Return to Bell's Farm

On the second day of fighting, Federal forces retook ground lost the day before as General Don Carlos Buell's fresh divisions attacked the Confederate right and fighting again consumed Sarah Bell's farm. Debris from the previous day's battle littered the fields and woods, while the Confederates launched a piecemeal counterattack from Union camps they had occupied overnight. Confusion lingered within the southern ranks as lines of authority disrupted during the first day deteriorated further, commanders lost touch with their men, entire regiments seemed to have gone missing, and officers had failed to resupply their commands with ammunition. Despite these problems, the hastily reformed Confederates stubbornly resisted and halted Buell's morning advance. At noon, reinforced by additional troops, Buell advanced again, driving the Confederate right and center south. By sunset, Buell's troops had reoccupied Union camps lost the previous day.

Shiloh, Tennessee · United States