April 6–7, 1862Reputable sourceWell documented
The Battle of Shiloh
On the timeline · around April 6–7, 1862 ·
What happened
In southwestern Tennessee, a surprise Confederate attack on Ulysses S. Grant's army was thrown back over two days of ferocious fighting. Around 23,000 men were killed, wounded, or missing — more than all of America's previous wars combined.
Why it matters
Shiloh's staggering toll shocked the nation into realizing the war's true cost, and the Union victory secured its hold on the Western theater.
Sources
- Shiloh National Military Park, National Park Service. Battle of Shiloh · Reputable source