Why wasn’t the Union better prepared for war? Considering the North’s overwhelming superiority in resources and manpower, how can the Confederate victories in the war’s first years be explained? BATTLE OF SHILOH: -­‐Union invades Tennessee under U.S. Grant and takes 14,000 prisoners. -­‐Attempt to secure a railroad station at Corinth, MS. -­‐Grant’s forces surprised by a Confederate attack at Shiloh. -­‐On day of the battle, Union forces eventually send Confederates into retreat, but Grant does not go on the offensive towards Vicksburg. -­‐This led to Grant’s dismissal (He may also have been drunk at the time of the battle). -­‐Confederacy was able to maintain control of the Miss. River/Vicksburg. -­‐Casualties: Union: 13,000 Confederate: 10,699 Generals begin to revise their tactics; the horrors of war/newer technology begin to be fully realized on both sides. BATTLE OF ANTIETAM: -­‐McClellan’s forces threaten Richmond, VA but Lee’s forces hold out. -­‐ Both clashed in Sharpsburg, MD and Antietam Creek Sept 17th, 1862. -­‐22,000 casualties by days end, bloodiest day in U.S. history. -­‐McClellan dismissed for the 2nd time after not pursuing Lee’s army South. SIGNFICANCE OF SHILOH AND ANTIETAM… In both cases, generals and soldiers on either side witnessed catastrophes far greater and horrific than any other previous battle engagement in the Civil War and previous. This might be a good explanation as to why generals failed to follow up these battles with more definitive victories, as they are only human, and were clearly shaken by the results of these two conflicts. The fact that weaponry and tactics did not match up really showed in these two battles, thus prolonged the Civil War.