Battle of Shiloh Flashcards
When did the Battle of Shiloh take place?
April 6-7 1862
Where was the Battle of Shiloh fought?
Along the Tennessee River
Who were the commanding generals at Shiloh?
Union: General Ulysses S. Grant
Confederate: Generals P.G.T. Beauregard and Albert Sidney Johnston
What was Grant’s strategic objective before the battle?
To secure railway junctions in Tennessee prior to an advance down the Mississippi River
What tactical error did Grant make before the battle?
He made few defensive preparations at his camp, leaving his forces vulnerable to surprise attack
What happened on the first day of battle (April 6)?
The Confederate surprise attack drove Grant’s forces back to the Tennessee River and significantly weakened them
How did Grant turn the tide on the second day?
He planned a counterattack, supported by newly arrived reinforcements and firepower from Union gunboats
What were the Union casualties at Shiloh?
13,000 total casualties
What were the Confederate casualties at Shiloh?
10,600 total casualties
Which significant Confederate leader was killed at Shiloh?
General Albert Johnston (considered the South’s most able commander at the time)
How did the Battle of Shiloh affect Grant’s military reputation?
It damaged his reputation, but was saved by Lincoln’s continued support
How did Shiloh’s casualties compare to the earlier Battle of Bull Run?
Shiloh had approximately four times the casualties of the first encounter at Bull Run
What lesson did the Battle of Shiloh teach about the nature of the Civil War?
It demonstrated that the war would not be won by a single decisive battle and would involve heavy casualties
