The right of my line rested near the bank of Snake Creek, a short distance above the bridge which had been built by the troops for the purpose of connecting Crump’s landing and Pittsburg landing.  Sherman had posted some troops in a log-house and out-buildings which overlooked both the bridge over which Wallace was expected and the creek above that point.  In this last position Sherman was frequently attacked before night, but held the point until he voluntarily abandoned it to advance in order to make room for Lew.  Wallace, who came up after dark.

There was, as I have said, a deep ravine in front of our left.  The Tennessee River was very high and there was water to a considerable depth in the ravine.  Here the enemy made a last desperate effort to turn our flank, but was repelled.  The gunboats Tyler and Lexington, Gwin and Shirk commanding, with the artillery under Webster, aided the army and effectually checked their further progress.  Before any of Buell’s troops had reached the west bank of the Tennessee, firing had almost entirely ceased; anything like an attempt on the part of the enemy to advance had absolutely ceased.  There was some artillery firing from an unseen enemy, some of his shells passing beyond us; but I do not remember that there was the whistle of a single musket-ball heard.  As his troops arrived in the dusk General Buell marched several of his regiments part way down the face of the hill where they fired briskly for some minutes, but I do not think a single man engaged in this firing received an injury.  The attack had spent its force.

General Lew.  Wallace, with 5,000 effective men, arrived after firing had ceased for the day, and was placed on the right.  Thus night came, Wallace came, and the advance of Nelson’s division came; but none —­unless night—­in time to be of material service to the gallant men who saved Shiloh on that first day against large odds.  Buell’s loss on the 6th of April was two men killed and one wounded, all members of the 36th Indiana infantry.  The Army of the Tennessee lost on that day at least 7,000 men.  The presence of two or three regiments of Buell’s army on the west bank before firing ceased had not the slightest effect in preventing the capture of Pittsburg landing.

So confident was I before firing had ceased on the 6th that the next day would bring victory to our arms if we could only take the initiative, that I visited each division commander in person before any reinforcements had reached the field.  I directed them to throw out heavy lines of skirmishers in the morning as soon as they could see, and push them forward until they found the enemy, following with their entire divisions in supporting distance, and to engage the enemy as soon as found.  To Sherman I told the story of the assault at Fort Donelson, and said that the same tactics would win at Shiloh.  Victory was assured when Wallace arrived, even if there had been no other support.  I was glad, however, to see the reinforcements of Buell and credit them with doing all there was for them to do.