the Army of the Ohio, under Maj. Gen. Don Carlos Buell, could join
it. It took Grant, with about 40,000 men, a pretty long time to arrive.
Grant received orders to await Buell's Army of the Ohio at Pittsburgh Landing
so they could join up. Grant did not choose to stay in his position; instead,
he set out marching his men many of which were new recruits. Johnston originally
planned to attack Grant on April 4, but it wasn't until the 6th. Attacking
the Union troops on the morning of the 6th, the Confederates surprised them,
routing many. Some Unions made strong stands and by afternoon had made themselves
a battle line at the sunken road, known as the "Hornets Nest."
Repeated Rebel attacks failed to take over the "Hornets Nest,"
but artillery helped to turn the battle around, Confederates surrounded
the Union troops and captured, killed, or wounded most. Johnston was mortally
wounded, and Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard took command. The Union troops made
another line covering Pittsburgh Landing, sitting there the last few of
them with there artillery. Also Buell's men began to arrive at Grant's side.
Fighting continued until after dark, but the Federals held there line. By
the next morning, the combined armies of Buell and Grant numbered about
40,000, outnumbering Beauregard's army of less than 30,000. Beauregard launched
a counterattack at Buell's army at 6:00 am, which was, at first, successful.
Union strength increased, and the Confederates were forced back. At this
point, Beauregard realized that he could not win and, having suffered too
many casualties, he fled from the field and headed back to Corinth. Grant
had succeed again and this amazing battle of team work and Union pride went
down in history.
Union Victory
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