I often come back to the Civil War, because I believe that one must have a good grasp of what happened in America in the late 19th century to truly understand what and who we are as a nation. The biggest thing, put simply, is before the Civil War the United States “were,” after the war the United States “is.” I don’t expect everyone to read as much about it as a history nerd like me has, but if I can begin to pique the curiosity of a few men and women to do even a little more research into our history, then I’ve done part of my job as their chaplain.
Lick ’em tomorrow, though.
On April 6th, 1862, after a two-day march over rain-drenched roads shin deep in mud, forces from the Confederate Army of Mississippi, General Albert Sydney Johnston commanding, attacked the Union Army of the Tennessee under the command of General Ulysses S. Grant. Grant’s army was positioned near Pittsburg Landing on the Tennessee River at a place made remarkable only by its little Quaker church, called Shiloh.
The word “shiloh” comes from Hebrew and means “peace,” but the Battle of Shiloh that began 161 years ago this date was the bloodiest battle ever fought on American soil. That is, it was until later Civil War battles eclipsed its horrifying destruction of humanity. The Battle of Shiloh was the first real revelation of what the next three years of war had in store for our young nation. 3482 Americans of both armies died on the battlefield, and more than 16,000 were wounded over the two days of fighting.
The attack began at about 0900 on the 6th, and Confederate forces pushed the Union Army back towards the Tennessee River. Union soldiers offered stiff resistance, though, particularly those of General William T. Sherman’s brigade and another group of infantry defending a sunken road that came to be known as “the hornets’ nest.” It took eight Confederate charges to dislodge the blue-clad defenders from their position. The stubbornness of the defenders allowed Grant to marshal a new line of defense that held firm until nightfall suspended the fighting.
As Grant’s commanders were making their reports that evening, Sherman said to him “Well, Grant, we’ve had the devil’s own day, haven’t we?”
“Yes,” said Grant, “Lick ‘em tomorrow though.”
And so he did. Now led by General P.G.T Beauregard, General Johnston having been killed in the previous day’s fighting, the Confederate Army thought their opponent was beaten, and so they were totally unprepared for the Union counter-attack that broke with the dawn of the next morning. Over the course of a day that would see vigorous back-and-forth combat, Grant’s army gradually pushed Beauregard’s Confederates back, forcing them to yield the ground they had gained the day before, and by 1700 forced their retreat all the way back to their base of operations in Corinth, MS.
Looking over the scene after the battle, Gen. Grant noted that he “saw an open field in our possession on the second day, over which the Confederates had made repeated charges the day before, so covered with dead that it would have been possible to walk across the clearing, in any direction, without a foot touching the ground.”
Before April 6, 1862 most Americans still believed that the war would be short and likely decided by one great battle. The Battle of Shiloh shattered all of those illusions and awakened Americans to the true nature of the fight they had so recently begun.
War is never the ideal thing, though sometimes it is a necessary and justifiable thing. For those of us who train for war it is imperative that we remember these stories, lest we forget the viciousness that is present even in the most virtuous war.
Another lesson we can take from this story is that Grant’s belief that he was not whipped, combined with Beauregard’s belief that he was, led to the Confederate Army getting whipped. Never take anything for granted and always be prepared. You don’t want the problem you thought that you’d licked to come back and whip you.
LET US PRAY
Almighty God, we remember the heroes of our past and recount their heroic deeds to inspire us, may we never forget the cost that often accompanies such virtue. Though we must prepare for war and train to fight, help us to be humbled by the power at our disposal rather than haughty, and reluctant to use it without the greatest provocation. Give us the wisdom to stay well prepared so that we can make the proper decision when the time comes, for You are a God of wisdom and power, and to You we give glory, honor, and worship now and forever, and to the ages of ages.
AMEN
An Orthodox Priest Abroad 