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Winston Groom: The Battle of Shiloh 1862 | Nat Geo Live


the Battle of Shiloh in one sense it had

the Battle of Shiloh in one sense it had solved nothing except to keep the coffin

solved nothing except to keep the coffin

solved nothing except to keep the coffin makers busy everywhere the sights and

makers busy everywhere the sights and

makers busy everywhere the sights and the smells and blood and death with

the smells and blood and death with

the smells and blood and death with upwards of 25,000 set the stage for

upwards of 25,000 set the stage for

upwards of 25,000 set the stage for things to come

in the Civil War era when people spoke

in the Civil War era when people spoke of the Battle of Shiloh it was with a

of the Battle of Shiloh it was with a

of the Battle of Shiloh it was with a kind of awe and reverence not because it

kind of awe and reverence not because it

kind of awe and reverence not because it was the worst battle in terms of

was the worst battle in terms of

was the worst battle in terms of casualties but because it was a place of

casualties but because it was a place of

casualties but because it was a place of such dark Horrors in gloomy forest cut

such dark Horrors in gloomy forest cut

such dark Horrors in gloomy forest cut up with deep ravines and swamps and

up with deep ravines and swamps and

up with deep ravines and swamps and patched with deadly open farm fields and

patched with deadly open farm fields and

patched with deadly open farm fields and slain bodies piled high upon each other

slain bodies piled high upon each other

slain bodies piled high upon each other everywhere the sights and the smells of

everywhere the sights and the smells of

everywhere the sights and the smells of blood and death mixed with the pungent

blood and death mixed with the pungent

blood and death mixed with the pungent fragrance of early springtime general

fragrance of early springtime general

fragrance of early springtime general ulysses s grant wrote afterward that

ulysses s grant wrote afterward that

ulysses s grant wrote afterward that there were so many killed a man could

there were so many killed a man could

there were so many killed a man could walk across a huge cotton field merely

walk across a huge cotton field merely

walk across a huge cotton field merely by stepping on dead bodies without his

by stepping on dead bodies without his

by stepping on dead bodies without his feet ever touching the ground the place

feet ever touching the ground the place

feet ever touching the ground the place names of the battle had a chilling

names of the battle had a chilling

names of the battle had a chilling resonation

resonation

resonation the hornet’s nest the sunken road the

the hornet’s nest the sunken road the

the hornet’s nest the sunken road the peach orchard bloody pond before the war

peach orchard bloody pond before the war

peach orchard bloody pond before the war Pittsburg Landing was a remote hog and

Pittsburg Landing was a remote hog and

Pittsburg Landing was a remote hog and cotton steamboat dock on the Tennessee

cotton steamboat dock on the Tennessee

cotton steamboat dock on the Tennessee River but the battle took its name

River but the battle took its name

River but the battle took its name actually from the Shiloh Church a

actually from the Shiloh Church a

actually from the Shiloh Church a chenkin waterlogged meeting house not

chenkin waterlogged meeting house not

chenkin waterlogged meeting house not much better than a respectable Iowa corn

much better than a respectable Iowa corn

much better than a respectable Iowa corn crib but it was a house of God

crib but it was a house of God

crib but it was a house of God and ironically in Hebrew its name means

and ironically in Hebrew its name means

and ironically in Hebrew its name means place of peace one of the significant

place of peace one of the significant

place of peace one of the significant things about shallow and there are many

things about shallow and there are many

things about shallow and there are many is that it was so utterly shocking

is that it was so utterly shocking

is that it was so utterly shocking through the nation did to both nations

through the nation did to both nations

through the nation did to both nations as it were at the time for the first

as it were at the time for the first

as it were at the time for the first time it showed Americans on both sides

time it showed Americans on both sides

time it showed Americans on both sides that the war would not be over by

that the war would not be over by

that the war would not be over by Christmas as the common saying went it

Christmas as the common saying went it

Christmas as the common saying went it showed that there was no day t or shrewd

showed that there was no day t or shrewd

showed that there was no day t or shrewd military man knew

military man knew

military man knew that was going to put an end to the

that was going to put an end to the

that was going to put an end to the conflict instead people began to realize

conflict instead people began to realize

conflict instead people began to realize that by strolling a civil war they had

that by strolling a civil war they had

that by strolling a civil war they had unleashed a vast monstrosity a sort of

unleashed a vast monstrosity a sort of

unleashed a vast monstrosity a sort of long-term corpse factory it was going to

long-term corpse factory it was going to

long-term corpse factory it was going to drench the country and blood for years

drench the country and blood for years

drench the country and blood for years to come

to come

to come after the Battle of Bull Run the only

after the Battle of Bull Run the only

after the Battle of Bull Run the only other battle so far in the war people

other battle so far in the war people

other battle so far in the war people were horrified at 5,000 casualties at

were horrified at 5,000 casualties at

were horrified at 5,000 casualties at Bull Run

Bull Run

Bull Run then came Shiloh with upwards of 25,000

then came Shiloh with upwards of 25,000

then came Shiloh with upwards of 25,000 casualties and set the stage for things

casualties and set the stage for things

casualties and set the stage for things to come tactics and strategy in the

to come tactics and strategy in the

to come tactics and strategy in the Civil War had not kept up with advances

Civil War had not kept up with advances

Civil War had not kept up with advances in weaponry there’s an old military

in weaponry there’s an old military

in weaponry there’s an old military maxim that says generals always fight

maxim that says generals always fight

maxim that says generals always fight the last war which is quite true during

the last war which is quite true during

the last war which is quite true during the first years of the American Civil

the first years of the American Civil

the first years of the American Civil War military textbooks of the day

War military textbooks of the day

War military textbooks of the day preached Napoleonic tactics it was 50

preached Napoleonic tactics it was 50

preached Napoleonic tactics it was 50 years outmoded that call for armies to

years outmoded that call for armies to

years outmoded that call for armies to march with the most men to the sound of

march with the most men to the sound of

march with the most men to the sound of the guns mostly they marched to the

the guns mostly they marched to the

the guns mostly they marched to the slaughterhouse in early 1862 the war was

slaughterhouse in early 1862 the war was

slaughterhouse in early 1862 the war was scarcely a year old

scarcely a year old

scarcely a year old troops were green some perhaps had some

troops were green some perhaps had some

troops were green some perhaps had some state militia training a few and fought

state militia training a few and fought

state militia training a few and fought in the Mexican War 15 years earlier most

in the Mexican War 15 years earlier most

in the Mexican War 15 years earlier most Union generals seemed afraid to attack

Union generals seemed afraid to attack

Union generals seemed afraid to attack the rebels they seemed afraid for their

the rebels they seemed afraid for their

the rebels they seemed afraid for their reputations all that is except ulysses s

reputations all that is except ulysses s

reputations all that is except ulysses s grant grant was from Illinois where his

grant grant was from Illinois where his

grant grant was from Illinois where his father kept a tannery in a

father kept a tannery in a

father kept a tannery in a slaughterhouse and from the young age

slaughterhouse and from the young age

slaughterhouse and from the young age grant was revolted by the sight of blood

grant was revolted by the sight of blood

grant was revolted by the sight of blood at West Point he was an indifferent

at West Point he was an indifferent

at West Point he was an indifferent student and when he entered the service

student and when he entered the service

student and when he entered the service it was in the quartermaster Corps hardly

it was in the quartermaster Corps hardly

it was in the quartermaster Corps hardly a conspicuous branch of the service but

a conspicuous branch of the service but

a conspicuous branch of the service but during the Mexican War Grant stood out

during the Mexican War Grant stood out

during the Mexican War Grant stood out distinguished himself for his personal

distinguished himself for his personal

distinguished himself for his personal bravery in battle

bravery in battle

bravery in battle but afterward at a series of Army Post

but afterward at a series of Army Post

but afterward at a series of Army Post in California grant gained a reputation

in California grant gained a reputation

in California grant gained a reputation as a drunkard and ultimately he was

as a drunkard and ultimately he was

as a drunkard and ultimately he was forced to resign from the service in

forced to resign from the service in

forced to resign from the service in civilian life he continued to fail he

civilian life he continued to fail he

civilian life he continued to fail he failed as a farming failed as a

failed as a farming failed as a

failed as a farming failed as a businessman if an he took a job is a

businessman if an he took a job is a

businessman if an he took a job is a last resort in his father’s leather

last resort in his father’s leather

last resort in his father’s leather goods store in Illinois which was where

goods store in Illinois which was where

goods store in Illinois which was where war found him he was given a job at

war found him he was given a job at

war found him he was given a job at first training state troops more

first training state troops more

first training state troops more explicitly he was asked to take over

explicitly he was asked to take over

explicitly he was asked to take over regiment of volunteers who were

regiment of volunteers who were

regiment of volunteers who were described by the governor as a mob of

described by the governor as a mob of

described by the governor as a mob of chicken thieves led by a drunkard

amazingly carnal grant whipped these

amazingly carnal grant whipped these miscreants into shape and was given more

miscreants into shape and was given more

miscreants into shape and was given more regiments which formed brigade he became

regiments which formed brigade he became

regiments which formed brigade he became a brigadier general

a brigadier general

a brigadier general he soon distinguished himself by taking

he soon distinguished himself by taking

he soon distinguished himself by taking a small army to capture the rebel force

a small army to capture the rebel force

a small army to capture the rebel force Henry and Fort Donaldson on the

Henry and Fort Donaldson on the

Henry and Fort Donaldson on the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers

Tennessee and Cumberland rivers

Tennessee and Cumberland rivers respectively which opened those

respectively which opened those

respectively which opened those waterways to Union vessels and then

waterways to Union vessels and then

waterways to Union vessels and then using Union gunboats and steam

using Union gunboats and steam

using Union gunboats and steam transports he pushed south until he came

transports he pushed south until he came

transports he pushed south until he came to Pittsburg Landing grants army now

to Pittsburg Landing grants army now

to Pittsburg Landing grants army now consisted of about 50,000 men his

consisted of about 50,000 men his

consisted of about 50,000 men his instructions were to wait at Pittsburg

instructions were to wait at Pittsburg

instructions were to wait at Pittsburg Landing for Union General Don Carlos

Landing for Union General Don Carlos

Landing for Union General Don Carlos Buell and his army of 22,000 who were

Buell and his army of 22,000 who were

Buell and his army of 22,000 who were marching overland from Nashville and

marching overland from Nashville and

marching overland from Nashville and when combined their forces would be

when combined their forces would be

when combined their forces would be irresistible to anything the Confederacy

irresistible to anything the Confederacy

irresistible to anything the Confederacy could throw at it less than 20 miles

could throw at it less than 20 miles

could throw at it less than 20 miles south was the Mississippi town of

south was the Mississippi town of

south was the Mississippi town of Corinth where the rebel General Andrew

Corinth where the rebel General Andrew

Corinth where the rebel General Andrew Sidney Johnston had gathered about

Sidney Johnston had gathered about

Sidney Johnston had gathered about 45,000 rebel soldiers as a

45,000 rebel soldiers as a

45,000 rebel soldiers as a second-in-command Johnson had been sent

second-in-command Johnson had been sent

second-in-command Johnson had been sent a delightfully named General Pierre

a delightfully named General Pierre

a delightfully named General Pierre Gustav Teuton Beauregard hiroba Nasus

Gustav Teuton Beauregard hiroba Nasus

Gustav Teuton Beauregard hiroba Nasus and no

and no

and no as the quaint Creole the Confederates

as the quaint Creole the Confederates

as the quaint Creole the Confederates knew that Buell join grant the Union

knew that Buell join grant the Union

knew that Buell join grant the Union forces would be too strong to conquer

forces would be too strong to conquer

forces would be too strong to conquer Johnson wanted to wait for another rebel

Johnson wanted to wait for another rebel

Johnson wanted to wait for another rebel army of 10,000 that was marching its way

army of 10,000 that was marching its way

army of 10,000 that was marching its way from Arkansas but Beauregard urging

from Arkansas but Beauregard urging

from Arkansas but Beauregard urging immediate attack on Grant and Johnson

immediate attack on Grant and Johnson

immediate attack on Grant and Johnson agreed rain and mass confusion delayed

agreed rain and mass confusion delayed

agreed rain and mass confusion delayed the Confederate attack by three days

possibly a fatal error but somehow by

possibly a fatal error but somehow by April 6th 1862 they managed to sneak

April 6th 1862 they managed to sneak

April 6th 1862 they managed to sneak this huge rebel army into the woods less

this huge rebel army into the woods less

this huge rebel army into the woods less than a mile from the Union Ford

than a mile from the Union Ford

than a mile from the Union Ford positions at dawn the rebel assault

positions at dawn the rebel assault

positions at dawn the rebel assault began there were three Confederate

began there were three Confederate

began there were three Confederate battle lines each two miles long

battle lines each two miles long

battle lines each two miles long stirring site each containing about ten

stirring site each containing about ten

stirring site each containing about ten to twelve thousand men one Yankee

to twelve thousand men one Yankee

to twelve thousand men one Yankee soldiers said that the rebels looked as

soldiers said that the rebels looked as

soldiers said that the rebels looked as if to be on parade they marched out of

if to be on parade they marched out of

if to be on parade they marched out of the tree line their bands playing a

the tree line their bands playing a

the tree line their bands playing a drummers drumming the flags waving

drummers drumming the flags waving

drummers drumming the flags waving thousands of bayonets blending in the

thousands of bayonets blending in the

thousands of bayonets blending in the morning sunlight officers on horseback

morning sunlight officers on horseback

morning sunlight officers on horseback and above all the chilling rebel yell

and above all the chilling rebel yell

and above all the chilling rebel yell something primal I bet that rebel yell

something primal I bet that rebel yell

something primal I bet that rebel yell Indian possibly it was once described as

Indian possibly it was once described as

Indian possibly it was once described as sounding like a pack of 50,000 yelping

sounding like a pack of 50,000 yelping

sounding like a pack of 50,000 yelping beagles but whatever it was it was so

beagles but whatever it was it was so

beagles but whatever it was it was so uncanny coming through the woods it was

uncanny coming through the woods it was

uncanny coming through the woods it was said to cause a shiver to anyone with an

said to cause a shiver to anyone with an

said to cause a shiver to anyone with an ear sight

how the Federal Army got surprised has

how the Federal Army got surprised has never been satisfactorily explained

never been satisfactorily explained

never been satisfactorily explained grants engineer laid out camps with a

grants engineer laid out camps with a

grants engineer laid out camps with a mind toward sanitation and convenience

mind toward sanitation and convenience

mind toward sanitation and convenience like Boy Scouts rather than for defense

like Boy Scouts rather than for defense

like Boy Scouts rather than for defense in fact there were many warnings of a

in fact there were many warnings of a

in fact there were many warnings of a rebel presence but these were not heeded

rebel presence but these were not heeded

rebel presence but these were not heeded General William Tecumseh Sherman

General William Tecumseh Sherman

General William Tecumseh Sherman actually had one sergeant arrested for

actually had one sergeant arrested for

actually had one sergeant arrested for promoting false rumors it was on April

promoting false rumors it was on April

promoting false rumors it was on April the 6th 1862 a lovely spring morning

the 6th 1862 a lovely spring morning

the 6th 1862 a lovely spring morning peach orchards and dogwoods were in

peach orchards and dogwoods were in

peach orchards and dogwoods were in blossom and the forest floor was

blossom and the forest floor was

blossom and the forest floor was carpeted with violets in the Union camps

carpeted with violets in the Union camps

carpeted with violets in the Union camps men were finishing breakfast they were

men were finishing breakfast they were

men were finishing breakfast they were shining shoes are cleaning their rifles

shining shoes are cleaning their rifles

shining shoes are cleaning their rifles in some cases attending Sunday services

in some cases attending Sunday services

in some cases attending Sunday services many diarists report how many birds were

many diarists report how many birds were

many diarists report how many birds were singing that morning there was not a

singing that morning there was not a

singing that morning there was not a cloud in the sky but on the horizon it

cloud in the sky but on the horizon it

cloud in the sky but on the horizon it grew darker as the rebel hosts advanced

grew darker as the rebel hosts advanced

grew darker as the rebel hosts advanced in the Confederate lines was

in the Confederate lines was

in the Confederate lines was eighteen-year-old Henry Morton Stanley

eighteen-year-old Henry Morton Stanley

eighteen-year-old Henry Morton Stanley who one day would become famous as the

who one day would become famous as the

who one day would become famous as the great African Explorer who discovered

great African Explorer who discovered

great African Explorer who discovered dr. Livingstone at least he ran into him

dr. Livingstone at least he ran into him

dr. Livingstone at least he ran into him darkest Africa just before the battle

darkest Africa just before the battle

darkest Africa just before the battle Stanley reached down and picked its

Stanley reached down and picked its

Stanley reached down and picked its handful of violets tucked them in chat

handful of violets tucked them in chat

handful of violets tucked them in chat ban he means that any Yankee seeing him

ban he means that any Yankee seeing him

ban he means that any Yankee seeing him with flowers in his hair would hesitate

with flowers in his hair would hesitate

with flowers in his hair would hesitate to shoot him later Stanley was to say of

to shoot him later Stanley was to say of

to shoot him later Stanley was to say of the so called glory of war it was all a

the so called glory of war it was all a

the so called glory of war it was all a glittering lie

they’re well-known writers in both

they’re well-known writers in both armies that day general Lew Wallace of

armies that day general Lew Wallace of

armies that day general Lew Wallace of Indiana was commanding the division

Indiana was commanding the division

Indiana was commanding the division under Grant he would go on to write the

under Grant he would go on to write the

under Grant he would go on to write the most popular novel of the 19th century

most popular novel of the 19th century

most popular novel of the 19th century ben-hur ambrose bierce was a young

ben-hur ambrose bierce was a young

ben-hur ambrose bierce was a young lieutenant Buell’s army who one day

lieutenant Buell’s army who one day

lieutenant Buell’s army who one day become among the most popular of the

become among the most popular of the

become among the most popular of the american writers who would publish a

american writers who would publish a

american writers who would publish a million other works the so called

million other works the so called

million other works the so called Devil’s dictionary which is still in

Devil’s dictionary which is still in

Devil’s dictionary which is still in print and there was Sam Houston jr. the

print and there was Sam Houston jr. the

print and there was Sam Houston jr. the son of the man known as the father of

son of the man known as the father of

son of the man known as the father of Texas who were called it with his

Texas who were called it with his

Texas who were called it with his regiment marched into the heavy Union

regiment marched into the heavy Union

regiment marched into the heavy Union fire our line actually seemed to wither

fire our line actually seemed to wither

fire our line actually seemed to wither and curl up what a remarkable

and curl up what a remarkable

and curl up what a remarkable description at first the rebel attack

description at first the rebel attack

description at first the rebel attack was immensely successful Union divisions

was immensely successful Union divisions

was immensely successful Union divisions have batted back more than a mile and

have batted back more than a mile and

have batted back more than a mile and thrown on one another in a fearful

thrown on one another in a fearful

thrown on one another in a fearful slaughter in a matter of minutes six a

slaughter in a matter of minutes six a

slaughter in a matter of minutes six a sixth gun Union battery Auto Ribery

sixth gun Union battery Auto Ribery

sixth gun Union battery Auto Ribery reported 50 bits Gunners were killed all

reported 50 bits Gunners were killed all

reported 50 bits Gunners were killed all of its horses except to reserve but by

of its horses except to reserve but by

of its horses except to reserve but by late morning General Grant had reached

late morning General Grant had reached

late morning General Grant had reached the battlefield from the mansion nine

the battlefield from the mansion nine

the battlefield from the mansion nine miles downriver where he had kept his

miles downriver where he had kept his

miles downriver where he had kept his headquarters afterward he would receive

headquarters afterward he would receive

headquarters afterward he would receive severe criticism for not staying close

severe criticism for not staying close

severe criticism for not staying close to his army both flanks of the Federal

to his army both flanks of the Federal

to his army both flanks of the Federal Army were giving way but in the center

Army were giving way but in the center

Army were giving way but in the center was a deadly pocket of resistance that

was a deadly pocket of resistance that

was a deadly pocket of resistance that came to be known as the hornet’s nest

came to be known as the hornet’s nest

came to be known as the hornet’s nest and near it the sunken road where the

and near it the sunken road where the

and near it the sunken road where the rebels expended themselves in attack

rebels expended themselves in attack

rebels expended themselves in attack after attack after attack only to see

after attack after attack only to see

after attack after attack only to see their dead heaped in piles before the

their dead heaped in piles before the

their dead heaped in piles before the ferocious Union cannon fire there was a

ferocious Union cannon fire there was a

ferocious Union cannon fire there was a nine year old girl on the battlefield

nine year old girl on the battlefield

nine year old girl on the battlefield that day her name was Elsie Duncan the

that day her name was Elsie Duncan the

that day her name was Elsie Duncan the family owned a farm in the vicinity of

family owned a farm in the vicinity of

family owned a farm in the vicinity of Pittsburg Landing they had been caught

Pittsburg Landing they had been caught

Pittsburg Landing they had been caught in the surprise like everyone else and

in the surprise like everyone else and

in the surprise like everyone else and else who remembered years later in a

else who remembered years later in a

else who remembered years later in a memoir that the battle began at our

memoir that the battle began at our

memoir that the battle began at our front gate and swept through leaving

front gate and swept through leaving

front gate and swept through leaving behind the bodies of dead men and dead

behind the bodies of dead men and dead

behind the bodies of dead men and dead horses by mid-afternoon on

horses by mid-afternoon on

horses by mid-afternoon on April 6th general Johnson commanding

April 6th general Johnson commanding

April 6th general Johnson commanding Federal Army of the mana Confederate

Federal Army of the mana Confederate

Federal Army of the mana Confederate Army alligator Lee was killed while

Army alligator Lee was killed while

Army alligator Lee was killed while personally leading a charge against the

personally leading a charge against the

personally leading a charge against the hornet’s nest

he had a regiment of Tennesseans who

he had a regiment of Tennesseans who refused to fight he said Tennesseans who

refused to fight he said Tennesseans who

refused to fight he said Tennesseans who would not fight I’ll lead them and he

would not fight I’ll lead them and he

would not fight I’ll lead them and he did today it would be unthinkable in

did today it would be unthinkable in

did today it would be unthinkable in military sites it takes us losses

military sites it takes us losses

military sites it takes us losses against an enemy strongpoints

against an enemy strongpoints

against an enemy strongpoints by fired maneuver today you would simply

by fired maneuver today you would simply

by fired maneuver today you would simply isolate by passively with the wither but

isolate by passively with the wither but

isolate by passively with the wither but they weren’t using today’s tactics

they weren’t using today’s tactics

they weren’t using today’s tactics Johnson general Johnson took him on his

Johnson general Johnson took him on his

Johnson general Johnson took him on his horse took a bullet through the back of

horse took a bullet through the back of

horse took a bullet through the back of his knee he didn’t even know he’d been

his knee he didn’t even know he’d been

his knee he didn’t even know he’d been hit but it severed an artery and he bled

hit but it severed an artery and he bled

hit but it severed an artery and he bled to death the supreme irony was that only

to death the supreme irony was that only

to death the supreme irony was that only a few minutes before he had sent his

a few minutes before he had sent his

a few minutes before he had sent his personal physician away to tend to some

personal physician away to tend to some

personal physician away to tend to some Yankee wounded if his physician had been

Yankee wounded if his physician had been

Yankee wounded if his physician had been there he could have tied that wound off

there he could have tied that wound off

there he could have tied that wound off in a few moments and in Johnson would

in a few moments and in Johnson would

in a few moments and in Johnson would have lived but general Beauregard now

have lived but general Beauregard now

have lived but general Beauregard now took charge and the fighting continued

took charge and the fighting continued

took charge and the fighting continued by late that afternoon the hornet’s nest

by late that afternoon the hornet’s nest

by late that afternoon the hornet’s nest had been taken by the rebels along with

had been taken by the rebels along with

had been taken by the rebels along with an entire Union division and its

an entire Union division and its

an entire Union division and its commander an apprentice at last as the

commander an apprentice at last as the

commander an apprentice at last as the Sun began to set the Confederate

Sun began to set the Confederate

Sun began to set the Confederate onslaught had cornered what remained it

onslaught had cornered what remained it

onslaught had cornered what remained it of grants army with its back to the wall

of grants army with its back to the wall

of grants army with its back to the wall at the landing itself and the rebels

at the landing itself and the rebels

at the landing itself and the rebels prepared for one last great charge that

prepared for one last great charge that

prepared for one last great charge that would end the mountain and destroy the

would end the mountain and destroy the

would end the mountain and destroy the Union Army but this never happened

general Buell had arrived across the

general Buell had arrived across the Tennessee River late that afternoon and

Tennessee River late that afternoon and

Tennessee River late that afternoon and his army began crossing on steamboat to

his army began crossing on steamboat to

his army began crossing on steamboat to supplant the thinned-out racks of

supplant the thinned-out racks of

supplant the thinned-out racks of general Grant’s force and as the rebels

general Grant’s force and as the rebels

general Grant’s force and as the rebels were gathered for a final charge they

were gathered for a final charge they

were gathered for a final charge they thought would have ended the fight word

thought would have ended the fight word

thought would have ended the fight word came from general Beauregard the

came from general Beauregard the

came from general Beauregard the ceasefire and retire from the firing

ceasefire and retire from the firing

ceasefire and retire from the firing line unfortunately for the southern

line unfortunately for the southern

line unfortunately for the southern force this new Confederate commander had

force this new Confederate commander had

force this new Confederate commander had remained at shallow Church two miles

remained at shallow Church two miles

remained at shallow Church two miles away from the present fighting he had

away from the present fighting he had

away from the present fighting he had sent a telegram that afternoon to

sent a telegram that afternoon to

sent a telegram that afternoon to Jefferson Davis in Richmond saying the

Jefferson Davis in Richmond saying the

Jefferson Davis in Richmond saying the day is ours premature yeah Beauregard

day is ours premature yeah Beauregard

day is ours premature yeah Beauregard felt that they had been successful F

felt that they had been successful F

felt that they had been successful F that day and he could easily finish off

that day and he could easily finish off

that day and he could easily finish off grant in the morning imagine his

grant in the morning imagine his

grant in the morning imagine his surprise next day word got back that

surprise next day word got back that

surprise next day word got back that Grant had been reinforced with 10 at

Grant had been reinforced with 10 at

Grant had been reinforced with 10 at 20,000 fresh men on the field

Beauregard with his own losses could

Beauregard with his own losses could scarcely count that many men in his army

scarcely count that many men in his army

scarcely count that many men in his army at that point all morning the fresh

at that point all morning the fresh

at that point all morning the fresh Yankee army pushed back the rebels first

Yankee army pushed back the rebels first

Yankee army pushed back the rebels first to their original lines and then beyond

to their original lines and then beyond

to their original lines and then beyond about 2:00 p.m. one of Beauregard’s

about 2:00 p.m. one of Beauregard’s

about 2:00 p.m. one of Beauregard’s aides suggested that they might best

aides suggested that they might best

aides suggested that they might best call it a day

call it a day

call it a day and the great Creole agreed replying I

and the great Creole agreed replying I

and the great Creole agreed replying I intend to withdraw within 10 minutes

intend to withdraw within 10 minutes

intend to withdraw within 10 minutes time thus ended the Battle of Shiloh in

time thus ended the Battle of Shiloh in

time thus ended the Battle of Shiloh in one sense it had solved nothing except

one sense it had solved nothing except

one sense it had solved nothing except to keep the coffin makers busy there was

to keep the coffin makers busy there was

to keep the coffin makers busy there was no triumphal surrender no captured

no triumphal surrender no captured

no triumphal surrender no captured destruction of the rebel army but grant

destruction of the rebel army but grant

destruction of the rebel army but grant still held his field – about 12,000

still held his field – about 12,000

still held his field – about 12,000 casualties and Beauregard staggered back

casualties and Beauregard staggered back

casualties and Beauregard staggered back to Christ with about the same number of

to Christ with about the same number of

to Christ with about the same number of kill wounded and captured

kill wounded and captured

kill wounded and captured grant had escaped destruction by very

grant had escaped destruction by very

grant had escaped destruction by very narrow margin and it was his own fault

narrow margin and it was his own fault

narrow margin and it was his own fault for not fortifying for not patrolling to

for not fortifying for not patrolling to

for not fortifying for not patrolling to the south where the enemy was known to

the south where the enemy was known to

the south where the enemy was known to reside on the other hand grants tenacity

reside on the other hand grants tenacity

reside on the other hand grants tenacity saved the Union a deep embarrassment if

saved the Union a deep embarrassment if

saved the Union a deep embarrassment if not a catastrophe if grant had been

not a catastrophe if grant had been

not a catastrophe if grant had been forced to surrender there was a little

forced to surrender there was a little

forced to surrender there was a little between the Confederate Army in the

between the Confederate Army in the

between the Confederate Army in the great cities in the Midwest Chicago

great cities in the Midwest Chicago

great cities in the Midwest Chicago Cincinnati even Cleveland the state of

Cincinnati even Cleveland the state of

Cincinnati even Cleveland the state of Kentucky almost certainly would have

Kentucky almost certainly would have

Kentucky almost certainly would have been lost in the Union and probably

been lost in the Union and probably

been lost in the Union and probably Missouri as well a calamity Lincoln

Missouri as well a calamity Lincoln

Missouri as well a calamity Lincoln would have been forced to pull his

would have been forced to pull his

would have been forced to pull his armies out of Virginia at the worst

armies out of Virginia at the worst

armies out of Virginia at the worst possible moment and so Lincoln and the

possible moment and so Lincoln and the

possible moment and so Lincoln and the nation had grant to think that that did

nation had grant to think that that did

nation had grant to think that that did not happen but but when the casualty

not happen but but when the casualty

not happen but but when the casualty figures from shallow became known great

figures from shallow became known great

figures from shallow became known great scorn and shame was heaped on grant by

scorn and shame was heaped on grant by

scorn and shame was heaped on grant by the press and by the politicians while

the press and by the politicians while

the press and by the politicians while rumors spread that Union soldiers had

rumors spread that Union soldiers had

rumors spread that Union soldiers had been so surprised they were bayonetted

been so surprised they were bayonetted

been so surprised they were bayonetted to death in their tents in their sleep

to death in their tents in their sleep

to death in their tents in their sleep everyone was calling for grants head on

everyone was calling for grants head on

everyone was calling for grants head on the false rumor that he had been drunk

the false rumor that he had been drunk

the false rumor that he had been drunk during the Belle époque refer Lincoln

during the Belle époque refer Lincoln

during the Belle époque refer Lincoln is supposed to reply did grant William

is supposed to reply did grant William

is supposed to reply did grant William drunk found out what kind of whiskey he

drunk found out what kind of whiskey he

drunk found out what kind of whiskey he drinks and send a barrel to rest of my

drinks and send a barrel to rest of my

drinks and send a barrel to rest of my generals if there is no proof that

generals if there is no proof that

generals if there is no proof that Lincoln actually said that there is

Lincoln actually said that there is

Lincoln actually said that there is evidence and I’ve seen it that he

evidence and I’ve seen it that he

evidence and I’ve seen it that he confronted grants detractors with these

confronted grants detractors with these

confronted grants detractors with these words I can’t spare that man he fights

with the battle over went on to greater

with the battle over went on to greater things at Vicksburg and then East to

things at Vicksburg and then East to

things at Vicksburg and then East to take command of all the federal armies

take command of all the federal armies

take command of all the federal armies and to face Robin Ely in Virginia

and to face Robin Ely in Virginia

and to face Robin Ely in Virginia grant himself had been one of those to

grant himself had been one of those to

grant himself had been one of those to believe that the war would be be short

believe that the war would be be short

believe that the war would be be short and one great battle would decide it

and one great battle would decide it

and one great battle would decide it Shiloh changed his mind after that grant

Shiloh changed his mind after that grant

Shiloh changed his mind after that grant concluded that the war would not be won

concluded that the war would not be won

concluded that the war would not be won until

until

until the entire South was in his word

the entire South was in his word

the entire South was in his word subjugated or totally crushed and that

subjugated or totally crushed and that

subjugated or totally crushed and that inform Grant’s future tactics and

inform Grant’s future tactics and

inform Grant’s future tactics and strategy most especially the fearful

strategy most especially the fearful

strategy most especially the fearful slaughter in Virginia in 1864 it had

slaughter in Virginia in 1864 it had

slaughter in Virginia in 1864 it had become at last a war of attrition so

become at last a war of attrition so

become at last a war of attrition so there you have it the Battle of Shiloh

there you have it the Battle of Shiloh

there you have it the Battle of Shiloh and if there is any overarching

and if there is any overarching

and if there is any overarching significance to that battle I think it

significance to that battle I think it

significance to that battle I think it might be this that once again it

might be this that once again it

might be this that once again it demonstrates Americans or an exceptional

demonstrates Americans or an exceptional

demonstrates Americans or an exceptional people that they are willing to fight

people that they are willing to fight

people that they are willing to fight and to die if necessary for ideas rather

and to die if necessary for ideas rather

and to die if necessary for ideas rather than for conquest of territory and for

than for conquest of territory and for

than for conquest of territory and for ideals rather than pillage and plunder

ideals rather than pillage and plunder

ideals rather than pillage and plunder an exceptional distinction by any

an exceptional distinction by any

an exceptional distinction by any measure thank you

measure thank you

measure thank you [Music]

[Music]

[Music] [Applause]

[Applause]

[Applause] [Music]

[Music]

[Music] Oh

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