The Shiloh Campaign

The battle of Shiloh on April 6-7, 1862, was the biggest battle of the Civil War up to that date. Confederate General A.S. Johnston's daring surprise attack failed and cost him his life. The gallant stand of the then unknown Union General Ulysses S. Grant created a new national hero and was the turning point in the career of the Civil Wars eventual victor.
The Union advance to Pittsburgh Landing. This was the opening of a new major campaign. Savannah was located on the right (eastern) bank of the Tennessee about 20 miles northeast of Corinth. Savannah was chosen as a base for the next stage of the campaign because of its accessibility to Buell's army, which Halleck was planning to order south from Nashville before he confronted the Confederate army at Corinth.

All three of the armies at Shiloh - Grant's, Buell's and Johnston's were composed mostly of green troops. A major part of only one, Grant's had previously seen significant combat. Shiloh was the first major battle in the West and neither side used an organization of the kind employed later for the rest of the war.



The Battlefield

The first evening of battle has the Union sprawled out across the table. The divisions were bathtubbed down to brigades. There were no prepared defenses or assigned battle lines. To signify the Union side caught in surprise each brigade on table was deployed in disorder.

Union Regiment in Disorder

Sherman ignoring warnings the Confederate army was nearby and ready to attack. Powell formed his men at 0300 on April 6th and moved south through he woods east of Fraley Field. Shortly after 0500 Powell's men ran into the advance skirmishers of Maj. A.B. Hardcastle's 3rd Mississippi Battalion. The battle of Shiloh had begun. Advancing to the woods line the Rebs charge the disordered Union troops.






Rebs Advance

 Advancing to the hill edge line the rebs charge the disordered Union troops.






Shiloh Church

 Two full brigades charged the Union line and on the left made good headway thur the disorder. The center somehow staved off the charging confederates. Attacking and defending green troops make for an interesting fight. The morale so fragile one misstep and so you are routed.




The Charging Rebs

More Rebs follow up the first wave of Rebs. Pushing back the center and also advancing on the right.




Advance on Right


Sherman's front breaks.


Rebs Breaking the Center

 
This is where the game ended. We will pick next week with the continuing fight of the Battle of Shiloh.