GRANT: The Western Campaign of 1862

Early in 1862 a little-known general named U.S. Grant led the Union’s offensive into West Tennessee. After capturing two river forts and the largest bag of prisoners ever captured by an American army to that time, Grant made a daring advance up the Tennessee River, while supporting armies advanced down the Mississippi and overland through Tennessee. But the Confederate army under A.S. Johnston hit back, staking everything on a furious battle in the woods around Shiloh Church.