Chris Calle (American, B. 1961) "Shiloh" Signed lower right. Original Mixed Media on Illustration Board Painting. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting originally appeared on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the 32c Battle of Shiloh Classic Collection Series stamp issued June 29, 1995. In February 1862, General Ulysses S. Grant captured Fort Henry on the Tennessee River. He then moved against Fort Donelson on the Cumberland River. When the Confederate commander, General Simon Bolivar Buckner, asked for "the best terms of capitulation," Grant replied, "No terms except an unconditional and immediate surrender can be accepted." Fort Donelson, with nearly 15,000 Confederate troops, surrendered and Grant became a national hero. General Henry W. Halleck, now commander of all western Union forces, ordered Grant to proceed down the Tennessee River. General Don Carlos Buell would then join him from eastern Kentucky. With about 42,000 men, Grant marched to Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee. Confederate General Albert Sidney Johnston, with an army of about 40,000 men, decided to strike at Grant before Buell arrived. The initial Confederate assault on April 6, near Shiloh Church, caught the Federals by surprise. Grant's army was nearly defeated, but somehow managed to hold. General Johnston, however, was wounded in the leg and by nightfall had bled to death. General P.G.T. Beauregard assumed command of Confederate forces. On April 7, Buell arrived with 20,000 Union reinforcements. After savage fighting throughout the day, the Confederates were forced to retreat to Corinth, Mississippi. The Battle of Shiloh, although a Union victory, prompted public outcry to replace Grant because of his heavy losses, more than 10,000 casualties. But Lincoln responded, "I can't spare this man -- he fights!" Image Size: 14.25 x 12 in. Overall Size: 23 x 18 in. Unframed. (B15195)