Summary

Chapter 10 describes the Battle of Shiloh and its aftermath. While moving his forces to eventual attack Vicksburg, MS, Grant was caught off-guard at Shiloh. Always embodying an offensive posture, Grant did not anticipate a Confederate attack that caused massive casualties on both sides. Though the battle was a technical Union victory following its second day, Grant was sharply criticized in the national press for being negligent and uninterested in the lives of his men. Under intense pressure, Lincoln strongly considered removing Grant from command, but eventually declined. Despite this, Halleck did take direct control of all the forces in the area, insisting on a much slower advance than that led by Grant and allowing a large Confederate force to evade capture. Grant’s command was eventually restored and enlarged when Halleck was appointed in General-in-Chief and recalled to Virginia. There, he, like many...