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After his victories at Forts Donelson and Henry, U.S. Grant moved southwards along the west bank of the Tennesssee River. General Lew Wallace took a position at Crump's Landing where most of the supply wagons were located while Grant occupied Pittsburgh Landing, traveling back to a headquarters on the east bank each night. His orders were to wait on the arrival of Buell's forces before attacking Corinth. on the night of Friday the 4th, 1862, traveling back to his headquarters in a blinding rain, Grant's horse slipped and fell on Grant severely bruising his leg. But suppose the fall had caused a fatal injury. A.S. Johnston's army of 55.000 is nearby and by April 3, he had determined to surprise Grant, cut his army off from retreat to the Tennessee River and drive the Federals west into the swamps of Owl Creek. Without Grant, is the Confederate attack more likely to succeed?
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