It happened 150 years ago today.
Posted on 04/07/2012 6:16:18 PM PDT by Upstate NY Guy
April 7, 1862 (Monday) Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee
General Grant tried to sleep, first under a tree near his men and then in a cabin that he found already occupied with the wounded. Through the night, Union transports and reinforcements arrived at Pittsburg Landing, bringing 25,000 much-needed men. Grant was certain that his line could withstand a Confederate attack. In fact, he was so certain, that he wanted to go on the offensive.
Meanwhile, General Beauregard, now the sole commander of the Confederate Army of Mississippi, slept in General Sherman’s tent, the former owner vacating it as the Rebels attacked the previous day. He had reported to President Davis a “complete victory,” but gave no clue as to how he would follow it up come morning. He had no idea that Union General Buell’s Army of the Ohio had joined Grant’s Army of the Tennessee. His army was scattered, disassociated and worn out. His plan must have been to attack as he took no precautions to defend against a Union assault. He believed he had Grant exactly where he wanted him. And he was wrong.
As the rains fell over friend and foe alike, Grant arrayed his men. He did not, however, command the entire Union force...
(Excerpt) Read more at civilwardailygazette.com ...
It happened 150 years ago today.
INVADING YANKEE AGGRRESORS SURPRISE CONFEDERATE PATRIOTS AT SHILOH
There, fixed it - accuracy is important even in 150 year old news stories.
lol Being from VA all my life, I always catch myself referring to the Confederacy as “our side”.
They Yankees came down out of love for the USA to “preserve” it with grapeshot and double canister. It was in all the papers. Funny way to preserve something.
...nether fought for slavery but to protect their homes from an invading foreign enemy, no more and no less.
150 years ago I would have been fighting alongside them but today I am glad the South lost because the US has done pretty well for itself since then.
...For about 100 years anyway. Though I wasn't yet alive at the time, I understand that we started going to hell back during the 1960s, and haven't looked back.
If it wasn’t for the South the USA would be a socialist/communist country by now. Personally I want out of this Union. Let the Socialist take New England and try to create Utopia on earth.
Let it go, Confederate Brothers.
It’s over. We have more pressing issues in our country right here and right now.
The next fight will find the offspring of good Americans from Maine to Texas, from Oregon to Florida, shoulder to shoulder in the lines. This struggle will be longer and harder than the last.
Pray for our patriots, regardless of from whence they come.
First the (Continental) Blue vs the (British) Red then the (Yankee) Blue vs the (Confederate) Gray followed by the (American) Red White and Blue vs the (Communist) Red and now back full circle to the Blue (states) vs the Red (states) again.
Freedom vs Tyranny in all it’s many colors.
Interestingly, the entry only briefly mentions one of the pivotal points of the battle, which occurred the day before. The overall commander of Confederate forces at Shiloh, General Albert Sidney Johnston, was killed while leading his men along the front lines.
Johnston, considered the Confederacy’s finest general (before the emergence of Robert E. Lee) took a bullet in the back of his knee—a round almost certainly fired by one of his own soldiers (at the time, Johnston was well in front of his leading elements). Initially, General Johnston didn’t believe his wound was serious, and told his staff physician to attend to a ground of wounded Union soldiers nearby. But within minutes, Johnston almost fell off his horse as he began to lose consciousness. The bullet had severed an artery in his leg, and he died a few minutes later from blood loss.
Johnston’s death left P.G.T Beauregard in command of Confederate forces. Beauregard, who was well behind the lines, had a poor understanding of the tactical picture and made one of the most controversial decisions of the war. Not realizing that Grant was near defeat, he made the decision to postpone another attack against Union lines until the next day. By that time, Buell had arrived with reinforcements, and Union forces rallied, defeating Beauregard decisively.
While it is possible to read too much into Johnston’s death, he was a far better commander, strategist and tactician than the incompetents who followed him, particularly Braxton Bragg and John Bell Hood. Bragg was a competent engineer, and Hood was a fine commander at the brigade and division level. But as a leader of armies, they were among the worst of the Civil War, and helped hasten the south’s defeat.
Interestingly, the entry only briefly mentions one of the pivotal points of the battle, which occurred the day before. The overall commander of Confederate forces at Shiloh, General Albert Sidney Johnston, was killed while leading his men along the front lines.
Johnston, considered the Confederacy’s finest general (before the emergence of Robert E. Lee) took a bullet in the back of his knee—a round almost certainly fired by one of his own soldiers (at the time, Johnston was well in front of his leading elements). Initially, General Johnston didn’t believe his wound was serious, and told his staff physician to attend to a ground of wounded Union soldiers nearby. But within minutes, Johnston almost fell off his horse as he began to lose consciousness. The bullet had severed an artery in his leg, and he died a few minutes later from blood loss.
Johnston’s death left P.G.T Beauregard in command of Confederate forces. Beauregard, who was well behind the lines, had a poor understanding of the tactical picture and made one of the most controversial decisions of the war. Not realizing that Grant was near defeat, he made the decision to postpone another attack against Union lines until the next day. By that time, Buell had arrived with reinforcements, and Union forces rallied, defeating Beauregard decisively.
While it is possible to read too much into Johnston’s death, he was a far better commander, strategist and tactician than the incompetents who followed him, particularly Braxton Bragg and John Bell Hood. Bragg was a competent engineer, and Hood was a fine commander at the brigade and division level. But as a leader of armies, they were among the worst of the Civil War, and helped hasten the south’s defeat.
Had a g-g-g- grandfather who died at Shiloh. Was in the 10th AR Infantry. RIP.
Makes sense to me....this is the 150th anniversary of the “War of Northern Agression”
It did stand out to me that the fighting was in Tennessee yet the “natives” were called “rebels”. Let the argument begin!
As for Shiloh, I first went there in 1966. I went back last year. Fascinating place.
If you’re ever near there, be sure and go to the Catfish Hotel. The best catfish you’ll ever eat. Ate some in 1966. Ate some last year. It was as good as I’d remembered.
Gen Johnston and Gen Cleburne were both from Helena, Arkansas, along with 5 other Confederate generals. Their descendents inherited nothing. I knew some of them. One of the Cleburnes was a barber. But the descendents of a Union Captain who was put in charge of the occupation ended up wealthy.
The prior days surprise attack and the death of Johnston are covered in yesterday's posting and article from the Civil War Daily Gazette.
I agree with your assesment about Beauregard's postponement. Grant's army was in a bad place the prior day. Quite a different outcome if Beauregard had pressed on the night before.
My God! We Are Attacked! Disorganized Surprise at Shiloh Church
Interesting. Thanks. I enjoy reading Victor Davis Hanson.
Very interesting, thanks. I hope to visit the battlefield soon. I can't wait until I retire and have the opportunity to visit the great Civil War sites in Tennessee.
There is an good follow up to the end of the battle in today's Daily Civil War Gazette. In the second part of this article they discuss Forrest's amazing charge and escape on day 3.
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