Grant was suddenly a national heroto all, it seemed, except his superior officer, Maj. Gen. Henry W. Halleck. Floyd's background was political, not military, but he was nevertheless the senior brigadier general on the Cumberland River. Gen. John B. Floyd, who had just arrived following an unsuccessful assignment under Robert E. Lee in western Virginia. Fort Donelson National Battlefield preserves Fort Donelson and Fort Heiman, two sites of the American Civil War Forts Henry and Donelson Campaign, in which Union Army Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant and Flag Officer Andrew Hull Foote captured three Confederate forts and opened two rivers, the Tennessee River and the Cumberland River, to control by the Union Navy. Fort Donelson National Battlefield - Explore Kentucky Lake There were three miles (5km) of trenches in a semicircle around the fort and the small town of Dover. Lobby Hours . Directions & Transportation Directions The main unit of Fort Donelson National Battlefield is located in Dover, Tennessee, and can be accessed from US Highway 79. Constructed with donations from around the country, and coordinated by the United Daughters of the Confederacy, dedicating it in 1933. The outer works were bounded by Hickman Creek to the west, Lick Creek to the east, and the Cumberland River to the north. Grant realized that any success at Fort Donelson would have to be carried by the army without strong naval support, and he wired Halleck that he might have to resort to a siege. Within 5 miles of your location. [51], Grant, who was courteous to Buckner following the surrender, offered to loan him money to see him through his impending imprisonment, but Buckner declined. Halleck slipped out of the lie he created by saying that Grants questionable actions were well intentioned and for the public good, and then he cleared him: There never has been any want of military subordination on the part of General Grant.. The Fort Heiman unit is not largely developed. The American Battlefield Trust is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Fort Donelson National Battlefield 4.5 202 reviews #1 of 6 things to do in Dover National Parks Battlefields Visit website Call Write a review About This marks the site where Confederate general Simon B. Buckner surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant, Union general. Instead, the responsibility went to Brig. Before that he'd been only a light smoker, but after finding that he couldn't give them all away, took to smoking them, which probably contributed to his later death from throat cancer. They were pursued by the Fifth Iowa Cavalry, but to no avail. Stay. Main Office, Lebanon. The subsequent duel between Footes Pook Turtles and the heavier guns at the fort lead to a Union defeat. Altogether, the Union forces numbered nearly 25,000 men, although at the start of the battle, only 15,000 were available. Kentucky's westernmost (First) congressional district elected a secessionist and Lincoln proclaimed it to be in rebellion. [4] In mid-May, on the west bank of the river not far below Dover, Anderson laid out the water battery of Fort Donelson, twelve miles (19km) from the Kentucky line. The cemetery is presently unavailable for additional burials. Official MapQuest website, find driving directions, maps, live traffic updates and road conditions. Nevin, David, and the Editors of Time-Life Books. Public domain. A second messenger arrived at Wallace's camp in tears, crying, "Our right flank is turned! Early in the morning of February 11, Grant held a council of war in which all of his generals supported his plans for an attack on Fort Donelson, with the exception of Brig. During the night, Confederate leaders discuss their options. Foote had miscalculated the assault. . The main unit of Fort Donelson National Battlefield is located in Dover, Tennessee, and can be accessed from US Highway 79. The capture of Forts Henry and Donelson were the first significant Union victories in the war and opened two great rivers to invasion in the heartland of the South. For unknown reasons Haynie never fully took control and the attack was repulsed. A brief skirmish ensued until orders from Buckner arrived to fall back within the entrenchments. A. The Civil War Trust (a division of the American Battlefield Trust) and its partners have acquired and preserved 368 acres (1.49km2) of the battlefield, most of which has been conveyed to the NPS and incorporated into the battlefield park.[7]. A week after capturing Fort Henry on the Tennessee River, Union Brigadier General Ulysses Grant began his assault on Fort Donelson on the Cumberland River, a key gateway to the Confederacy. [36], The Confederate offensive ended around 12:30p.m., when Wallace's and Thayer's Union troops formed a defensive line on a ridge astride Wynn's Ferry Road. PO Box 434 All articles are regularly reviewed and updated by the HISTORY.com team. Brigadier General John McClernands division attempts to reform its lines, but the ongoing Rebel attacks continue to drive his forces to the southeast. More than 7,000 Confederate prisoners of war were eventually transported from Fort Donelson to Camp Douglas in Chicago, Camp Morton in Indianapolis,[53] and other prison camps elsewhere in the North. The war had been going badly for the Union in Virginia, but the captures of Fort Henry and Fort Donelson were promising victories. No formal records were taken of the Confederates who surrendered and estimates vary. The Union brigades of Cols. The 68th Ohio was left behind to protect the rear. Fort Donelson National Battlefield preserves Fort Donelson and Fort Heiman, two sites of the American Civil War Forts Henry and Donelson Campaign, in which Union Army Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant and Flag Officer Andrew Hull Foote captured three Confederate forts and opened two rivers, the Tennessee River and the Cumberland . After hearing sounds of artillery fire, Pillow returned to Fort Donelson to resume command. A site for the Tennessee River fort was not as easy to locate. No An official form of the United States government. Stewart County, TN | Feb 13 - 16, 1862 The decisive Union victory at Fort Donelson thrust Brig. [24], Although the weather had been mostly rainy up to this point in the campaign, a snow storm arrived the night of February 13, with strong winds that brought temperatures down to 1012F (12C) and deposited 3inches (8cm) of snow by morning. The Battle of Fort Donelson (February 11-16, 1862) was one of the Unions first major victories in the American Civil War (1861-65). The Fort Donelson National Battlefield, located along the banks of the Cumberland River, is a great place to visit. Once past the fixed river batteries, Fort Donelson would have been defenseless. Fort Donelson National Battlefield (U.S. National Park Service) The most vulnerable area in the Confederate defensive line in the Western Theater was the state of Kentucky. Western Theater of the American Civil War, Ulysses S. Grant and the American Civil War, Troop engagements of the American Civil War, 1862, List of costliest American Civil War land battles, Commemoration of the American Civil War on postage stamps, "Nothing but God Almighty Can Save That Fort. He sent orders to General Wallace, who had been left behind at Fort Henry, to bring his men to Fort Donelson. This earned him the nickname Unconditional Surrender. President Abraham Lincoln (1809-65) promoted Grant to major general after the battle. The fall of this heavily fortified fort on the Tennessee River was deep in the heart of the confederacy. The following morning, Floyd and Pillow escaped with a small detachment of troops, relinquishing command to Brig. The Battle of Fort Donelson. Richard Oglesby and John McArthur were hit hardest; they withdrew in a generally orderly manner to the rear for regrouping and resupply. Improve this listing All photos (224) The area 17475; Woodworth, p. 91. He stormed out of the meeting and led about seven hundred of his cavalrymen on their escape from the fort. Although Foote was reluctant to proceed before adequate reconnaissance, he moved his gunboats close to the shore by 3:00p.m. and opened fire, just as he had done at Fort Henry. Updated: May 26, 2020 | Original: December 2, 2009. Wallace, who was hesitant to disobey orders, sent an aide to Grant's headquarters for further instructions. Find nearby businesses, restaurants and hotels. Although rightfully in command of two of the three regiments, Morrison volunteered to turn over command once the attack was under way; however, when the attack began, Morrison was wounded, eliminating any leadership ambiguity. Confederate Union The battle of Fort Donelson, which began on February 12, took place shortly after the surrender of Fort Henry, Tennessee, on February 6, 1862. What was the personal relationship between Ulysses S. Grant and Simon B. Buckner? Locations | U.S. Geological Survey After the fall of Fort Henry on February 6, 1862,Brig. I propose to move immediately upon your works. The Confederate general accepts Grants ultimatum but sends back a petulant reply: The distribution of the forces under my command, incident to an unexpected change of commanders, and the over-whelming force under your command, compel me, notwithstanding the brilliant success of the Confederate arms yesterday, to accept the ungenerous and unchivalrous terms which you propose., But the exchange between the commanders grows more cordial when they meet face to face. Lobby Hours Monday - Thursday 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Friday Historian Kendall Gott suggested that it would have been more prudent to stay as far downriver as possible, and use the fleet's longer-range guns to reduce the fort. Grant agreed to treat wounded Confederates, provide hungry Rebel troops with rations, and forbade any formal ceremony designed to humiliate the men in their defeat: There will be nothing of the kind. Relief shown by hachures. After graduation, they both served in the Mexican-American War in General Winifred Scotts division. We recommend that no matter which way you come, that you use a map-finding service, such as Google Maps, to find usthe addresses to enter: Fort Donelson Main: 120 Fort Donelson Park Road, Dover, TN, 37058, Fort Donelson National Cemetery/ Park Headquarters: 174 National Cemetery Drive, Dover, TN, 37058. Around 8:00a.m. McClernand sent a message requesting assistance from Lew Wallace, but Wallace had no orders from Grant, who was still absent, to respond to an attack on a fellow officer and declined the initial request. The Tennessee and Cumberland rivers were potential avenues for a Union invasion of the South through Kentucky and into Tennessee and beyond. The Battle of Fort Donelson, fought from February 13th to the 16th, 1862, opened up the Cumberland River, along with Middle Tennessee, to advancing Union armies. In July 1885, with the Civil War twenty years behind them, Buckner decided to pay a visit to his old friend and opponent. Frequently Asked Questions - Fort Donelson National Battlefield (U.S Description Outcome The Battle of Fort-Donelson resulted in 507 deaths, 1,976 wounded, and 208 captured or missing among the Union's forces, and 327 deaths, 1,127 wounded, and 12,392 captured or missing Confederate soldiers. By February 13, most of Grants soldiers are positioned on the landward (western) side of the fort. The First American President: Setting the Precedent, African Americans During the Revolutionary War, Help Save 125 Battlefield Acres in Virginia, Help Restore History at Gettysburg, Cold Harbor & More, Help Us Save Hallowed Ground in Tennessee and Kentucky, Help Save 820 Acres at Five Virginia Battlefields, Save 343 Acres at FIVE Battlefields in FOUR Western Theater States, Save 42 Historic Acres at the Battle of Chancellorsville, Support the American Battlefield Protection Program Enhancement Act, Stop the Largest Rezoning in Orange County History, Nothing but God Almighty Can Save that Fort. Contact 623 W. Main St Lebanon, TN 37087 See Location Details Get Directions (615) 444-2265 ATM available. Gen. Lew Wallaceto retake their lost ground and then rides to the Union left to order an attack upon the Confederate works opposite Brig. I propose to move immediately upon your works. [21], On February 13, several small probing attacks were carried out against the Confederate defenses, essentially ignoring orders from Grant that no general engagement be provoked. Union losses were 2,691 (507 killed, 1,976 wounded, 208 captured/missing), Confederate 13,846 (327 killed, 1,127 wounded, 12,392 captured/missing). It covers an area roughly similar to the original river while at flood stage, as it was during the battle. The new fort was named in honor of the Confederate General Daniel S. Donelson[5] who, along with Colonel Bushrod Johnson of the Corps of Engineers, approved of the site. Buckner's position finally carried the meeting. Forrest's troops, sent out by Buckner, spotted a detachment from McClernand's division and opened fire against them. The decisive Union victory at Fort Donelson thrust Brig. 28488. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. To access Fort Heiman from the north/ Murray, KY: Follow signs for KY 121 S, and continue until you see the main sign for Fort Heiman, then follow the brown NPS signs for the site. Sign up for our quarterly email series highlighting the environmental benefits of battlefield preservation. Smith was now in a good position to move on the fort, having captured the outer lines of its fortifications, and was under orders to launch an attack with the support of other divisions the following day. Battle of Fort Henry in the Civil War - ThoughtCo The fort was captured by Union General Ulysses S. Grant and his army during a winter offensive to control of the Mississippi River. Wallace ordered the attack forward. This provided sufficient troops to extend McClernand's right flank to be anchored on Lick Creek, by moving Col. John McArthur's brigade of Smith's division from the reserve to a position from which they intended to plug the 400 yards (370m) gap at dawn the next morning. Construction was begun by a large force of men brought from the nearby Cumberland Iron Works.[6]. Fort Donelson was attacked by General U.S Grant and Flag Officer Andrew Foote, who surrounded the fort and captured it after a short siege. On February 6, Grant was ordered by General Henry Halleck to assault Fort Donelson immediately and capture it by February 8. Fort Donelson rose about 100 feet (30m) on approximately 100 acres of dry ground above the Cumberland River, which allowed for plunging fire against attacking gunboats, an advantage Fort Henry did not enjoy. With the arrival of Grant's army, General Johnston ordered Floyd to take any troops remaining in Clarksville to aid in the defense of Fort Donelson. Poor winter weather, late-arriving reinforcements . Please follow all speed limits. [37], Grant, who was apparently unaware of the battle, was notified by an aide and returned to his troops in the early afternoon. A stalemate had existed since the Southern victories at First Manassas and Wilson's Creek in the summer of 1861. [31], The attack was initially successful because of the inexperience and poor positioning of McClernand's troops and a flanking attack from the Confederate cavalry under Forrest. "[38], True to his nature, Grant did not panic at the Confederate assault. There was general agreement that Fort Donelson was probably untenable. [50] Buckner responded to Grant's demand: SIR:The distribution of the forces under my command, incident to an unexpected change of commanders, and the overwhelming force under your command, compel me, notwithstanding the brilliant success of the Confederate arms yesterday, to accept the ungenerous and unchivalrous terms which you propose. McClernand grumbled "This army wants a head." On Wikipedia. They were delayed most of the day by a cavalry screen commanded by Nathan Bedford Forrest. Grant reasons, correctly, that the Confederate right must be greatly reduced in strength given the heavy assault from the Confederate left. 2023, A&E Television Networks, LLC. Despite his misgivings about its defensibility, Johnston agreed to Beauregard's advice that he should reinforce Fort Donelson with another 12,000 men, knowing that a defeat there would mean the inevitable loss of Middle Tennessee and the vital manufacturing and arsenal city of Nashville. Floyd also believed that C. F. Smith's division was being heavily reinforced, so the entire Confederate force was ordered back inside the lines of Fort Donelson, giving up the ground they gained earlier that day. On August 25, 1863, a Confederate force attacked the fort and demanded surrender by Union troops. The Union army retreats, but inexplicably, ConfederateBrig. Buckner also turned over considerable military equipment and provisions, which Grant's troops badly needed. [12], Grant's Union Army of the Tennessee of the District of Cairo consisted of three divisions, commanded by Brig. Wallace assembled these new troops into a third division of two brigades, under Cols. At dawn on February 15, the Confederates launched an assault led by Pillow against McClernand's division on the unprotected right flank of the Union line. There are numerous veterans from later wars. In addition to visiting key parts of the battlefield, you can also see the historic Dover Hotel where General "Unconditional Surrender" Grant won fame, and the Fort Donelson National . Grant was not bluffing. The Battle of Fort Henry took place February 6, 1862, during the American Civil War (1861-1865) and was one of the first actions of Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant's campaign in Tennessee. He left his command without my authority and went to Nashville.I can get no returns, no reports, no information of any kind from him., McClellan took the bait, replying: Generals must observe discipline as well as private soldiers. Fort Donelson near Dover, Tennessee. Cook's brigade would be in support to the right and rear and act as a feint to draw fire away from Lauman's brigade. Smiths division captures large stretches of the earthworks before dark. Grants soldiers hear the Confederate cheers as the gunboats withdraw. The river landing community of Lineport, Tennessee, was considered before the area near Dover was finally selected. Confederate gunners waited until the gunboats were within 400 yards (370m) to return fire. CSS Robert E. Lee was a fast paddle-steamer, originally built as a Glasgow - Belfast packet boat named Giraffe, which was bought as a blockade runner for the Confederate States during the American Civil War, then subsequently served in the United States Navy as USS Fort Donelson and in the Chilean Navy as Concepcin . By 9:30a.m., as the lead Union brigades were falling back, Nathan Bedford Forrest urged Bushrod Johnson to launch an all-out attack on the disorganized troops. A. Soon after it was built by Confederate forces in 1862, Fort Donelson was captured by the Union Army under General Ulysses S. Grant, and .
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