Ulysses S. Grant was the commander of forces in the Union's western campaign. The western campaign's main focus was to take control of the Mississippi River. Their strategy would cut off the East of the Confederacy from food sources in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas. From Mississippi, the Union could attack the communication and transportation networks of the south. In February of 1862, Ulysses Grant commanded an assault force into Tennessee. The army took two outposts out. On Feb 6, Fort Henry was captured. The Battle of Shiloh began on April 6, 1862 and lasted for two days. Each army had about 10,000 casualties, but Grant won.