The Battle of Shiloh, also known as the Battle of Pittsburg Landing, was a significant early battle in the American Civil War. It took place from April 6 to 7, 1862, in southwestern Tennessee, near the Tennessee River. Union forces, led by Major General Ulysses S. Grant, were surprised by a Confederate attack under General Albert Sidney Johnston. The battle saw fierce fighting, with heavy casualties on both sides. After a devastating initial Confederate assault, Union reinforcements arrived, and the Confederates were forced to retreat. The battle resulted in over 23,000 combined casualties, making it one of the bloodiest battles of the war. The Union's victory at Shiloh helped secure control of the Mississippi Valley, boosting Northern morale and solidifying Grant's reputation as a capable leader.