fort donelson who won the war

Wallace assembled these new troops into a third division of two brigades, under Cols. Believing the fort was untenable, they decided that Pillow should lead a breakout attempt the next day and began shifting troops. During the night of February 15 and 16, Confederate leaders discussed their options. 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]. Updates? Smiths division surged forward and overwhelmed the lone Confederate regiment occupying the rifle pits in advance of the Confederate line. Despite his reluctance to proceed before adequate reconnaissance, by 3:00p.m. Foote moved his gunboats in close to the shore and opened fire, just as he had done at Fort Henry. To his dismay, Grant showed no mercy towards men he considered to be rebelling against the Federal government. There are numerous veterans from later wars. published in Harper's Weekly, 1862. Newsletter Grant's operations against Fort Donelson lasted from February 11 to February 16, 1862. [21], As soon as Foote arrived, Grant urged him to attack the forts river batteries. Thisline engraving is based on a sketch by Alexander Simplot later published in Harper's Weekly in 1862. "The Battle of Fort Donelson." Harris ambition to protect the largest artery for commerce and communication in his dominion left him blind to the holes in his planning. Nevin, p. 82; Gott, pp. 86-87; Gott, pp. Fort Donelson was a fortress built early in 1862 by the Confederacy during the American Civil War to control the Cumberland River, which led to the heart of Tennessee, and thereby the Confederacy. On the morning of February 16, Buckner sent Grant a note requesting terms of surrender. The capture of Paducah solidified a line of advance down the Cumberland River and provided an excellent vantage point for the Western Flotilla to observe the enemy fortifications and prepare to break through their line of defense at its center. The 800-man garrison, under the command of Colonel Abner C. Harding, was in and about the town of Dover where they had chosen camps that commanded the area and had dug rifle pits and battery emplacements. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). [20], Also on February 14, General Lew Wallaces brigade arrived from Fort Henry around noon and Footes flotilla arrived, bringing six gunboats and another 10,000 Union reinforcements on twelve transport ships. Confederate General Albert Sidney Johnston dispatched four generals and rushed 18,000 troops to meet the Union forces commanded by General Ulysses S. Grant, who were marching from Fort Henry, and a Union gunboat flotilla steaming downriver under the command of Commodore Andrew Foote. On February 16, 1862, a Union force under Ulysses S. Grant captured a Confederate fortress here. Foote continued to command the Western Flotilla until May 1862 despite the injury to his foot received during the bombardment of Fort Donelson. It was fought from February 11 to February 16, 1862 and established General Ulysses S. Grant as a major figure of The Civil War Storming forward, Smith's men succeeded in gaining a foothold in the Confederate lines while Wallace reclaimed much of the ground lost in the morning. Age of Discovery The Confederate artillery fired until seven of their 11 guns were rendered useless. Cooling, pp. Confederate Secretary of War Leroy P. Walker wrote to Harris with the confidence that Tennessee would soon join the Confederacy. Show your pride in battlefield preservation by shopping in our store. 194-203; Cooling, p. 29; Woodworth, p. 96. Gen.Simon Bolivar Buckner(later Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky), who agreed to accept theunconditional surrender terms offered by Grant. Welles bowed to pressure from Major General John C. Fremont and replaced Rodgers with a more senior officer. Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant was becoming quite famous as he wrote these words following the surrender of Confederate Fort Donelson on Sunday, February 16, 1862. The general was a nephew of Andrew and Rachel, Cumberland Iron Works was one of the many iron ore furnaces in, Fort Donelson Confederate order of battle, U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Fort Donelson National Battlefield, U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Fort Donelson National Cemetery, NPS.gov: official Fort Donelson National Battlefield website, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fort_Donelson_National_Battlefield&oldid=1148911152, This page was last edited on 9 April 2023, at 01:26. 22 (1890), 280. Contributions Gens. Gen.John A. McClernand, who had some reservations. Fort Donelson National Battlefield (U.S. National Park Service) [4] Edward McCaul, To Retain Command of the Mississippi: The Civil War Naval Campaign for Memphis (Knoxville: University of Tennessee Press, 2014), 11. The two officers had a bit of a rocky start with arguments centered around the sharing of resources, but they at least agreed on the need for coordinated movements against the enemy. Despite his misgivings about its defensibility, Johnston agreed to advice from Beauregard 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. Unfortunately for Foote, the batteries at Fort Donelson were better emplaced, and therefore had a more effective field of fire. Grants soldiers could hear the Confederate cheers as the gunboats withdrew. ThoughtCo, Apr. Jacob LaumanandJohn Cook) to test the defenses along his front. The capture of forts Henry and Donelson in Tennessee were major victories for Ulysses S. Grant. The cause: the fall of Fort Donelson in February 1862. 2 in the western theater, with Polk acting as his subordinate. Nevertheless, Grant was determined to move on to Fort Donelson. (Washington: Government Printing Office, . Grant reasoned, correctly, that the Confederate right must be greatly reduced in strength given the heavy assault from the Confederate left. The day after the loss of Fort Henry, the Confederate commander in the West (General Albert Sidney Johnston) called a council of war to determine their next step. The U.S. Navy gunboats outgunned the fort and Tilgman knew that he would not be able to hold it. 84-86; Gott, p. 192; Cooling, pp. [40]This army was the first of three Confederate armies that Grant would capture during the war. Gen. John B. Floyd as the commander of Fort Donelson and the surrounding region. About 2,500 of theConfederatedefenders at Fort Henry escaped before the surrender, marching the 12 miles (19km) east to Fort Donelson. Hickman, Kennedy. Left to right: Tyler,Conestoga, Carondelet, Pittsburg, Louisville, and St. Louis. Nevin, p. 93; Gott, pp. The high waters in the spring of 1862 continued to allow the flotilla to ascend the rivers to Nashville, but there was no further advance in February. Every purchase supports the mission. TN Gen.Gideon J. Pillow(Grants opponent at his first battle,Belmont), who had been displaced from overall command of the fort when the more-senior Floyd arrived. The Federals sent out a pursuit but to no avail. Sons of Liberty Battle of Fort Henry - Britannica 86-88. After a confrontation between the two generals, Buckners troops moved out and, combined with the right flank of Pillows wing, hit W.H.L. [10] The high water of the spring months was ideal for this campaign as the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers could only be navigated by small steamers throughout most of the year. Gen. Gideon Pillow ordered the attacking force back to their earthworks, thereby abandoning the hard-fought gains of the morning. McClernands right flank, facing Pillow, had insufficient men to reach overflowing Lick Creek, so was left unanchored. [26] He arrived to find the town deserted. Map of Fort Donelson. 12-13; Esposito, text for map 26. The Union was now poised to seize both Fort Donelson and its river batteries when light returned the next morning. The park was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1966. On the Union left, C.F. On 2 February, Footes expedition departed from Cairo. [16] Despite these efforts, the timberclad contingent successfully captured three steamersSallie Wood,Muscle, and Eastport. I propose to move immediately upon your works. This was probably the wars first demand for unconditional surrender; although Buckner was appalled, he saw no option but to quit. His background was political, not military, but he was nevertheless the senior brigadier general on the Cumberland. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/battle-of-fort-donelson-2360911. USSLouisvillewas also disabled andPittsburgbegan to take on water. (Although the name was not yet in use, the troops serving under Grant were the nucleus of the UnionsArmy of the Tennessee. [1], In late January 1863, Confederate Maj. Gen. Joseph Wheeler, commanding two brigades of cavalry, took position on the Cumberland River at Palmyra to disrupt Union shipping. They were delayed most of the day by a cavalry screen commanded by Nathan Bedford Forrest. The following day the Confederates had a fleeting chance to turn the battle in their favour, but poor coordination among their generals, as well as vague instructions from Johnston, conspired to cheat them of the opportunity. They had pushed the Union defenders back one to two miles (23km) and had opened their escape route. The site of the battle has been preserved by the National Park Service asFort Donelson National Battlefield. The next day, several small, probing attacks were launched to determine the strength of the Confederate works. Mariners Museum and Park Museum. There were three miles (5km) of trenches in a semicircle around the fort and the small town of Dover. The army transports followed, carrying most of the 15,000 soldiers. After a series of changes in command for personal reasons, Floyd and Pillow left with their aides in the night. Grant realized that any success at Donelson would have to be carried by the army without strong naval support, and he wired Halleck that he might have to resort to asiege. Heavy rains delayed this march, and the same rain that bogged down the land forces aided the gunboats in arriving at their destination ahead of their land complement. [25], The attack was primarily successful because of the poor positioning of McClernands troops, and aflanking attackby sometimes-dismounted Confederate cavalry under Forrest. The fort was named after Confederate general Daniel S. Donelson. [6], Johnston decided upon a course of action that forfeited the initiative across most of his defensive line, tacitly admitting that the Confederate defensive strategy for Tennessee was a sham. In April 1861, Harris began planning for the defense of his state as if the state legislature had already voted in favor of secession. However, confusion reigned as no one Union leader was in command on the field. He was more concerned about the threat from Buell than he was from Grant, suspecting the river operations might simply be a diversion. Richard OglesbyandJohn McArthurwere hit hardest; they withdrew in a generally orderly manner to the rear for regrouping and resupply. Wallaces old brigade from Smiths Division, now commanded by Col.Morgan L. Smith, was chosen to lead the attack. Kati Engel, NHHC Communication and Outreach Division, Riverine Warfare: The US Navy's Operations on Inland Waters, Forts Heiman, Henry, and Donelson | American Battlefield Trust (battlefields.org), History & Culture National Park Service: Civil War Series (nps.gov). The local population in western and central Kentucky was pro-Confederate. Gen.Ulysses S. Grantfrom an obscure and largely unproven leader to the rank ofmajor general, earning him the nickname Unconditional Surrender Grant in the process (using his first two initials, U.S.). The Confederate offensive stopped around 12:30p.m., when Col. Thayers Union troops formed a defensive line on a ridge astride Wynns Ferry Road. 28-29; Woodworth, p. 94. Ulysses S. Grant, February 16, 1862 The morning of February 14 dawned cold and quiet. Buckner, however, argued that they were in a desperate position that was getting worse as Union reinforcements were arriving. Harris assured Walker of his loyalty to the Confederate cause and promised the fulfillment of Walkers request. Floyd was a wanted man in the North for alleged graft and secessionist activities when he wasSecretary of Warin the administration of PresidentJames Buchanan. [6] Within three months of his arrival in Cairo, Rodgers established a small flotilla of converted riverboats on the Mississippi. After reaching Florence, the timberclads were recalled north to support the attack on Fort Donelson. Grant's operations against Fort Donelson lasted from February 11 to February 16, 1862. Federal Identification Number (EIN): 54-1426643. In December 1861, Secretary of the Navy Stephen Mallory did begin planning for the construction and conversion of vessels to establish a fleet on the Mississippi River. As he rode back from the river, he heard the sounds of guns and sent word back to Foote to start a demonstration of naval gunfire, assuming that his troops would be demoralized and could use the encouragement. Smiths two-brigade counterattack quickly succeeded in seizing the outer line of entrenchments on the Confederate right, where the 30th Tennessee, commanded by Col. John W. Head, had been left behind from Buckners division. Stewart County, TN | Feb 13 - 16, 1862 The decisive Union victory at Fort Donelson thrust Brig. This is a line engraving based on a drawing by Commander Henry Walke, of Carondelet. His brusque reply became one of the most famous quotes of the war, earning Grant the nickname of Unconditional Surrender:[36], Grant was not bluffing. 174 National Cemetery Drive (The army of formerquartermasterUlysses S. Grant had not yet learned to organize supply lines effectively, and extra ammunition was not immediately available to these front-line brigades.) [28] Foote was frustrated with this distraction from the movement toward Nashville. Johnston evacuated Nashville on February 23, surrendering this important industrial center to the Union; it was the first Confederate state capital to fall. Realizing that the Confederates were attempting to escape rather than seeking a battlefield victory, he immediately prepared to launch a counterattack. Gen.John B. Floyd, launched a surprise attack against Grants army, attempting to open an avenue of escape. Because of the proximity of the enemy lines and the active sharpshooters, the soldiers could not light campfires for warmth or cooking, and both sides were miserable that night, many having arrived without blankets or overcoats. The size of this department had grown since June. Nevin, David, and the Editors of Time-Life Books. The Battle of Dover, also known as the Second Battle of Fort Donelson, was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on February 3, 1863, in Stewart County, Tennessee. 1897 drawing of Grants attack, depicting C.F. Floyd left the next morning on the only steamer available, taking his two regiments of Virginia infantry. Kennedy Hickman is a historian, museum director, and curator who specializes in military and naval history. Since Kentucky had declared neutrality, the Confederacy could not build defensive works within the state without risking alienating the local population. Prior to leaving, he instructed his commanders not to initiate a general engagement but failed to designate a second-in-command. It will never be removed.[25] After the surrender of Fort Donelson, Foote returned to Cairo to carry out repairs and to prepare for what he expected to be a continuation of the campaign on the Cumberland river. After discussions with General P.G.T. The Battle of Dover, also known as the Second Battle of Fort Donelson, was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on February 3, 1863, in Stewart County, Tennessee. Grants army was now between ConfederateGen.Albert Sidney Johnstons two main forces (P.G.T. The defenses along the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers were neglected compared to those on the Mississippi river. From a total of 500 Confederate shots,St. Louiswas hit 59 times,Carondelet54,Louisville36, andPittsburg20. Fort Donelson - HistoryNet The trenches, located on a commanding ridge and fronted by denseabatis, backed up by artillery, were manned by Buckner and his Bowling Green troops on the right (with his flank anchored on Hickman Creek) and Johnson/Pillow on the left (with his flank near the Cumberland River). No formal records were taken of the Confederates who surrendered and estimates vary. [13], TheWestern Flotillaunder U.S. Navy Flag Officer Andrew H. Foote consisted of fourironcladgunboats (flagshipUSSSt. Louis,USSCarondelet,USSLouisville, andUSSPittsburg) and three wooden (timberclad) gunboats (USSConestoga,USSTyler, andUSSLexington). Grant famously replied: This curt response earned Grant the nickname "Unconditional Surrender" Grant. 93-94. The battle of Fort Donelson took place shortly after the battle ofFort Henry, Tennessee, February 6, 1862, in which Grant and Foote captured the fort and opened the Tennessee River for future Union movements. When the Union gunboats arrived the next day, they met determined fire from shore batteries that severely damaged the flotilla and left Footes flagship a shambles. Tennessee was now vulnerable. McPherson, p. 402: 12,000 to 13,000. Gott, pp. General McClellan gave orders to ready gunboats for a demonstration at Columbus on the Mississippi River. In September, Captain Andrew H. Foote arrived to take command of the new Western Flotilla. [22], Eight Union sailors were killed and 44 wounded while the Confederates lost none; Captain Joseph Dixon of the river batteries had been killed the previous day duringCarondelets bombardment. A second messenger arrived at Wallaces headquarters in tears, crying Our right flank is turned! Battles It was in this attack that Union troops in the West first heard the famous, unnervingrebel yell. PO Box 434 [5] John McMurray Lansden,A History of the City of Cairo, Illinois(Chicago, IL:R. R. Donnelley & Sons,1910), 1301. Buckners defeatism finally carried the meeting. 16-17, 173, 180. A few days later, he left Cairo, aboard Conestoga, for an armed reconnaissance along the Cumberland. Learning the Art of Joint Operations: Ulysses S. Grant and the U.S. Navy. Joint Force Quarterly 97. But inexplicably Confederate Brig. The American Battlefield Trust is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant was determined to move quickly onto the much larger Fort Donelson, located on the nearby Cumberland River. The battle was bloody: the South lost 1,500 to 3,500 men; Union losses were 500 killed and 2,100 wounded. The rest of Johnstons forces were 200 miles (320km) apart between Nashville and Columbus with Grants army between them, now controlling all the rivers and railroads. Despite many disagreements, it was determined that surrender was the only viable option for the garrison. Bushrod JohnsonandSimon Bolivar Buckner. Soon after, Buckner acceded to these terms, surrendering Fort Donelson and its garrison. Brigadier General John McClernands division attempted to reform their lines, but the ongoing Rebel attacks continued to drive his forces to the southeast. Nevin, pp. The final position on the Tennessee River was not the one that the engineers had selected. It was . They were followed by Forrest and 700 of his men, who waded through the shallows to avoid Union troops.
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