Sherman and Shiloh.

[major bill]

I know that The Battle of Shiloh rehabilitated Sherman and many see his actions at Shiloh as an indication of his superior leadership.

However, is the great praise Sherman recived for the Battle of Shiloh well deserved? I feel one could make the claim that Sherman at Shiloh was average but not spectacular. I am not certain that Sherman saved the day at Shiloh and perhaps other Union officers contributions are over looked.

 

[Andy Cardinal]

I know that The Battle of Shiloh rehabilitated Sherman and many see his actions at Shiloh as an indication of his superior leadership.

However, is the great praise Sherman recived for the Battle of Shiloh well deserved? I feel one could make the claim that Sherman at Shiloh was average but not spectacular. I am not certain that Sherman saved the day at Shiloh and perhaps other Union officers contributions are over looked.

My own belief is that Sherman must bear some responsibility for the surprise. On the other hand, I think he acted with decisiveness & great personal courage once he realize a major attack was underway. He was a great personal example for many of the raw soldiers under his command.

 

[jackt62]

Sherman and Grant (despite their denials) were surprised at Shiloh. Sherman dismissed reports of a Confederate build-up and did not prepare or entrench his troops in defensive positions. That being said, his performance after the Confederate onslaught began was excellent. His initial lack of preparation might have been prompted in part by the severe criticism he received after raising alarms about Confederate strength in Kentucky, some months previously.

 

[TomV71]

What "saved the day" at Shiloh, was the arrival of Buells troops, not Sherman IMO.
If Grant had not received those reinforcements, I am sure the confederates would have finished him off on the second day. Especially if Johnston had not been killed, which i personally think doomed the entire war in the west for the confederacy.

Edit: I made a new thread about A.S.Johnston in the general discussions.

 

[jackt62]

What "saved the day" at Shiloh, was the arrival of Buells troops, not Sherman IMO.
If Grant had not received those reinforcements, I am sure the confederates would have finished him off on the second day. Especially if Johnston had not been killed, which i personally think doomed the entire war in the west for the confederacy.

Edit: I made a new thread about A.S.Johnston in the general discussions.

It was Buell's troops that ultimately assured Grant of victory. However, despite Grant being hobbled on the first day by being taken by surprise and by the absence of one of his own division's (Lew Wallace) failure to reach the field on time because of bungled instructions, it was the steadfast defense by, in particular Sherman's, Prentis's and W.H.L. Wallace's divisions that prevented the southern forces from defeating Grant on the first day.