Battle of Shiloh: Difference between revisions

The [[Army of the Tennessee]] had the most Union men present at the battle, and it was commanded by Major General Ulysses S. Grant.<ref name="Shaara6"/><ref name="Scott100">{{harvnb|Scott|1884|p=100}}</ref> InTwo Februarymonths 1862earlier, a smaller version of [[Ulysses S. Grant and the American Civil War#Battles of Belmont, Fort Henry, and Fort Donelson|Grant's army]], with the assistance of gunboats under the command of [[Flag officer|Flag-Officer]] [[Andrew Hull Foote|Andrew H. Foote]], had been the victor in the Battle of Fort Henry and the Battle of Fort Donelson. Grant had had three infantry divisions in that campaign, commanded by John McClernand, Charles F. Smith, and Lew Wallace.<ref name="Shaara5"/>{{#tag:ref|Grant received national attention after the two victories in Tennessee. Theand jealouspromotion to major general of volunteers. Major General Henry Halleck attempted to "knocksideline Grant and accused him down"of drunkenness and failing to obey orders--this was attributed to machinations by usingthe untruejealous accusationsBuell ofand excessHalleck's drinkingpersonal frustration at being denied ultimate command in the Western theater. However, Halleck did get the command he sought in mid-March and neglecthis offeud with Grant reportssubsided.<ref name="Chernow189">{{harvnb|Chernow|2017|p=189}}</ref> Grant was removed from command on March 4 and replaced by Major General [[Charles Ferguson Smith|Charles F. Smith]], less than three weeks after achieving the greatest Union victory (at that time) of the war.<ref name="Daniel53">{{harvnb|Daniel|1997|p=53}}</ref> After [[President of the United States|President]] [[Abraham Lincoln]] indirectly requested backup for the accusations against Grant, and Halleck received a promotion on March 11, Halleck stated that Grant had never been insubordinate and restored him to command.<ref name="Chernow194">{{harvnb|Chernow|2017|p=194}}</ref> Grant arrived in Savannah on March 17 to reassume command.<ref name="Cunningham84">{{harvnb|Cunningham|2009|p=84}}</ref>|group=Note}} For the Battle of Shiloh, Grant's army had 48,894 men in six divisions.<ref name="Daniel322"/> Two new divisions (4th and 5th) were added to Grant's three in early March.<ref name="Cunningham74">{{harvnb|Cunningham|2009|p=74}}</ref> A 6th Division was created from reinforcement units at the beginning of April. Charles F. Smith had been named by Halleck to command the expedition down the Tennessee River with the idea of sidelining Grant and operational command of his division went to W.H.L. Wallace, but Smith was injured in an accident in mid-March and died on April 25. On April 5, Grant learned that McClernand and Lew Wallace had both been promoted to major generals of volunteers despite neither man being a professional soldier.<ref name="Cunningham107">{{harvnb|Cunningham|2009|p=107}}</ref> The divisions (and gunboats) were as follows:

Around 5:30{{nbsp}}am, Confederate leaders heard the commotion at Fraley Field, and Johnston ordered a general attack.<ref name="Daniel144"/> Johnston instructed Beauregard to stay in the rear and direct men and supplies as needed. Johnston rode to the front to lead the men on the battle line, and this arrangement effectively ceded control of the battle to Beauregard.<ref name="Eicher226">{{harvnb|Eicher|2001|p=226}}</ref>{{#tag:ref|Johnston was under tremendous pressure to perform well after the losses in Tennessee.<ref name="McPherson405"/> He felt that he could make his army more effective by inspiring his inexperienced troops in person.<ref name="Esposito34">{{harvnb|Esposito|1959|p=34}}</ref>|group=Note}} On the Union side, Powell sent a message to Colonel Peabody that he was being driven back by an enemy force of several thousand.<ref name="Daniel145">{{harvnb|Daniel|1997|p=145}}</ref> Hearing the fighting, Prentiss soon learned that Peabody had sent out a patrol without authorization. Prentiss was outraged and accused Peabody of provoking a major engagement in violation of Grant's orders. However, he soon understood that he was facing a large Confederate force and sent reinforcements.<ref name="Daniel147">{{harvnb|Daniel|1997|p=147}}</ref> Peabody's patrol, with Powell leading, partially ruined the planned Confederate surprise and gave thousands of Union soldiers time (although brief) to prepare for battle.<ref name="Cunningham154">{{harvnb|Cunningham|2009|p=154}}</ref> Although Peabody's patrol had alerted the Union army, some Union leaders were not convinced that they were under attack. Sherman was not convinced until he wassustained slightlya woundedgrazing wound to his hand, and one of his orderlies shot dead, after a 7:00{{nbsp}}am ride to investigate the commotion near Rea Field.<ref name="Daniel158">{{harvnb|Daniel|1997|p=158}}</ref>