the thickest of the fight" (The Papers of Jefferson Davis, 1995, p 131). In a letter written to General Earl Van Dorn from Jefferson Davis, the president stated "The report that General A.S. Johnston was killed sadly depresses me. Victory however great cannot cheer me in the face of such a loss. God grant it may not be true and he yet lives to sustain the cause for which he was willing to die" (The Papers of Jefferson Davis, 1995, p 135). Jefferson Davis held Albert Sydney Johnston is such high esteem that he was known to say he "would have gladly turned the presidency over to him if he had had the power" and that he was "the only man he could lean on with entire confidence" (The Papers of Jefferson Davis, 1995, p 132).Since the succession of the South and the beginning of the War Between the States, both side were expecting one battle to decide the war. Reports to newspapers from Shiloh suggested the enormity and importance of the fight. "The great battle to which the whole nation has so long been looking forward, begun this morning and has resulted in a complete victory" (New Orleans, Times-Picayune, 1862). This report was accurate as far as the first day’s fight was concerned. General P.G.T. Beauregard wrote to C.F.S. (4)President Jefferson Davis in agreement with the the Times-Picayune reporting that "We this morning attacked the enemy in strong position in front of Pittsburg & after a Severe battle of ten hours, thanks be to the Almighty, gained a complete victory driving the enemy from every position" (The Papers of Jefferson Davis, 1995, p 131). Both points of view show an overwhelming victory for the South during the first day’s battle.The second day at Shiloh was a different story. "As anticipated from intelligence received at a late hour Sunday night, the enemy received strong reinforcements in the morning and about 7 o’clock renewed fighting" (New Orleans, Times-Picayune, 1862). The Confederates held their o...
