Geography

In Chapter 7, as injured soldiers begin coming home from the war, the Creightons hear more about the battle of Shiloh. One day, a wounded soldier brings to Matt the sad news that his son, Tom, was among the many who were killed there.

Later, news comes in of another battle. General Halleck had shuffled the generals at Pittsburg Landing after the battle there, assigning Grant to an assistant position, and taking command of the field himself.

Then there had been a slow but steady approach of the Union army toward Corinth, a Confederate base and strategic railroad center, where Confederate General Beauregard had withdrawn his armies.

As Grant had been criticized for not entrenching at Pittsburg Landing, Halleck was determined to entrench himself all the way from Shiloh to Corinth.

Arriving finally at Corinth, expecting a big win, Halleck found that Beauregard had withdrawn, leaving campfires burning, dummy guns with dummy cannoneers behind them, and a few drummer boys to play in the deserted streets.

While Halleck occupied Corinth, but it was a hollow and humiliating victory, seeming to many as if the Confederates had won by arranging a successful retreat.

• Estimated Casualties = Unknown
• Union Victory