Abraham Lincoln papers 1 From Abraham Lincoln to Henry W. Halleck [Draft] , February 16, 1862 1 Fort Donelson in Tennessee fell unconditionally to Ulysses Grant early on February 16, giving the Union its first decisive victory in the West. In exultation but also some apprehension, Lincoln here displays his early passion for military detail by counseling Halleck, in command at St. Louis, about what threats faced him next, and what next moves he ought to make. He also urges joint action on the part of Halleck and Don Carlos Buell, in command at Louisville, as he had done previously. See Lincoln to Buell, January 6, 1862, January 7, 1862, January 13, 1862. Executive Mansion, Washington, Feb. 16, 1862 You have Fort Donelson safe, unless Grant shall be overwhelmed from outside, to prevent which latter will, I think, require all the vigilence, energy, and skill of yourself & Buell, acting in full co- 2 operation. Columbus will not get at Grant, but the the force from Bowling-Green will— They hold the Railroad from Bowling-Green to within a few miles of Donelson, with the Bridge at Clarksburg 3 undisturbed— It is unsafe to rely that they will not dare to expose Nashville to Buell. A small part of their force can retreat slowly towards Nashville, breaking up the Railroad as they go, and keep Buell out of that City twenty days— Mean time Nashville will be abundently defended by forces from 4 all South & perhaps from here at Manassas— Could not a cavalry force from Gen. Thomas on the upper Cumberland, dash across, almost unresisted, at and cut the Railroad at or near Knoxville, Tenn.? In the midst of a bombardment at Donnelson, why could not a Gun-boat run up and destroy the Bridge at Clarksburg? Our success or failure at Donnelson is vastly important; and I beg you to put your soul in the effort— I send a copy to Buell— 2 Confederate forces at Columbus and Bowling Green, Kentucky. 3 Don Carlos Buell, Union general in command at Louisville. 4 Union Brigadier General George H. Thomas had been serving in Kentucky. A. Lincoln Abraham Lincoln papers http://www.loc.gov/resource/mal.1455200.