What was the importance of the Battle of Shiloh?

Answer 1

The Battle of Shiloh was a major Union Victory in the "West" (Tennessee) It was a much needed victory for at the same time Robert E. Lee and the Confederates were doing well in the East (Virginia) so Grant's win at Shiloh was a morale boost. It also moved the Union closer to its "western goal" of gaining control of the Mississippi River thus "dividing and conquering the South". However, Shiloh also highlighted a weakness in Grant and his career suffered heavily following the battle of Shiloh. Confederate forces would have inevitably won Shiloh if backups from Sherman had not arrived, before this occurred the confederates were winning. Shiloh is also significant as it was one of the most deadly battles in American history.