A Means of PeaceA Means of PeaceUlysses S. GrantUlysses S. Grant

at Shiloh and Vicksburgat Shiloh and Vicksburg

A Means of PeaceA Means of PeaceUlysses S. GrantUlysses S. Grant

at Shiloh and Vicksburgat Shiloh and Vicksburg

Chris Singleton

West Central High School

Biggsville, Illinois

Chris Singleton

West Central High School

Biggsville, Illinois

““The art of war is simple enough. Find out where The art of war is simple enough. Find out where your enemy is. Get at him as soon as you can. your enemy is. Get at him as soon as you can. Strike him as hard as you can and as often as you Strike him as hard as you can and as often as you can, and keep moving on.”can, and keep moving on.”

~Ulysses S. Grant~Ulysses S. Grant

The American Civil War is full of The American Civil War is full of battles where courageous men fought battles where courageous men fought and died to defend their political and and died to defend their political and moral beliefs. No two battles would moral beliefs. No two battles would be more important and decisive to be more important and decisive to the nation’s future as Shiloh and the nation’s future as Shiloh and Vicksburg. They defined the future Vicksburg. They defined the future course of the war and the legacy of a course of the war and the legacy of a general named Ulysses S. Grant.general named Ulysses S. Grant.

One Man…Ulysses S. One Man…Ulysses S. GrantGrant

Born in Ohio on April 27, 1822Born in Ohio on April 27, 1822

Originally named Originally named Hiram Ulysses GrantHiram Ulysses Grant A paperwork error during West Point A paperwork error during West Point

registration made him Ulysses registration made him Ulysses SS. Grant . Grant (his mother’s maiden name was (his mother’s maiden name was SimpsonSimpson))

When he was young, his nickname was When he was young, his nickname was ‘Lyss.‘Lyss.

Later when his name was changed, the Later when his name was changed, the ““U.S.U.S.” would stand for ” would stand for Uncle SamUncle Sam and and Unconditional SurrenderUnconditional Surrender

Family business was Family business was tanningtanning (turning (turning hides into leather)hides into leather) Grant disliked the tanning business so he Grant disliked the tanning business so he

worked on the family farm and with worked on the family farm and with horses instead.horses instead.

Father got him appointed to Father got him appointed to West PointWest Point He reluctantly went – he knew if he He reluctantly went – he knew if he

didn’t, he wouldn’t get any further didn’t, he wouldn’t get any further education.education.

Ulysses S. Grant 1865Photo Library of Congress

Grant At West Point…Grant At West Point… Excelled in math and horsemanshipExcelled in math and horsemanship

Avid readerAvid reader

Enjoyed art classesEnjoyed art classes

When entered, he was barely 5’ tall – Grant When entered, he was barely 5’ tall – Grant grew 6” during the next 4 yearsgrew 6” during the next 4 years

Graduated in the middle of his class (21 out Graduated in the middle of his class (21 out of 39)of 39)

After graduation, married Julia Dent (his After graduation, married Julia Dent (his West Point roommate’s sister)West Point roommate’s sister)

Julia Dent Grant

U.S. Grant

Photo Library of Congress

Following West Point…Following West Point…

Fought in Mexican War 1846-1848Fought in Mexican War 1846-1848

Assigned to Oregon Territory in 1852 and Assigned to Oregon Territory in 1852 and California in 1853California in 1853

Lonely, Grant found comfort in drinking and Lonely, Grant found comfort in drinking and resigned from the army April 11, 1854. He resigned from the army April 11, 1854. He rejoined his wife and sons in Missouri on her rejoined his wife and sons in Missouri on her family’s farmfamily’s farm

After the army, Grant failed at farming and real After the army, Grant failed at farming and real estate and eventually joined his father in the estate and eventually joined his father in the leather business in leather business in Galena, IllinoisGalena, Illinois..

At outbreak of Civil War…At outbreak of Civil War… Grant had Grant had failed in several failed in several

occupationsoccupations and was and was not not even in U.S. Armyeven in U.S. Army

He rejoined the army and He rejoined the army and helped with recruiting and helped with recruiting and drilling of troops in Galenadrilling of troops in Galena

Grant was appointed Grant was appointed commander of an unruly commander of an unruly group of soldiers (group of soldiers (the 21the 21stst Illinois VolunteersIllinois Volunteers) in June ) in June 18611861

Later named Brigadier Later named Brigadier GeneralGeneral

““Be careful, Ulyss, you are a general now – it’s a good job, don’t lose it.”Be careful, Ulyss, you are a general now – it’s a good job, don’t lose it.”~ Jesse Grant (father)~ Jesse Grant (father)

General U.S. Grant in campPhoto Library of Congress

______________________________________________________

Two Battles…Shiloh & Two Battles…Shiloh & VicksburgVicksburg

Grant

Sherman

Johnston

Beauregard

North vs. South

Photos Library of Congress

http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/shiloh.htm

ShilohShiloh

Grant was stationed nearby at place called Grant was stationed nearby at place called Pittsburg Pittsburg LandingLanding.. The South named battles after the nearest village/town; The South named battles after the nearest village/town;

thus, the Battle of Shiloh is also known as the Battle of thus, the Battle of Shiloh is also known as the Battle of Pittsburg Landing by the SouthPittsburg Landing by the South..

Both North & South were interested in holding the area Both North & South were interested in holding the area due to nearby due to nearby Corinth,Corinth, MississippiMississippi. Corinth was a main . Corinth was a main railroad center for the Confederates.railroad center for the Confederates.

The battle of Shiloh was The battle of Shiloh was given its name by the given its name by the North because it was North because it was fought near a small fought near a small Methodist church called Methodist church called ShilohShiloh (which ironically (which ironically is a Hebrew word is a Hebrew word meaning meaning “place of “place of peace.”peace.”)) The North named The North named

battles after the nearest battles after the nearest stream or landmarkstream or landmark

Reconstructed church at Shiloh battlefield . The church would also serve as a hospital during the battle.

Shiloh…Day 1 – April 6, Shiloh…Day 1 – April 6, 18621862

“The half-dressed dead and wounded showed what a surprise “The half-dressed dead and wounded showed what a surprise our attack had been.”our attack had been.”

~Henry Morton Stanley, Confederate soldier~Henry Morton Stanley, Confederate soldier The South, The South,

commanded by commanded by Gen. A. S. Gen. A. S. Johnston, Johnston, attacked with attacked with almost total almost total surprisesurprise

The morning The morning looked promising looked promising for the South, but for the South, but tough resistance tough resistance was shown by the was shown by the North at Shiloh North at Shiloh Church and in Church and in the dense thicket the dense thicket known as the known as the “Hornet’s Nest”“Hornet’s Nest”

In the woods (top right), lay the Hornet’s Nest where Union infantry and artillery held out eight hours against the Confederates. The Federals turned back a series of attacks across Duncan Field (top left) and through the adjoining woods.

Late in the day, 62 cannon (like the one bottom left) pounded the Hornet’s Nest from across the field while Confederate infantry pressed in on the flanks. Many Federals escaped, but more than 2000 men held their ground. Isolated and outnumbered, the Union defenders surrendered.

~Shiloh National Military Park

The Hornet’s Nest

“Bullets were flying thicker than a hornet’s nest”

The Union ultimately lost the “Hornet’s Nest,” but their valiant fighting for long hours bought Grant time to better defend Pittsburg Landing.

****Heavy casualtiesHeavy casualties were inflicted by both sides were inflicted by both sides

**Confederate General A.S. Johnston was killed and General P.G.T. **Confederate General A.S. Johnston was killed and General P.G.T. Beauregard took over. The South thought it would finish the North Beauregard took over. The South thought it would finish the North here once & for all.here once & for all.

Grant, however, predicted to Sherman “…lick ‘em tomorrow, though.”Grant, however, predicted to Sherman “…lick ‘em tomorrow, though.”

At the end of the first day…

Shiloh…Day 2 - April 7, Shiloh…Day 2 - April 7, 18621862

Around 7 a.m., Grant Around 7 a.m., Grant began an aggressive began an aggressive counterattack counterattack

Weary Confederate Weary Confederate forces fought forces fought bravely, but Grant’s bravely, but Grant’s numbers had been numbers had been reinforced and reinforced and proved the proved the advantage.advantage.

By afternoon, the By afternoon, the Confederates Confederates retreated to Corinthretreated to Corinth

Corinth

•Pick and Shovel Warfare

•These earthworks replicate the fortifications built around Corinth by first the Confederates and later the Union in 1862.

•In Corinth, the same number of men died from disease in the seven weeks following Shiloh as did in the battle itself.

Not your average Not your average soldiersoldier……

Horse-mounted Horse-mounted couriers and couriers and drummer boysdrummer boys were used were used during the Civil during the Civil war instead of war instead of our common our common day telephones day telephones and walkie-and walkie-talkies. John talkies. John Clem (left) Clem (left) served the served the Union Army as Union Army as a Shiloh a Shiloh drummer boy at drummer boy at 10 years of age.10 years of age.~Shiloh National Military ~Shiloh National Military ParkPark

John Clem

Bloody PondBloody Pond

“This shallow pond attracted the weary and wounded soldiers of both armies who were engaged in heavy fighting nearby. Some crowded here for their last drink. Observers after the battle reported that the pond was littered with dead soldiers and horses. Blood had turned the water a murky red.”

~Shiloh National Military Park

Shiloh Shiloh resultsresults

ConfederacyConfederacy Fewer overall casualties (10,699), Fewer overall casualties (10,699),

but a failed opportunity to take but a failed opportunity to take charge of a vital areacharge of a vital area

A.S. Johnston killedA.S. Johnston killed

A victory here would have: A victory here would have: secured the Mississippi waterway secured the Mississippi waterway Union commanders would have been Union commanders would have been

humiliated. humiliated. Western Tennessee and Kentucky Western Tennessee and Kentucky

would have been recapturedwould have been recaptured

UnionUnion Grant SURPRISED, Grant SURPRISED,

but held on and now but held on and now in position to take in position to take CorinthCorinth

More casualties More casualties (13,047)(13,047)

Overall:

Horrendous casualties – more soldiers were killed or wounded at Shiloh than in the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and Mexican

War combined.

_________________________

Killed, wounded, or missing in the two-day battle:

23,746

Shiloh’s RelevanceShiloh’s Relevance

Shiloh proved the war would not be over in a single, large battle as Shiloh proved the war would not be over in a single, large battle as many had thought.many had thought.

Grant was criticized by many in the North and credit for the Union Grant was criticized by many in the North and credit for the Union victory was given to other generals. He was accused of being victory was given to other generals. He was accused of being drunk and unprepared which led to the horrific number of Union drunk and unprepared which led to the horrific number of Union deaths. deaths.

Calls for Grant’s removal inundated the White House, but Lincoln Calls for Grant’s removal inundated the White House, but Lincoln responded by saying, responded by saying, “I can’t spare this man, he fights.”“I can’t spare this man, he fights.”

Grant learned, however, never to underestimate the enemy, Grant learned, however, never to underestimate the enemy, showed a cool demeanor under pressure, initiative, and showed a cool demeanor under pressure, initiative, and confidence in his men. These traits would become invaluable in confidence in his men. These traits would become invaluable in later battles.later battles.

________________________________________________________________________________________““The South never smiled again after Shiloh.”The South never smiled again after Shiloh.”

~George Washington Cable~George Washington CableNew Orleans writerNew Orleans writer

VicksburgVicksburg

"Vicksburg is the "Vicksburg is the key. The war can key. The war can never be brought to a never be brought to a close until the key is close until the key is in our pocket.”in our pocket.”

~Abraham Lincoln~Abraham Lincoln

""Vicksburg is the Vicksburg is the nail head that nail head that holds the South's holds the South's two halves two halves togethertogether.”.”

~Jefferson Davis~Jefferson Davis

Photos Library of Congress

Vicksburg’s importanceVicksburg’s importance Strategic location - on high bluffs Strategic location - on high bluffs

overlooking the Mississippi Riveroverlooking the Mississippi River A main Southern stronghold in MississippiA main Southern stronghold in Mississippi Would geographically cut the Confederacy Would geographically cut the Confederacy

in halfin half

http://americancivilwar.com/pictures/north_south_states.gif

Vicksburg

Beginning in the spring of 1862, the Union tried Beginning in the spring of 1862, the Union tried and failed several times to take the city using and failed several times to take the city using

naval forces on the Mississippi River and other naval forces on the Mississippi River and other maneuvers to bypass the town.maneuvers to bypass the town.

At left is the Union gunboat Cairo. Ships such as this were used during the Vicksburg Campaign by Grant and his forces.

Cairo was the first armored warship sunk by a Confederate torpedo.*

*Note that a Civil War ‘torpedo’ is today what we would call a mine.

__________________________________________________________________

U.S.S. Cairo – part of the Union’s “brown-water navy”

In April 1863, Grant ignored other advice to return to In April 1863, Grant ignored other advice to return to Memphis and decided to attack Vicksburg from the Memphis and decided to attack Vicksburg from the east.east.

Grant’s plan:Grant’s plan: 1. Run Union Navy boats past Confederate blockades at 1. Run Union Navy boats past Confederate blockades at

Vicksburg by nightVicksburg by night 2. March Union troops down the west side of the Mississippi2. March Union troops down the west side of the Mississippi

RiverRiver 3. Have troops cross the river below Vicksburg3. Have troops cross the river below Vicksburg 4. At the same time as troops were crossing south, have 4. At the same time as troops were crossing south, have

Sherman fire on Sherman fire on Confederates north of Vicksburg to create a diversionConfederates north of Vicksburg to create a diversion

Grant’s plan workedGrant’s plan worked He then marched his troops (40,000) northeast, He then marched his troops (40,000) northeast,

knowingly cutting off his supply lines & knowingly cutting off his supply lines & communications while deep in enemy territory.communications while deep in enemy territory.

Even after all of this, two assaults by the North Even after all of this, two assaults by the North still failed to take Vicksburg.still failed to take Vicksburg.

Grant decided to begin Grant decided to begin siegesiege operations operations SiegeSiege implies surrounding a city, cutting off its implies surrounding a city, cutting off its

communications, and usually includes direct assaults on communications, and usually includes direct assaults on its defenses. its defenses.

Not only did the Confederate Not only did the Confederate military suffer during Vicksburg’s military suffer during Vicksburg’s

siege, so did its civilians.siege, so did its civilians. To escape fire from the To escape fire from the

Union shelling, Vicksburg Union shelling, Vicksburg citizens built over 500 caves citizens built over 500 caves in nearby hillsides. The in nearby hillsides. The Union soldiers called the Union soldiers called the town town “Prairie Dog City”“Prairie Dog City” because of this.because of this.

Vicksburg caves consisted of Vicksburg caves consisted of one room to multi-rooms one room to multi-rooms with parlors and bedrooms with parlors and bedrooms furnished with items from furnished with items from home.home.

Food shortages became so Food shortages became so desperate by the end of the desperate by the end of the siege that people resorted to siege that people resorted to eating mules, rats, and eating mules, rats, and birds.birds.

For personal, first-hand For personal, first-hand accounts, look at some of accounts, look at some of the following sources (the the following sources (the first two are excellent first two are excellent accounts from the diary of accounts from the diary of Emma Balfour and book by Emma Balfour and book by Mary Loughborough, both Mary Loughborough, both Vicksburg survivors):Vicksburg survivors):

http://civilwarwomen.blogspot.com/2008/11/emma-harrison-balfour.html

http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/text-idx?t/text/text-idx?c=moa;idno=ABY0213 c=moa;idno=ABY0213

(especially page 137)(especially page 137) http://www.maz.ca/other/http://www.maz.ca/other/

cwres.html cwres.html http://friendsofraymond.org/http://friendsofraymond.org/

articles/cave-life.htmarticles/cave-life.htm

_____________________________________________________________

““Catching the rabbitCatching the rabbit””

By the 44By the 44thth day of the siege, the Vicksburg day of the siege, the Vicksburg Daily Daily CitizenCitizen was forced to print on wallpaper. Despite was forced to print on wallpaper. Despite this the editor wrote:this the editor wrote:

““The great Ulysses…has expressed his intention of The great Ulysses…has expressed his intention of dining in Vicksburg on Saturday next, and celebrating dining in Vicksburg on Saturday next, and celebrating the 4the 4thth of July by a grand dinner and so forth…Ulysses of July by a grand dinner and so forth…Ulysses must get into the city before he dines in it. The way to must get into the city before he dines in it. The way to cook rabbit is ‘first catch the rabbit.’ ”cook rabbit is ‘first catch the rabbit.’ ”

Unknown to the editor, the saga was almost over. Unknown to the editor, the saga was almost over. Vicksburg surrendered on July 4. Grant’s men Vicksburg surrendered on July 4. Grant’s men found the copy of the found the copy of the CitizenCitizen and added this: and added this:

““Two days bring about great changes. The banner of Two days bring about great changes. The banner of the Union floats over Vicksburg, Gen. Grant has the Union floats over Vicksburg, Gen. Grant has ‘caught the rabbit;’ he has dined in Vicksburg, and he ‘caught the rabbit;’ he has dined in Vicksburg, and he did bring his dinner with him. The ‘Citizen’ lives to did bring his dinner with him. The ‘Citizen’ lives to see it. For the last time it appears on ‘wall-paper.’ No see it. For the last time it appears on ‘wall-paper.’ No more will it eulogize the luxury of mule-meat and more will it eulogize the luxury of mule-meat and fricasseed kitten – urge Southern warriors to such diet fricasseed kitten – urge Southern warriors to such diet never-more.”never-more.”

July 2, 1863 edition of the Vicksburg Daily Citizen

Photo Library of Congress

After the After the 47-day siege (47-day siege (almost 6 weeksalmost 6 weeks)), ,

General John C. Pemberton surrenderedGeneral John C. Pemberton surrendered

Vicksburg to Union forces on July 4, 1863.Vicksburg to Union forces on July 4, 1863.

The pain did not easily go away for The pain did not easily go away for Vicksburg and its citizens. The town would Vicksburg and its citizens. The town would not celebrate the 4not celebrate the 4thth of July until 1945 when of July until 1945 when General Eisenhower visited during WWII.General Eisenhower visited during WWII.

John C. Pemberton Photo National Park Service

Vicksburg ResultsVicksburg Results

Cut the Confederacy into two segmentsCut the Confederacy into two segments

Mississippi River was now under Union controlMississippi River was now under Union control Northern commerce could float freely to the Gulf of Northern commerce could float freely to the Gulf of

MexicoMexico

30,000 Confederate troops surrendered to the 30,000 Confederate troops surrendered to the NorthNorth

Good for Grant’s reputationGood for Grant’s reputation

Illinois Illinois Memorial at Memorial at VicksburgVicksburg

•Illinois soldiers played an important role at Vicksburg. Obviously, Grant was in command but more than 36,000 Illinois troops helped win the victory as well.

•Illinois provided over one-half of the army that served at Vicksburg.

•The Illinois Memorial was dedicated in 1906.

•Cost: Half of the state budget at the time - about $194,000.

•It has 47 steps, one for each day of the siege.

•No instrument of war is located on the memorial.

•Real gold coats the eagle

Illinois Memorial at Vicksburg

Inside the Illinois Memorial, 60 bronze tablets list the names of all the soldiers who fought at Vicksburg.

This tablet displays the names from the 17th Infantry which included soldiers from the Monmouth, Illinois area.

It is estimated that around 400 women fought during the Civil War. The name here, Albert Cashire, was actually Jenny Hodges who fought for the Union and ended up living in the Quincy Veterans Home.

The battles of Shiloh & Vicksburg The battles of Shiloh & Vicksburg proved to be turning points in the war proved to be turning points in the war

& in Grant’s career.& in Grant’s career.____________________________________________________________________

Grant’s victory at Shiloh brought controversy, but it Grant’s victory at Shiloh brought controversy, but it opened the way to gain the railroad center of Corinth and opened the way to gain the railroad center of Corinth and later to the last Southern stronghold on the Mississippi later to the last Southern stronghold on the Mississippi River – Vicksburg.River – Vicksburg.

These battles secured the Western Theater for the Union.These battles secured the Western Theater for the Union.

Grant continued his battlefield success and was promoted Grant continued his battlefield success and was promoted to Supreme Commander over all Union Armies in 1864.to Supreme Commander over all Union Armies in 1864.

Confederate General Robert E. Lee ultimately surrendered Confederate General Robert E. Lee ultimately surrendered to Grant at Appomattox Court House in April of 1865 to to Grant at Appomattox Court House in April of 1865 to end the war.end the war.

Grant had been labeled a butcher and a drunk, but few had Grant had been labeled a butcher and a drunk, but few had more influence on the American Civil War.more influence on the American Civil War.

““Although a soldier by profession, I Although a soldier by profession, I have never felt any sort of fondness have never felt any sort of fondness for war, and I have never advocated for war, and I have never advocated

it, except as it, except as

a means of peace.”a means of peace.”

~Ulysses S. Grant~Ulysses S. Grant

Works CitedWorks Cited

Allen, Christopher. “Battle of Shiloh: The Devil’s Own Day.” Allen, Christopher. “Battle of Shiloh: The Devil’s Own Day.” America’s Civil War.America’s Civil War. January 2000. January 2000. Retrieved July 23, 2009 from http://www.historynet.com/battle-of-shiloh-the-devils-own-day.htm/3Retrieved July 23, 2009 from http://www.historynet.com/battle-of-shiloh-the-devils-own-day.htm/3

American Civil War Vicksburg Mississippi Campaign. Retrieved July 25, 2009 from American Civil War Vicksburg Mississippi Campaign. Retrieved July 25, 2009 from http://americancivilwar.com/vicks.html http://americancivilwar.com/vicks.html

Catton, Bruce. “Grant at Shiloh.” Retrieved July 22, 2009 from Catton, Bruce. “Grant at Shiloh.” Retrieved July 22, 2009 from http://www.americanheritage.com/articles/magazine/ah/1960/2/1960_2_64.shtmlhttp://www.americanheritage.com/articles/magazine/ah/1960/2/1960_2_64.shtml

Grant at Vicksburg. Retrieved July 22, 2009 from http://memory/loc.gov/ammem/today/may19.htmlGrant at Vicksburg. Retrieved July 22, 2009 from http://memory/loc.gov/ammem/today/may19.html

Greene, A. Wilson. U.S. Grant (1822-1885). Retrieved July 30, 2009 from Greene, A. Wilson. U.S. Grant (1822-1885). Retrieved July 30, 2009 from http://www.encyclopediavirginia.org/Grant_Ulysses_S_1822-1885http://www.encyclopediavirginia.org/Grant_Ulysses_S_1822-1885

McPherson, James M. “The Atlas of the Civil War.” Retrieved July 25, 2009 from McPherson, James M. “The Atlas of the Civil War.” Retrieved July 25, 2009 from http://www.civilwarhome.com/shilohdescription.htm. http://www.civilwarhome.com/shilohdescription.htm.

Owens, Mackubin T. “Another Tale of May: Grant’s Vicksburg Campaign.” Owens, Mackubin T. “Another Tale of May: Grant’s Vicksburg Campaign.” http://www.ashbrook.org/publicat/oped/owens/07/vicksburg.html. Retrieved 7/22/2009http://www.ashbrook.org/publicat/oped/owens/07/vicksburg.html. Retrieved 7/22/2009

Photos by author unless otherwise notedPhotos by author unless otherwise noted