Page:The Presidents of the United States, 1789-1914, v. III.djvu/58

 34 LIVES OF THE PRESIDENTS when his services were again required in view of the enemy s having concentrated a large army near Corinth, Miss., and he transferred his headquar ters to Savannah, on Tennessee river, on the 17th. He found the forces under his command, number ing about 38,000 men, encamped on both sides of the river, and at once transferred them all to the west side and concentrated them in the vicinity of Pittsburg Landing. He there selected a favor able position, and put his army in line, with the right resting at Shiloh Church, nearly three miles from the river. Gen. Grant was directed not to attack the enemy, but to await the arrival of Gen. Buell s army of 40,000 men, which was marching south ward through Tennessee to join Grant. On April 6 the Confederate army, numbering nearly 50,000 men, commanded by Gen. Albert S. Johnston, made a vigorous attack at daylight, drove the Na tional troops back in some confusion, and continued to press the advantage gained during the entire day. Gen. Johnston was killed about one o clock, and the command of the Confederates devolved upon Gen. Beauregard; 5,000 of Grant s troops did not arrive on the field during the day, so that his command was outnumbered, and it required all his efforts to hold his position on the river until evening. Late in the afternoon the head of Buell s column crossed the river, but not in time to partici-