Battle of Shiloh

The battle of Shiloh was one of the most pivotal battles of the Civil War, with a victory to the Union Army that allowed for a succession of battles in the Mississippi valley and eventually the siege of Vicksburg soon after. The battle took place on April 6-7, 1862 with Confederate forces outnumbered by nearly 30 percent. Confederate forces lead by Johnston and Beauregard put up a fight that resulted in more Union soldiers killed, wounded or captured compared to their own losses despite outdated weaponry and little combat experience. Johnston died during the battle and his death has been deemed the turning point of the Confederate Army’s fate. The Union Army lead by Grant and Buell managed to dominate the battlefield and force a Confederate retreat. Of 40,335 Confederate soldiers, 10,699 were killed, wounded, or captured. Of an estimated 63,000 Union soldiers, 13,047 were killed, wounded, or captured.