The Battle of Shiloh: A History (April 6th) - Ultimate General: Civil War - Union Part 7

Today I return to my union let's play of Ultimate General: Civil War, the sequel to the 2015 smash hit, Ultimate General: Gettysburg and published by Game Labs. In this video I discuss the first day's fighting at Shiloh and the history around it.

[tdubs]

Toured the battlefield in December. Really awesome to see the level of accuracy that they were able to recreate in the game. The creeks are all dried up and there is a much thicker underbrush than what was present some 150 years ago but spot on for the time. Me and my brother walked out into the Hornet's Nest to the exact location where the Union forces surrendered and became aware of a presence. A deep feeling of emotion, heavy and rancid. It just felt dark and weighted in the woods and we both felt it. Not like a superstitious ghost feeling, but somehow like the gravity of the location pulled you in and was trying to show you something. Then it hits you and you realize that thousands of men battled and died on the same ground you a standing on. Truly humbling experience. I love the Civil War period.

Side note, from what I remember about the battlefield markers that denoted areas of interest, the peach orchard was significant because it was the location of a Union filed hospital, one of the first deployed ever by the US. The orchard is a couple miles from the hornets nest toward the Union rear. Johnston was shot in a thicket in a swamp as he was observing his men advance up a hill. Also the swamp is huge. Creek beds and mud stretched across much of the battlefield which slowed the advance of the confederates and made easy targets for the Union troops. You sound like you know more about this than I do but thats just how I recall the battlefield being demarcated. If it's possible I recommend you take a tour. Its really well preserved and gives you perspective on how massive the battlefield actually was. I think the initial engagements were some 3-6 miles from Pittsburgh Landing. But yet another great video man!

[bobbihilllane]

Davis kept his eyes on defending Richmond. Johnston received little more than leftovers. He had few competent generals. He sent dispatch after dispatch to forts Henery and Donaldson telling them to prepare their defences. He was ignored, and both surrendered with little or no battle. NO ONE COULD HAVE HELD THE LINE UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES. in fact Sherman outnumbered Johnston ten to one in the first year of the war. Sherman had a nervous breakdown expecting Johnston to attack at any time and was relieved of duty. He had returned just days prior to Shiloh.
Beulergard was to have been directing troops in the rear, but in fact he was in a ambulance with an upset stomach. Johnston was a soldier with a temper equal to Andrew Jackson. In the Mexican war Johnston and Davis with four hundred men defeated three thousand Lancers and took a town where the commander wanted to assassinate them. Johnston saved Davis` life. At any rate, the battlefield a Shiloh is spread out, and the troops were very green. They needed someone to keep an eye on them. Before the war, Johnston commanded the famed Second Calvary in Texas. about ten or so great generals were produced under his command. Lee was second in command. I guess Johnston couldn`t. Resist leading the men in a charge. Johnston and Buckner in Okinawa are the two highest ranking general to be killed in action.

[BrorealeK]

The first day of Shiloh was a very bloody affair, and it's not fair to say that the only fighting was done around the Hornet's Nest. The Union was resisting Confederate advances all the way from the Tennessee River to Owl Creek. As evidence, the total area the Rebels covered was about 5 miles, and their advance went from early morning all the way to sundown. The first day of Shiloh was by far the most decisive.

Another note on the Federal left flank: as it bordered the Tennessee River, and Union gunboats were protecting Pittsburgh Landing, the Rebels were inadvertently charging into a crossfire. There are testimonials of the USS Lexington and Tyler firing point-black into the Confederate advance on their right flank. Furthermore, this advance on the right flank, meant to cut off Pittsburgh Landing, was through terrible terrain. The last 200 yards from the final Rebel lines to the last Union defensive position is a gorge between two riverside bluffs, the cleft of which is a sodden, forested swamp. The Rebels couldn't set up their artillery in this area and were stuck, pinned under fire from three sides. The use of artillery was essential in this battle, where two-thirds of the field was covered in thick forest that could block minie balls. The hornet's nest was bombarded by nearly the entirety of Johnston's artillery in order to break it, while the Union had an even greater battery of artillery lined up for the defense of Pittsburgh Landing that warded off further Confederate assaults.

I've had the pleasure of visiting the Shiloh battlefield twice. It's well-preserved, thanks in part to the fact that it's in the middle of nowhere. Fun fact: there's actually a Mississipean mound site right smack dab in the middle of the battlefield. Just thought it was cool that two different historical sites overlap each other like that.

[ice]

Hi there! Love your series man. I like your gameplays and also your historical topics. Keep on working it hard! By the way, I need more gameplays from Afghanistan 11

[absurdist]

Love the history lesson, fantastic, all new to me (being Australian). You present it very well.

[fuzzydunlop]

How to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

[fuzzydunlop]

Also, if it were the femoral artery, then to the best of my medical knowledge he would've had to have been wearing so mighty tall boots since I believe that's in the thigh area. Though I don't want to judge the man, perhaps he found utility in such kinky boots.