The Southerners cut a wide gap in the Northern army, through which they rushed in triumph, holding the Corinth road against every attack and making their rear secure.
Sherman's division, after its momentary repulse, gathered itself anew, and, although knowing now that the Southern army could not be entrapped, drove again with all its might upon the positions around the church.
They passed over the dead of the day before, and gathered increasing vigor, as they saw that the enemy was slowly drawing back.
Grant reformed his line, which had been shattered by the last fiery and successful attack of the South.

Along the whole long line the trumpets sang the charge, and brigades and batteries advanced.
But the end of Shiloh was at hand.

Despite the prodigies of valor performed by their men, the Southern generals saw that they could not longer hold the field.

The junction of Grant and Buell, after all, had proved too much for them.

The bugles sounded the retreat, and reluctantly they gave up the ground which they had won with so much courage and daring.