Ulysses S. Grant almost lost his post at Shiloh

Ulysses S. Grant received scathing criticism for his command during the Battle of Shiloh, one of the costliest conflicts in American history up to that moment, following the dual wins of Henry and Donelson. Even though the Union prevailed, there were a stunning 23,746 total casualties, with a preponderance of Union soldiers.

Grant's army was ready to meet up with General Don Carlos Buell's men on April 6, 1862, with the intention of seizing a crucial Confederate railroad junction and vital transit route in nearby Corinth, Mississippi. However, Grant's men were ambushed by the armies of Confederate general Albert Sidney Johnston before Buell could reach them. Up until Buell's army arrived to supply reinforcements, the Union soldiers had spent the majority of that day being driven back by Confederate forces.

Although Grant was unprepared, there were immediate calls for his resignation even if the Union prevailed. Alexander McClure, a Pennsylvania politician, went to see Abraham Lincoln at the White House and urged him to fire General Grant. He stated, "I appealed to Lincoln for his own sake to remove Grant at once, and, in giving my reasons for it, I simply voiced the admittedly overwhelming protest from the loyal people of the land against Grant's continuance in command." Later, McClure remembered Lincoln's response, which was, "I can't spare this man; he fights."

Grant informed Julia in a letter dated April 30, 1862, that he was "sober as a deacon no matter what is stated to the contrary" in response to accusations that his early error at Shiloh was caused by intoxication.