Today is April 6. On this date in history, in 1862, we witness the first day of the
Battle of Shiloh (Pittsburg Landing), American Civil War, on the Tennessee River in southwest Tennessee.
This was the bloodiest battle up to that date in the war, and ended the assumption that one battle would decide the issue one way or the other.
The Union commander, U. S. Grant, was surprised by an early morning Confederate attack. The Union troops fell back or were driven back to the Tennessee River, but the Confederates were not able to overwhelm them.
Also Albert S. Johnston, Confederate commander, was killed. Grant was reinforced overnight and the next day routed the Confederates.
This is a very interesting battle and click on the link to read a little more about it.