People

In Chapter 6, Jethro learns of the Battle of Shiloh, at Pittsburg Landing, in Tennessee.

General Grant, who came into favor in Chapter 4, was seen to have done poorly at the Battle of Shiloh, and Jethro reflects on the sway in public opinion that shifts from battle to battle.

Although Grant is held responsible as the commanding officer, it was the Union troops under the command of General William Tecumseh Sherman who were actually taken by surprise in a Confederate offensive.

On the Southern side, Confederate General Johnston revives his sagging popularity, only to be killed in battle that same day, succeeded by General Beauregard, who we learned about in Chapter 2.

To the rescue of the Union came troops under the command of General Don Carlos Buell, whose name Jenny expresses a liking for.

While the battle is credited as a win for the Union, the commanders who took part in it are generally criticized by the people who Jethro speaks to.

Grant, as the commanding officer, is blamed for permitting himself to be taken by surprise. Buell is criticized for being late getting reinforcements to the Union armies under attack, and Wallace is said to have gotten lost in the woods when Grant needed him the most.

There were two generals with the name of Wallace on the Union side of the Battle of Shiloh: Brig. General W. H. L. Wallace and Major General Lewis Wallace; but the former was killed in battle on the first day, while the latter was said to have taken a wrong route to the battle, thus arriving late.

Other generals on the Union side taking part in the Battle of Shiloh, but not mentioned in Chapter 6 of Across Five Aprils include Boyle, Crittenden, Garfield, Halleck, Hurlbut, Lauman, Nelson, McArthur, McClernand, McCook, Prentiss, Rousseau, the other Wallace, and Wood.

Generals on the Confederate side were Anderson, Beauregard, Bowen, Bragg, Breckinridge, Chalmers, Cheatham, Clark, Cleburne, Gladden, Hardee, Hindan, Jackson, Johnson, Johnston, Polk, Ruggles, Stewart, Withers, and Wood.