Definition

Proper noun A major engagement in the American Civil War, fought on April 6-7, 1862, in southwestern Tennessee. It was one of the bloodiest battles of the war up to that point, involving high casualties on both sides. The battle concluded with Confederate forces retreating from the field, but the Union army failed to achieve a decisive strategic victory or immediate pursuit.

Usage

The term is used to refer specifically to this historical military event. * Historians study the Battle of Shiloh to understand early Civil War tactics. * The Battle of Shiloh demonstrated the war's escalating brutality.

Advanced Usage

• "The Hornet's Nest": A key defensive position held by Union forces during the first day of the battle, famous for intense fighting.
• Shiloh National Military Park: The preserved battlefield site in Tennessee, commemorating the event.

Variants and Related Words

• Battle of Pittsburg Landing: An alternative name for the same battle, named for the nearby Union landing site on the Tennessee River.
• Shiloh: Often used alone to refer to the battle (e.g., "the aftermath of Shiloh").

Synonyms

• The Battle of Pittsburg Landing (alternate name)

Related Phrases

• Bloody Shiloh: A common epithet highlighting the battle's severe casualty count.

Noun

1. the second great battle of the American Civil War (1862); the battle ended with the withdrawal of Confederate troops but it was not a Union victory