On the morning of April 6, 1862 the Confederate Army attacked Grants forces in a effort to drive them away from the Tennessee River and into the swamps of the Owl Creek to the west, hoping to defeat Grant's Army of the Tennessee before the anticipated arrival of Maj. Gen. Don Carlos Buells Army of the Ohio. In the confusion of the Confederate lines the Union forces instead retreated to the Northeast in the direction of Pittsburg landing. Where they were able to regroup their forces and mount a counter attack the next morning.