Summary of The First Day :: Battle of Shiloh War History Essays

Summary of The First Day With the loss of Forts Henry and Donelson in February, ordinary Johnston withdrew his attendant forces into occidental United States Tennessee, northern Mississippi and Alabama to reorganize. In early March, General Halleck responded by ordering General Grant to move his Union Army of West Tennessee on an invasion up the Tennessee River. Occupying Pittsburg Landing, Grant had no thought of a Confederate attack. Hallecks instructions were that following the arrival of General Buells Army of the Ohio from Nashville, Grant would move southern in a joint finish upensive to seize the Memphis & Charleston Railroad, the Confederacys only east-west all weather supply route that linked the lower Mississippi vale to cities on the Confederacys east coast. Assisted by General Beauregard, Johnston shifted his forces and placed almost 55,000 men around Corinth. Strategically located where the Memphis & Charleston crossed the Mobile & Ohio Railroad, Corinth was the we stern Confederacys most important rail junction. On April 3, realizing Buell would soon reinforce Grant, Johnston launched an offensive with his Army of the Mississippi. Moving upon Pittsburg Landing with 43,938 men, Johnston planned to surprise Grant, cut his army off from retreat to the Tennessee River, and drive the Federals west into the swamps of Owl Creek. In the light of dawn, April 6, a small Federal reconnaissance discovered Johnstons army deployed for battle astride the Corinth road, estimable a mile beyond the forward Federal camps. Storming forward, the Confederates found the Federal position unfortified. By mid-morning, the Confederates seemed within easy reach of victory, overrunning one frontline Union segment and capturing its camp. However, stiff resistance on the Federal right entangled Johnstons brigades in a savage fight around Shiloh Church. Throughout the day, Johnstons army beat the Federal right, which gave ground but did not break.Meanwhile, Johnstons att ack stalled in front of Sarah Bells peach orchard and the dense oak thicket labeled the hornets nest by the Confederates. Grants left flank withstood Confederate assaults for seven crucial hours before being forced to yield ground in the late afternoon. Despite inflicting heavy casualties and prehension ground, the Confederates only drove Grant towards the river, instead of away from it. The Federal survivors established a solid front before Pittsburg Landing and stopped the last Confederate charge as dusk ended the first day of fighting. The Second DayApril 7, 1862 Shilohs first day of slaughter also witnessed the death of the Confederate leader, General Johnston, who fell at mid-afternoon, struck down by a stray bulle.