Also known as the battle of pittsburg landing, the battle of shiloh took place from april 6 to april 7, 1862, and was one of the biggest early battles of the american civil war (1861-1865). the battle of shiloh began when the confederates did a surprise attack on union forces under general ulysses s. grant in tennessee. after success, the confederates were unable to hold their positions and were pushed back further and further, ending in a union victory. both sides struggled with heavy debt.