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

Summary of The First daylight With the loss of Forts Henry and Donelson in February, world(a) Johnston withdrew his unify forces into westerly Tennessee, northern Mississippi and Alabama to reorganize. In early March, General Halleck responded by edict General Grant to prod his Union Army of West Tennessee on an invasion up the Tennessee River. Occupying Pittsburg set down, 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 south in a joint offensive to seize the Memphis & trip the light fantastic Railroad, the Confederacys only east-west all weather supply route that linked the light Mississippi Valley 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 western 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 intend 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 mission discovered Johnstons army deployed for battle astride the Corinth road, just a mil 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 attendline Union division and capturing its camp. However, uncompromising resistance on the Federal right entangled Johnstons brigades in a savage fight around Shiloh Church. Throughout the day, Johnstons army hammer the Federal right, which gave ground but did not break.Meanwhile, Jo hnstons attack stalled in front of Sarah Bells peach orchard and the dense oak thicket labeled the hornets approach by the Confederates. Grants left flank withstood Confederate assaults for seven crucial hours ahead being forced to yield ground in the late afternoon. despite inflicting heavy casualties and seizing ground, the Confederates only drove Grant towards the river, instead of forth from it. The Federal survivors established a solid front before Pittsburg Landing and stopped the last Confederate charge as dusk cease the first day of fighting. The Second DayApril 7, 1862 Shilohs first day of flogging also witnessed the death of the Confederate leader, General Johnston, who fell at mid-afternoon, touch down by a stray bulle.