U.S. Department of the Interior National Battlefield

General at Fort Donelson, from the painting by Paul Philippoteaux. COURTFSV HISTORICAL SOCIETY From Henry to Donelson

Bells rang jubilantly throughout the North at the Confederate commander, that he could before the soldiers, plodding over muddy the news, but they were silent in Dixie. The not hold out for long. The plan called for the roads, could reach the vicinity. Less than a cause: the fall of Fort Donelson in February gunboats to engage the fort until the army hundred of the Confederate garrison surren­ 1862. It was the North's first major victory of could surround it. The bombardment raged dered, including Tilghman; the rest, almost the Civil War, opening the way into the very for more than an hour, with the ironclads tak­ 2,500 men, escaped to Fort Donelson, Grant's heart of the Confederacy. Just a month before, ing heavy blows and suffering many casualties. next objective, a dozen miles away on the the Confederates had seemed invincible. A Most of the casualties came after a Confeder­ . stalemate had existed since the Southern vic­ ate shell ruptured the boiler aboard Essex, tories at First Manassas and Wilson's Creek in scalding its commander and killing many of At Donelson the Confederates had a far strong­ the summer of 1861. Attempts to break the its crew. er position. Two river batteries, mounting Confederate defense line, which in the West some 12 heavy guns, effectively controlled the extended from southwest Missouri and the The poorly located fort, however, was no match Cumberland. An outer defense line, built large­ Indian Territory to the Appalachian Moun­ for the gunboats. To Grant's chagrin, the Con­ ly by reinforcements sent in after Fort Henry tains, had achieved little success. A reconnais­ federates evacuated Fort Heiman and the fell, stretched along high ground from Hick­ sance in January convinced the Union com­ ironclads pounded Fort Henry into submission man Creek on the right to the little town of mand that the most vulnerable places in the Dover. Within the fort Confederate infantry Confederacy's western line were Forts Henry and artillerymen huddled in the cabins against and Donelson, earthen works guarding the the winter. Aside from a measles epidemic, Tennessee and Cumberland rivers. they lived "quite comfortably," cooking their own meals, fighting snowball battles, working Fort Henry stood on land not particularly suit­ on the fortifications, drilling, and talking ed for forts. It was surrounded by higher ground about home—until the grim reality of war and subject to flooding. The Confederates had descended on them. begun a supporting work, Fort Heiman, on the bluffs across the river, but it was not yet com­ It took Grant longer than expected to start his pleted. A joint army/navy operation against D men toward Donelson. Several days passed Fort Henry had been agreed to by Flag Officer before Fort Henry was secure and his troops Andrew H. Foote and an obscure brigadier gen­ ready. He finally got underway on February 11. eral named Ulysses S. Grant. The attack was to When his soldiers stepped out briskly over the p take place in early February, using the Tennes­ rolling terrain, the weather had turned un­ see River for transport and supply. It would be Flag Officer Andrew H. Brig. Gen. Ulysses S. seasonably warm. Lacking discipline and lead­ the first test of Foote's ironclad gunboats. On Foote presided over Grant commanded the ership and believing that the temperature was naval operations on Military District of February 4, 1862, Grant began transporting typical of the South in February, many of the the upper Cairo at the time the his army south from Paducah, Ky., to Fort River and its tributaries Henry-Donelson cam­ soldiers cast aside their heavy winter gear—an Henry. He established a camp north of the fort and oversaw construc­ paign took place. Until act they would soon regret. The Confederates and spent two days preparing for the attack. tion of the nation's January 1862, when were so busy strengthening their position that first squadron of iron­ his plan to attack the they allowed Grant's army to march unchecked clad gunboats. His role Confederate river forts On February 6, while Grant's soldiers marched from Fort Henry to Fort Donelson. By February in the capture of Fort was approved, he had 13 some 15,000 Union troops nearly encircled overland from their camp downstream, Foote's Henry and in the joint fought only one bat­ gunboats slowly approached Fort Henry. These army/navy attack on tle, a brief and incon­ the outerworks of Fort Donelson. Sporadic clash­ included the newly constructed ironclads Cin­ Fort Donelson helped clusive engagement es broke out that day without either side gain­ cinnati, Carondolet, and St. Louis, as well as win him promotion to at Belmont, Mo., in ing ground. Nightfall brought bitter weather— the converted ironclad Essex. They opened a rear admiral. November 1861. lashing sleet and snow that caused great suf­ hot fire that quickly convinced , fering.

"No terms except an unconditional and immediate surrender can be accepted." Ulysses S. Grant, February 16, 1862 The

The morning of February 14 dawned cold and grudgingly retreating step by step. Just as it offer support. Although not officially recog­ quiet. Early in the afternoon a furious roar broke seemed the way was clear, the Southern troops nized as nurses, women such as Mary Ann the stillness, and the earth began to shake. were ordered to return to their entrench­ Bickerdyke cared for and comforted sick and Foote's Union gunboat fleet, consisting of the ments—a result of confusion and indecision wounded soldiers. caiaotaioieLouis, Pittsburgh, Louisville, and among the Confederate commanders. Grant Carondolet, and the timberclads Conestoga immediately launched a vigorous counterat­ With the capture of Fort Donelson and its sis­ and Tyler, had arrived from Fort Henry via the tack, retaking most of the lost ground and ter fort, Henry, the North had not only won Tennessee and rivers and were exchanging gaining new positions as well. The way of es­ its first great victory but gained a new hero— "iron valentines" with the 12 big guns in the cape was closed once more. "" Grant, who was Confederate river batteries. During this 90-minute promoted to major general. Subsequent victor­ duel, the Confederates wounded Foote and in­ Floyd and Pillow turned over command of ies at Shiloh, Vicksburg, and Chattanooga flicted such extensive damage upon the gun­ Fort Donelson to Buckner and slipped away to would lead to his appointment as lieutenant boats that they were forced to retreat. The Nashville with about 2,000 men. Others fol­ general and commander of all Union armies. hills and hollows echoed with cheers from the lowed cavalryman Col. And Robert E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox Southern soldiers. across swollen Lick Creek. That morning, Feb­ would help put Grant in the White House. ruary 16, Buckner asked Grant for terms of The Confederate generals—John Floyd, Gideon surrender. Grant's answer was short and direct: After the fall of Fort Donelson, the South was Pillow, Simon Buckner, and — "No terms except an unconditional and imme­ forced to give up southern and much also rejoiced; but sober reflection revealed diate surrender can be accepted." Buckner, of Middle and West Tennessee. The Tennessee another danger. Grant was receiving reinforce­ who considered Grant's demand "ungenerous and Cumberland rivers, and railroads in the ments daily and had extended his right flank and unchivalrous," surrendered. area, became vital Federal supply lines. Nash­ almost to Lick Creek to complete the encircle­ ville, a major rail hub and previously one of ment of the Southerners. If the Confederates Soon after the surrender, civilians and relief the most important Confederate arms manu­ did not move quickly, they would be starved agencies rushed to assist the . The facturing centers, was developed into a huge into submission. Accordingly, they massed their U.S. Sanitary Commission was one of the first supply depot for the western Union armies. troops against the Union right, hoping to clear to provide food, medical supplies, and hospi­ The heartland of the Confederacy was open, a route to Nashville and safety. The battle on tal ships to transport the wounded. Many and Federal forces would press on until the raged all morning, the Union army civilians came in search of loved ones or to Union became a fact once again.

John B. Floyd (top), politician turned gener­ al, took charge of Fort Donelson shortly before the siege began. As his situation grew more hopeless, he turned com­ mand over to Brig. Gen. o Gideon J. Pillow (center), and escaped upriver to Nashville. Floyd sought to avoid capture because he feared arrest in the North for allegedly transferring arms to southern arsenals while secretary of war in the Buchanan administra­ o tion. Pillow also chose o escape over capture and gave command to Brig. I Gen. Simon B. Buckner (bottom), West Point < graduate and former Q classmate of Grant's. Buckner, who came to 6 Fort Donelson early in 1862 with reinforce­ ments from Kentucky, s would stay and share => the fate of his men. Plan of Fort Donelson, from Atlas to Accompany the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Fort Donelson Today

Reconstructed Confederate Log Hut Dover Hotel EASTERN NATI0NAL

Lower River Battery JAMES P BAGSBY Confederate Monument JAMES P. BAGSBY Fort Donelson National Cemetery EASTERN NATIONAL

A Guide to the Park The following guide, keyed to the map below, highlights major park sites. ©Confederate Monument Confederate soldiers ing greater casualties) and fix bayonets. With as , Mass. Fort Donelson POWs suffered were hastily buried on the battlefield after the the Second Iowa Infantry spearheading the more from the northern climate than any surrender. The exact location of their graves is attack, Smith led the assault against the Con­ other hardship. In September 1862 most of unknown. This monument commemorates the federate lines on this ridge. Smith's the Fort Donelson prisoners were exchanged. Southern soldiers who fought and died at Fort captured and held the earthworks, controlling Donelson. The United Daughters of the Con­ this position on the night of the 15th. Before On two occasions, once in mid-1862 and again federacy erected the monument in 1933. the attack could be renewed the next morning, in February 1863, Confederate forces tried to Grant and Buckner were already discussing drive the Federal troops from the area. Both ©Fort Donelson Confederate soldiers and slaves terms for surrender. attempts failed; but the second, led by soldiers built this 15-acre earthen fort over a period under the command of Gens. of seven months, using axes and shovels to ©Union Camp This area became a Union camp and Nathan Bedford Forrest, cost the town its make a wall of logs and earth 10 feet high. following the success of Smith's attack. Dur­ future. That skirmish, known as the Battle of While a more permanent fort of brick or stone ing the night, while both sides strengthened Dover, resulted in the destruction of all but would have been more desirable, earthen their positions, surrender discussion began. four of the town's buildings. One of those to walls were much quicker to build. Properly White flags raised over Confederate positions survive was the Dover Hotel, which remained constructed earthworks can provide better at daybreak on February 16 saddened the Con­ in business until the 1930s. It has been restored protection than brick or stone. The fort's pur­ federates and created joy among the Federals. through the efforts of the Fort Donelson pose was to protect the Cumberland River Following the surrender, the Union troops House Historical Association and the National batteries from land attack. At the time of the camped here were given the honor of being Park Service. The exterior looks much the same battle, all trees within 200 yards of the fort the first to march into Fort Donelson. as it did when the surrender took place. were felled, clearing fields of fire and obser­ vation. The branches of these trees were sharp­ ©Graves' Battery Placed here to guard the In­ ©National Cemetery In 1863, after the Battle ened and laid around the outside of the fort dian Creek Valley, this six-gun battery saw of Dover, the Union garrison rebuilt its fortifi­ to form an obstacle called an abatis. more action when it moved in support of the cations. Diary accounts left by soldiers of the Confederate breakout attempt near the 83rd Regiment, stationed here after ©Log Huts Soldiers and slaves built more than Forge Road (see stop 9). the Battle of Fort Donelson, indicate how de­ 400 log huts as winter quarters for the sol­ manding soldiering could be. Besides working diers garrisoning and working on the fort. In ©French's Battery In conjunction with Maney's on the new fortifications, the garrison protect­ addition to government rations of flour, fresh Battery to the west, the four-gun battery em- ed the Union supply line. Soldiers frequently and cured meat, sugar, and coffee, every boat placed here was intended to prevent Union commented on the constant threat of attacks brought boxes from home filled with all kinds forces from attacking down Erin Hollow and by guerrilla parties. Sgt. Maj. Thomas J. Baugh of things a farm or store could provide. Off- penetrating the Fort Donelson perimeter. wrote in 1863 that the "rebels [had] been try­ duty soldiers from the local area hunted and ing to blockade the river" again. Pvt. Mitchel fished in the same locations they had fre­ ©Forge Road At daybreak on February 15, Pil­ Thompson, who was often detailed to repair quented just months before as civilians. Some­ low and Johnson's division, along with Col. Union telegraph lines, described the area as time after the surrender, Federals burned the Nathan B. Forrest's cavalry, attacked Gen. John being filled with "rebel bands of thieves and cabins because of a measles outbreak. A. McClernand's troops on the Union right robbers." flank in an attempt to secure an escape route. ©River Batteries The rivers were vital arteries The attack succeeded in briefly opening the Slaves began coming into the Union lines soon that flowed directly through the Confederate Forge Road as an avenue of escape but, due after the 1862 victory, seeking shelter, food, heartland. Transportation and supply routes to indecision and confusion among their com­ and protection. The issue of how to deal with depended heavily on these waterways. Both manders, the Confederate troops were or­ the large influx of slaves, still considered the upper river battery and the lower river dered to return to their entrenchments. The property by the slave owners and individual battery were armed with heavy seacoast artil­ Union soldiers were allowed to reoccupy the state laws, presented a problem for both the lery to defend the Cumberland River, the wa­ area the southerners had fought so hard to Union army and the Lincoln administration. In ter approach to major supply bases in Clarks- control. 1862 Grant chose to protect the slaves and ville and Nashville, Tenn. It was here that put them to work for the army. untested Confederate gunners defeated Flag ©Dover Hotel Built between 1851 and 1853, Officer Andrew Foote's flotilla of ironclad and this building accommodated riverboat travel­ Eventually freedmen camps were established timberclad gunboats. ers before and after the Civil War. General across Tennessee, and it is estimated that ap­ Buckner and his staff used the hotel as their proximately 300 slaves wintered at Fort Donel­ Using the same tactics that were successful at headquarters during the battle. It also served son in 1864. The army employed men as Fort Henry, Foote brought his gunboats very as a Union hospital after the surrender. After laborers and teamsters, while women com­ close, hoping to shell the batteries into sub­ Buckner accepted Grant's surrender terms, the monly served as cooks and laundresses. In mission. Instead the slow-moving vessels be­ two generals met here to work out the details. 1863 the Union army also began recruiting came excellent targets for the Confederate , the first Union general to reach free blacks from Tennessee and Kentucky. guns, which seriously damaged the gunboats the hotel following the surrender, did not and wounded many sailors. Foote, who was want his men to gloat over the Confederate Soon after the war, this site was selected for one of those wounded in the exchange, later situation. He instructed Capt. Frederick Knef- the establishment of the Fort Donelson Na­ told a newspaper reporter that he had taken ler, one of his officers, to tell the brigade com­ tional Cemetery, and the remains of 670 Union part in numerous engagements with forts and manders "to move the whole line forward, soldiers were reinterred here. These soldiers ships "but never was under so severe a fire and take possession of persons and property had been buried on the battlefield, in local before." The roar of this land-naval battle . . . [but] not a word of taunt—no cheering." cemeteries, in hospital cemeteries, and in was heard 35 miles away. nearby towns. The large number of unknown An estimated 13,000 Confederate soldiers were soldiers—512—can be attributed to haste in ©Smith's Attack Grant correctly concluded that loaded onto transports to begin their journey cleaning up the battlefield and to the fact for the Confederates to hit so hard on the to Northern prisoner-of-war camps. Neither that Civil War soldiers did not carry govern­ right, they must have weakened their line the Union nor Confederate governments was ment-issued identification. Today the national somewhere else. Seizing the initiative, he told prepared to care for the large influx of pris­ cemetery contains both Civil War veterans and General Smith to "take Fort Donelson." Smith oners. The Fort Donelson prisoners were incar­ veterans who have served the had his troops uncap their guns (so the men cerated in hastily converted and ill-prepared since that time. Many spouses and dependent would not be tempted to stop and fire, risk­ sites in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and as far away children are also buried here.

About Your Visit Fort Donelson is one end at the visitor cen­ For Your Safety Hikers Do not walk or stand use. Hunting is prohib­ America's communities, mile west of Dover, ter. Guides to natural using park roads should on rock walls, cannons, ited. Picnic in desig­ visit www.nps.gov. Tenn., and three miles and historical features walk facing traffic and or earthen mounds. Be nated areas only. Relic east of Land Between along the trails are bikers should ride in alert to uneven ground hunting and/or use of More Information the Lakes on U.S. 79. available. Please re­ the direction of traffic surfaces. metal detectors is pro­ Superintendent The visitor center is main on the trails. Be in single file. hibited. And please Fort Donelson Nation­ normally open from 8 alert for poison ivy, Regulations Build fires don't walk on earth­ al Battlefield a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. poisonous snakes, ticks, Drivers should observe only in the picnic area works. P.O. Box 434 stinging insects, and speed limits and park (grills only). Pets must Dover, TN 37058-0434 Trails Fort Donelson spider webs. Do not only in pull-offs. Keep always be physically re­ Fort Donelson is one 931-232-5706 has two principal trails: disturb or remove any close watch over your strained and are not al­ of more than 380 parks www.nps.gov/fodo vegetation. Be pre­ children. Use caution lowed in buildings. Obey GPOA005 -3JO-J94/00353 Reprint 2005 the three-mile River Cir­ in the National Park Prinled on intyrlnd p.rpnr cle Trail and the four- pared for strenuous when near the river traffic signs. Guns and System. To learn about mile Donelson Trail. walking in some areas. and on trail bridges, other weapons must be parks and National Park Both trails begin and which can be slippery. packed to prevent their Service programs in