Battle of Shiloh
1862 CE · Tennessee, USA
The Battle of Shiloh was fought in 1862 CE in Tennessee, USA between United States (Union) vs the Confederate States; Union victory; Johnston was killed and the Confederate surprise attack was reversed on the second day.
Battle of Shiloh: quick facts
- Date
- 1862 CE
- Location
- Tennessee, USA
- Belligerents
- United States (Union) vs the Confederate States
- Commanders
- Ulysses S. Grant and Don Carlos Buell vs Albert Sidney Johnston and P. G. T. Beauregard
- Result
- Union victory; Johnston was killed and the Confederate surprise attack was reversed on the second day.
- Casualties
- about 23,700 killed, wounded or missing across both armies
- Era
- 🦅 American Wars
- Quiz difficulty
- hard
What happened at the Battle of Shiloh?
Confederate forces under Albert Sidney Johnston launched a surprise dawn attack on Grant's Union army at Pittsburg Landing near Shiloh Church, Tennessee. The Confederates nearly drove the Union into the Tennessee River, but a heroic stand at the 'Hornet's Nest' bought time for reinforcements. Johnston was killed during the assault. Overnight, Union reinforcements arrived, and Grant counterattacked the next day, winning a costly victory with over 23,000 total casualties that shocked the nation.
Did you know?
Confederate General Albert Sidney Johnston bled to death at Shiloh from a wound behind his knee, and his personal physician had been sent to treat wounded Union prisoners. A simple tourniquet could have saved his life.
Sources and further reading
- Battle of Shiloh on Wikipedia for the full account, historiography and primary sources.
- How BattleGuess compiles and checks battle facts: see the About page.
Entry last reviewed 26 September 2026.