Battle Of Shiloh Thesis

261 Words1 Page
bulb-icon

Recommended: Lincoln presidency civil war

His 1862 triumphs at Fort Henry and Fort Donelson in western Tennessee won him the nickname “Unconditional Surrender” Grant, and placed him before the public eye. However, when a surprise attack by Confederate forces at the Battle of Shiloh yielded devastating casualties during the first day's fighting, President Abraham Lincoln received several demands for Grant's removal from command. Nevertheless, Lincoln refused, stating, “I can’t spare this man. He fights.” The following day, Grant's Army - bolstered by troops under Maj. Gen. Don Carlos Buell - fended off Confederate advances and ultimately won the day.

Grant’s hard-won victory at Vicksburg, Mississippi, in May of 1863 was a strategic masterpiece. On May 1, 1863, Grant's army crossed

Show More
Related

  • Principles of Maneuver, Offensive and Surprise

    981 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Valley Campaign of the Shenandoah Valley of 23 March to 9 June 1862 saw the rise of the Confederate Major General (MG) Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson. The Shenandoah Valley campaign allowed for MG Jackson to incorporate the principles of maneuver, offensive and surprise operations (US Army Center of Military History, 2012) through the use of his cavalry and foot soldiers.

    Read More

  • The Battle of Cold Harbor

    1740 Words  | 4 Pages

    The Battle of Cold Harbor in spring of 1864 was one of General Ulysses S. Grant’s worst offensive defeats during the Civil War. Grant failed to describe his mission command to his subordinate, direct his units to correct movement, understand his operational environment, and lead his army with a coordinated plan. Grant had a stronger, bigger, and better-equipped army than his enemy, but his failure in the mission command process led to fatal mistakes before and during the battle. Due to failed leadership, the Union preparation for this war was so poor that it suffered nearly 7,000 casualties in under an hour, making it one of the most brutal confrontations of the Civil War.

    Read More

  • Ulysses S. Grant

    1117 Words  | 3 Pages

    At the outbreak of the American Civil War, Grant was appointed colonel, and soon afterward brigadier general, of the Illinois Volunteers, and in September 1861 he seized Paducah, Kentucky. After an indecisive raid on Belmont, Missouri, he gained fame when in February 1862, in conjunction with the navy; he succeeded in reducing Forts Henry and Donelson, Tennessee, forcing General Simon B. Buckner to accept unconditional surrender. The Confederates surprised Grant at Shiloh, but he held his ground and then moved on to Corinth. In 1863 he established his reputation as a strategist in the brilliant campaign against Vicksburg, Mississippi, which took place on July 4. After being appointed commander in the West, he defeated Braxton Bragg at Chattanooga. Grant's victories made him so prominent that he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general and in February 1864 was given command of all Union armies.

    Read More

  • Battle of Shiloh

    2004 Words  | 5 Pages

    In the short story "Shiloh" written by Bobbie Ann Mason, she expresses a theme stating that taking life for granted causes individuals to lose sight of what is important and how people become blinded by everyone and everything around them. Emotions take a big toll on the way a person handles a situation and people do not necessarily compartmentalize in order to make the right decision with ease. There are various characters represented throughout the story ranging from dynamic to round characters. Norma Jean and Leroy Moffitt are the antagonist and protagonist, both of them are at war with each other. Situational irony occurs when Leroy arrives home and continues to stay home after being involved in a truck accident at work. Norma Jean is not used to her husband being home now and would rather have him on the road again. He is excited to settle down with his wife but she wants him gone. She was comfortable with staying at home alone and now that he is there all the time, her freedom is disturbed. The tone the author entails is complicated, harsh, selfish, and straightforward simply for the matter that their marriage lacks communication which makes any relationship complicated. Straightforward is another tone being described because at the end Norma Jean bluntly tells Leroy that she is leaving him. It is very crucial to his ears and harsh coming from her after sixteen years of marriage. The story takes place in the couple's home, super plaza, and the battleground of Shiloh. In the story the reader is able to foreshadow the outcome as a result of Norma Jean's behavior. Symbolism induces the battleground, Star Trek pillow, Wonder Woman, craft kits, and color of the ruffle. The narrator tells the story from a third person limited om...

    Read More

  • Battle Of Gettysburg Research Paper

    1660 Words  | 4 Pages

    The Civil War is one of the defining wars in the history of this great nation. The Battle of Gettysburg was the bloodiest battle in American history, and a turning point in the four year war. At the time, Gettysburg was a small, quiet town generally unaffected by the war. General Robert E. Lee of the Confederate States of America and General George Meade of the Union converged in Gettysburg, and a conflict quickly arose. After three long days of battle the Union pulled away with a victory, though not an easy one. This essay will outline the six themes of history; in essence the who, what, when, where, why, and who cares of this infamous battle.

    Read More

  • The Battle of Antietam

    1924 Words  | 4 Pages

    September 16-18, 1862, outside of the town of Sharpsburg, Maryland, between the Potomac River and Antietam Creek, was the location of the bloodiest battle in American history. Confederate Colonel Stephen D. Lee described it as “Artillery Hell” because of the frightful toll on his gunners and horses from Federal counter battery and infantry fire. (AotW, 2014) The battle of Antietam, or the Battle of Sharpsburg, would collect an estimated 23,100 total casualties (Luvaas and Nelson, 1987). The body count far exceeded any of the other three battles waged in the Maryland Campaign (Harpers Ferry, South Mountain, and Shepherdstown). This battle was a contributing factor in the outcome of our country and the rest of the world. The Union Army desperately needed a victory at Antietam; however, a victory for the Confederate rebels may have very well gained them international recognition as a sovereign country in the eyes of the rest of the world. The Federal Army, which belonged to the Union States, consisted of an all-volunteer army and was a larger army than the Confederate States. Even though the Battle of Antietam was inconclusive, President Lincoln went on to read the Emancipation Proclamation to the country, effectively ending slavery, and ensuring that no foreign nation would intervene on the Confederates behave.

    Read More

  • An Essay On The Battle Of Vicksburg

    768 Words  | 2 Pages

    Overall, the Battle of Vicksburg of May 18 to July 4, 1836 was a turning point for the American Civil War for the Union States. As Abraham Lincoln had recognized the take-over of the Vicksburg as “the key” to the Confederacy, Grant successfully pulled through his maneuvers in leading to victory. The victory and capture of the city had divided the Confederates in half, which meant that the Union ceded control of a very strategic point along a river. As the Confederate Army suffered difficulty to continuously be supplied, it made it more perplexing to sustain a fight. With that, the Union Army benefited from their success of the Siege of Vicksburg.

    Read More

  • A Summary Of Grant's Assassination

    890 Words  | 2 Pages

    Two days later, President Lincoln called for 75,000 volunteers and a mass meeting was held in Galena to encourage recruitment. Grant, recognized as a military professional, was asked to lead the effort. Grant was not against the south secession, but he was scared for the onset of war. He however gained a new enthusiasm for the Union cause after listening to a speech by John Aaron Rawlins. Rawlins would later become one of Grant’s closest friends during the war. Grant had no official position in the army, but he accepted a position recruiting and training soldiers. He tried in vain to get a position in the formal army. Major General George B. McClellan refused to meet with Grant because of his past issues with drinking. Grant continued to train and recruit, until in 1861 Grant was promoted to colonel. Grant was put in charge of an unruly battalion, where to restore discipline he had one soldier bound to a post. After shaping up the troops, Grant was promoted by then president Abraham Lincoln to Brigadier

    Read More

  • Ulysses S. Grant and His Contribution to America

    1582 Words  | 4 Pages

    “The result of the last week must convince you of the hopelessness of further resistance… [I] regard it as my duty to shift from myself the responsibility for further [loss] of blood, by asking you surrender [of] the Army of Northern Virginia.” is what General Ulysses S. Grant as the highest ranking officer of the Union Army, wrote to the opposing the highest ranking officer of the opposing Confederate army, General Robert E. Lee on April 7, 1865. (Alter, 2002) In 1861, the Southern states of the United States of America had seceded from the Union, forming the Confederate States of America, and President Lincoln deciding it was worth it to bring them back, declared war, sparking the American Civil War. (Gaines, 2009) Grant joined the army and was quickly promoted to general-in-chief, and despite a few setbacks, managed to force the Confederates to surrender after forcing their forces from the Rapidan River to the James River in a manner one soldier describe simply as "unspoken, unspeakable history." in 1865. (Civil War Trust, 2013) Four years later, Grant was voted as the United States president at forty six years old – the youngest president at that time. (Simon, 2013) Grant tried to help ease racial tensions during his term, but his presidency is most remembered as one filled with scandal. (PBS, 2013) From a humble background, to a soldier, and after some time, to a gifted and experienced general, eventually becoming a president, Grant fought his entire life as hard as he could for what he believed in, through both hardship and peace, helping America in many ways.

    Read More

  • A Comparison Of Herman Melville And Shiloh

    1982 Words  | 4 Pages

    On the Morning of April 6, 1862, General Albert Sidney Johnson lead 40,000 Confederate soldiers through a forest in southwestern Tennessee near Pittsburg Landing, The Shiloh church, and the Tennessee River, until they came upon their destination, a Union camp. The Union soldiers were taken by surprise as it was early in the morning. Some men were still sleeping, eating breakfast, or just emerging from their tents. Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and his men were driven out of their camps back towards the river and the church. Grant refused to lose. He ordered his men to not move an inch at all costs and to form a battle line, which became known as the “Hornets Nest.” The Confederate general Johnson was killed the first day of battle, and Pierre GT Beauregard took his place the next day. The counterattack and the higher Union majority of troops forced the Confederates back, and the “Hornets Nest” remained intact. As the battle came to a close, it was a Union victory. However, it came at a high price: about 23,746 casualties in total were estimated. Approximately 13,047 Union, and 13,724

    Read More

  • General Grant: Unconditional Surrender

    380 Words  | 1 Pages

    One of the leaders of the Union was General Grant. He was the commander of the Union Army. Furthermore, he showed toughness and determination that would later enable him to win many of the battles during the Civil War. His goal in helping him to win the war was to seize control of the Mississippi River. When Confederate General Simon Bolivar Buckner wanted to discuss the terms of surrender of Fort Donelson, Grant’s response was straight to the point. He said “No terms except an unconditional and immediate surrender can be accepted”. Right away, Buckner surrendered the fort to Grant. His victory caused great celebration in the North. It also earned him the nickname “Unconditional Surrender”. General Grant’s ability to serve in the army Another

    Read More

  • Ulysses S Grant

    671 Words  | 2 Pages

    On April 12 1861, Confederate troops attacked Fort Sumter in Charleston and this event started the Civil War. Once Ulysses heard of the news, he quickly left his position as clerk at his family store to volunteer for military service in the Union army. He was first offered a position recruiting and training volunteer troops in Illinois and he accepted although he wanted field command in the actual army. On June 14, 1861, Grant was assigned colonel of the 21st Illinois Infantry, but on August 9th President Abraham Lincoln promoted Grant to Brigadier General. Ulysses’ first battle was on November 17th, 1861 when Grant and his army attacked Fort Belmont but was counterattacked and had to fall back. Although no one really won this battle, it was good experience for Grant and his troops. Grant’s first major victories took place in February 1862. On Feb. 6th, Grant, along with the help of Union Navy Flag Officer Andrew H. Foote, took over Fort Henry easily and ten days later defeated Confederate General Gideon J. Pillow at Fort Donelson. After these victories, Lincoln promotes Grant as Major General of Volunteers and gets the nickname “Unconditional Surrender”. Grant’s advancement on Fort Henry and Donel...

    Read More

  • Ulysses S. Grant Significance

    1612 Words  | 4 Pages

    Grant’s perseverance was an important factor for the Union in the Civil War. In April 1862, Confederates attacked Grant’s troops in the early morning, pushed them back, and captured numerous Union soldiers. Surprisingly, Grant had managed to keep his position by the end of the day and when reinforcements arrived launched a counterattack that forced the South to retreat; the Battle of Shiloh resulted in tremendous losses (Waugh). General Grant attempted to attack Vicksburg, MIssissippi, which gave Confederates control over the Mississippi River, and after that failed, laid siege to the city for two and a half months; the town surrendered on July 4, 1863 (Havelin, 38). Even though Grant was blamed for the Union’s great losses, he did not give up and continued to attack aggressively. At night by the Rapidan River in Virginia on May 5, 1864, Ulysses Grant’s and Robert E. Lee’s forces clashed for the first time in the Battle of the Wilderness (Havelin, 45). Units of soldiers became lost during the battle and mistakenly fired on their own men; sparks from shots started wildfires which burned 200 wounded soldiers (Havelin, 45). In the first two days, approximately 11,000 Confederate troops and 17,000 Union troops died (Havelin, 45). Joan Waugh, a professor of history at UCLA, revealed that “[i]n the six-week “Overland Campaign” that followed, the Union Army suffered setbacks and high casualties in the battles of the Wilderness, Spotsylvania Court House, and Cold Harbor

    Read More

  • Ulysses S. Grant Childhood

    456 Words  | 1 Pages

    Grant was known for being the lead general of the troops during the American Civil War. Grant fought in several wars, including the battle of Belmont, Fort Henry, battle of Shiloh, the battle of Vicksburg, and the battle of Chattanooga. In 1862, Grant had his first major victory when he captured Fort Donelson in Tennessee. Ulysses S. Grant was the general and commander of the majority of his battles. The hard work of Grant got him far through life and fame forever.

    Read More

  • Shiloh Summary

    536 Words  | 2 Pages

    In this book report I will write about the book, Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor. Shiloh is about a boy named, Marty Preston. Marty finds a beagle and based on the beagles appearance and personality, concludes that the beagle has been physically mistreated by his owner, Judd Travers. This book is a fictional story but is partly based on a real life event that happened to the author.

    Read More

More about Battle Of Shiloh Thesis

Open Document