April 6, 1862 (Saturday): Grant Surprised, But Not Defeated

First Day at Shiloh, Map by Hal Jespersen, www.posix.com/CW

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF WEST TENNESSEE,

Pittsburg, April 6, 1862.

COMMANDING OFFICER ADVANCE FORCES (BUELL'S ARMY),

  Near Pittsburg:

   The attack on my forces has been very spirited from early this morning.  The appearance of fresh troops in the field now would have a powerful effect, both by inspiring our men and disheartening the enemy.  If you will get upon the field, leaving all your baggage on the east bank of the river, it will be more to our advantage, and possibly save the day to us.  The rebel forces are estimated at over 100,000 men.  My headquarters will be in the log building on the top of the hill, where you will be furnished a staff officer to guide you to your place on the field.

                                                                    U. S. GRANT

                                                              Major-General, Commanding.

In his matter of fact way, Grant calls for reinforcements from Buell to save his army.  Surprised through gross negligence, his army backed against a river, Grant has not lost his equipoise.  He does not face 100,000 or more Cbonfederates, only 44,000 (which he outnumbers by 22,000 when Buell crosses the river).  The rule of war is that a 3-1 advantage is required for a decisive result at the point of attack.  This the Confederates do not have, nor do they have a disciplined army.  After overrunning Union positions in the morning units begin to intermingle and men fall out to eat in the abandoned camps of their enemies.  Albert Sydney Johnston is killed in mid-afternoon, and Beauregard's final attempts to break the Union line around Pittsburg landing are repulsed.  After a string of disasters in the West here is a chance, however fleeting, to even the score for Fort Donaldson and reset affairs.