Battle of Shiloh Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Battle of Shiloh
Battle of Pittsburg in Landing

Part of the Western Theater of the American Civil War

The Battle of Shiloh by Thulstrup

Date	April 6–7, 1862
Location	Hardin County, Tennessee
Result	Union victory

Belligerents

United States

Confederate States

Commanders and leaders

Ulysses S. Grant
Don Carlos Buell

Albert Sidney Johnston †
P. G. T. Beauregard

Units involved

Army of Mississippi

Strength

∼ 63,000 (estimated):

Army of the Tennessee: 44,894
Army of the Ohio:
∼ 17,918

40,335

Casualties and losses

13,047

(1,754 killed;
8,408 wounded;
2,885 captured/missing)

10,699

(1,728 killed;
8,012 wounded;
959 captured/missing)

The Battle of Shiloh was a major battle during the American Civil War. It took place on April 6 and April 7, 1862, in Tennessee. It was one of the most violent battles of the entire war.

Why the Battle Happened
The Battle Begins
More Soldiers Arrive
The Second Day of Fighting
What Happened After
Interesting Facts About Shiloh
Images for kids
See also

Why the Battle Happened

The Union Army, led by Ulysses S. Grant, had won important victories. They captured Fort Henry and Fort Donelson in western Tennessee. These wins forced the Confederate Army to leave Kentucky and much of Tennessee.

Grant wanted to capture Corinth, Mississippi, next. Corinth was an important railroad hub. But his boss, Henry Halleck, told him to wait. Halleck wanted more Union soldiers to join Grant first.

So, Grant moved his army to Pittsburg Landing. This spot was on the Tennessee River. Near the landing was a small church called Shiloh Church. Grant's army camped there for several weeks.

Re-built Shiloh Church in 2006

The Confederate Army was led by Albert Sidney Johnston. His second-in-command was P. G. T. Beauregard. Beauregard planned to attack Grant's army. Confederate soldiers gathered in Corinth. On April 3rd, they began marching north towards Grant's camp. They planned a surprise attack for April 6th.

The Battle Begins

The battle started early on April 6th, just as the sun was rising. The Confederates surprised the Union Army. The fighting was very intense all day.

During the battle, General Johnston, the Confederate commander, was killed. This was a big loss for the Confederates. General Beauregard then took command. By the end of the day, Grant's army had to fall back to Pittsburg Landing.

More Soldiers Arrive

During the night, more Union soldiers arrived. These soldiers were part of the Army of the Ohio. They were led by General Don Carlos Buell. Their arrival gave the Union Army a big boost.

The Second Day of Fighting

Grant attacked the Confederates the next morning, April 7th. The two armies fought fiercely all morning and into the afternoon. By 4 p.m., General Beauregard decided to retreat. He led his Confederate troops back to Corinth.

What Happened After

The Battle of Shiloh was very costly for both sides. The Confederates had about 10,698 soldiers killed, wounded, or missing. The Union Army had even more losses, with about 14,500 soldiers killed, wounded, or missing.

Union soldiers buried the Confederate dead on the battlefield. This battle showed how bloody the Civil War would become.

Interesting Facts About Shiloh

Heavy rain delayed the Confederate attack. It was supposed to happen on April 4th, but it was pushed back to April 6th.
A Union officer, Colonel Everett Peabody, sent out a patrol before the battle. This patrol found the Confederate army. He was criticized for doing this without orders. But if he hadn't, the Union Army might have been completely surprised.
Albert Sidney Johnston was the highest-ranking officer to be killed in the entire American Civil War. He died after being shot in the leg at Shiloh.
The Battle of Shiloh is also known as the "Battle of Pittsburg Landing."