The New Student's Reference Work/Shiloh, Battle of

Shiloh, Battle of, one of the most desperate battles of the Civil War, named for a log meetinghouse two miles from Pittsburg Landing on Tennessee River. The battle between the Confederates under Johnston and the Federal army under Grant lasted two days. On the first the Federals were driven steadily back, but regained the lost ground on the next day, when re-enforced by Buell's command. Johnston was killed and the Confederates retreated, with nearly equal losses on both sides. The battle began on Sunday, April 6, 1862, and is sometimes called the battle of Pittsburg Landing.