Shiloh

This book analyzes the pivotal battle of Shiloh in 1862, the bloodiest fought by Americans up to that time, in which Albert Sidney Johnston's desperate effort to reverse Confederate fortunes in the heartland fell just short of decisive victory. The Battle of Shiloh was one of the most important battles of the Civil War, and it offers a particularly rich opportunity to study the ways in which different leaders reacted to unexpected challenges. Shiloh: Confederate High Tide in the Heartland provides a fascinating and fast-paced narrative history of the key campaign and battle in the Civil War's decisive western theater-the heartland of the Confederacy west of the Appalachians. The book emphasizes the significance of contingency in evaluating the decisions of the Union and Confederate commanders, as well as the tenacity displayed by both sides, which contributed to the tremendous bloodshed of the conflict and revealed the depth of Union determination that would ultimately doom the Confederacy. Intended for Civil War enthusiasts as well as scholars of American military history, this work reveals the complex challenges and decisions of leadership and documents how the Confederacy was never as close to scoring a truly decisive victory as its forces were on the first day of the Battle of Shiloh.

Steven E. Woodworth, PhD, earned his doctorate from Rice University, Houston, TX.

Illustrations
Maps
Series Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgments
1. The Union Offensive on the Tennessee River
2. Johnston Prepares to Strike Back
3. The March to Pittsburg Landing
4. The Battle Opens on the Union Left
5. The Battle on the Union Right, 7:00 a.m. to Noon
6. The Battle on the Union Left and the Fight for the Hornets' Nest
7. Midday and Early Afternoon
8. Johnston, the Peach Orchard, and the Hornets' Nest
9. The Last Decision
10. Taking Stock
Notes
Bibliographical Essay
Index