Battle of Shiloh

battle_name=Battle of Shiloh

Prelude to battle

After the loss of Forts Henry and Donelson in February, 1862, Confederate General Albert Sidney Johnston withdrew his forces into west Tennessee, northern Mississippi, and Alabama to reorganize. In early March, Union Major General Henry W. Halleck, commander of the western theater, responded by ordering Major General Ulysses S. Grant to advance his Army of West Tennessee on an invasion up the Tennessee River.

Related Topics:
Henry - Donelson - February - 1862 - Confederate - General - Albert Sidney Johnston - March - Union - Major General - Henry W. Halleck - Ulysses S. Grant - Army of West Tennessee - Tennessee River

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Grant occupied Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee, awaiting the arrival of Major General Don Carlos Buell's Army of the Ohio from Nashville. His orders from Halleck were to link up with Buell and advance south in a joint offensive to seize the Memphis & Charleston Railroad, a vital supply line between the Mississippi Valley, Memphis, and Richmond. Grant developed a reputation during the war for being more concerned with his own plans than with those of the enemy. His encampment at Pittsburg Landing displayed his most consequential lack of such concern—his army was spread out in bivouac style, many around the Shiloh Church, spending time waiting for Buell with drills, without entrenchments or other awareness of defensive measures.

Related Topics:
Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee - Don Carlos Buell - Army of the Ohio - Nashville - Memphis & Charleston Railroad - Memphis - Richmond

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Johnston named his scattered forces the Army of the Mississippi. He concentrated almost 55,000 men around Corinth, Mississippi, about 20 miles southwest of Grant's position. On April 3, Johnston departed from Corinth with about 44,000 men, hoping to surprise Grant before Buell arrived to join forces. The plan was to attack Grant's left and separate the Union army from its gunboat support (and avenue of retreat) on the Tennessee River, driving it west into the swamps of Snake and Owl Creeks, where it could be destroyed.

Related Topics:
Army of the Mississippi - Corinth, Mississippi - April 3

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Johnston's attack on Grant was originally planned for April 4, but the advance was delayed 48 hours. As a result, his second in command, General P.G.T. Beauregard, feared that the element of surprise had been lost and recommended withdrawing to Corinth. But Johnston refused to consider retreat.

Related Topics:
April 4 - P.G.T. Beauregard

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