fort donelson who won

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When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Get HISTORYs most fascinating stories delivered to your inbox three times a week. Enjoy some of the documents written about this battlefield at this site: Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. In the middle of the afternoon, Johnston rode forward to direct the Confederate attack and was struck in the leg by a bullet, severing an artery and causing him to quickly bleed to death. Stay up-to-date on our FREE educational resources & professional development opportunities, all designed to support your work teaching American history. 327 Confederate soldiers were killed at the Battle of Fort Donelson. Fought in February 1862 for five days in Tennessee, the battle resulted in some 800 people killed on both sides. Grant decided to attack Fort Donelson to achieve his goal of capturing the Confederate stronghold of Nashville. Shiloh: Pittsburg Landing. Subsequent victories at Shiloh, Vicksburg, and Chattanooga would lead to his appointment as lieutenant general and commander of all Union Armies. We strive for accuracy and fairness. At this stage neither side wanted war. In the early dawn of April 6, a Yankee patrol found the Confederates poised for battle just a mile from the main Union army. The defeat was devastating to the Confederates, which allowed the Union to enter Kentucky and occupy central Tennessee. With another Union attack poised to strike, the Federal soldiers were surprised to see white flags flying above the Confederate earthworks. Realizing that his position in Kentucky was compromised, he began withdrawing to positions south of the Cumberland River. Nashville was developed into a huge supply depot for the Union army in the west. The site is owned, operated, and funded by R.Squared Communications, LLC. The subsequent duel between Footes Pook Turtles and the heavier guns at the fort led to a Union defeat. The Union capture of the Confederate fort near the Tennessee - Kentucky border opened the Cumberland River, an important avenue for the invasion of the South. More disastrously, a Rebel force of about 18,000 was defeated by Union troops under Gen. Ulysses S. Grant at the Battle of Fort Donelson (February 13-16). His provisions would be exhausted by mid-April. More than 13,000 of Grants and Buells approximately 62,000 troops were killed, wounded, captured or missing. That night, believing the situation hopeless, Floyd and Pillow turned command over to Buckner and departed the fort by water. The battle was bloody: the South lost 1,500 to 3,500 men; Union losses were 500 killed and 2,100 wounded. The battle began on February 13 as Grants soldiers prodded Confederate lines; this early action suggested the ensuing battle would be costly. Andrew H. Foote's Union gunboat fleet, consisting of the ironclads St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Louisville, and Carondolet, and the timberclads Conestoga and Tyler, had arrived from Fort Henry via the Tennessee and Ohio Rivers and were exchanging "iron valentines" with the eleven big guns in the Southern water batteries. Soon after the surrender, civilians and relief agencies rushed to assist the Union Army. Did you know? Robert E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox would send Grant to the White House. Casualties and losses. This success opened the Tennessee River to Union shipping. Park Histories | Park History Program (nps.gov) Grant's boast that he would capture Donelson by the 8th of February quickly ran into challenges. Smith. Ulysses S. Grants terms for the surrender of Fort Donelson earned him the nickname, Unconditional Surrender Grant. Buchanan refused this request. Gen. John B. Floyd as the commander of Fort Donelson and the surrounding region. Battle of Shiloh. Meanwhile, his commissioners in Washington requested the recall of the Federal troops from Charleston. Both Confederate and Union soldiers fought furiously on the morning of February 15; the Union Army grudgingly retreated by the afternoon. HistoryNet.com contains daily features, photo galleries and over 25,000 articles originally published in our nine magazines. Lincoln and the leaders of the Republican Party refused to accept the adjustments that the Southerners demanded. Finally reinforced by a brigade from Wallace's division, the Union right began to stabilize. The Union won the battle. 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. Of 45,000 Confederates engaged, there were more than 10,000 casualties. Battle of Fort Donelson: The Battle of Fort Donelson was a five-day clash in February of 1862 during the Civil War. Refusing to give up, Grant pressed the need for a success to Brigadier General C.F. After Fort Henry fell to Union forces on February 6, 1862, Fort Donelson stood as a lone sentry protecting important Southern agricultural lands and the city of Nashville, the capital of Tennessee and a munitions centre. The Union army was driven back two miles, but it did not break. Grant ordered a flotilla to travel along the Cumberland River and attack Fort Donelson from the east. Famous Figures in American Military History Quiz, https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-Fort-Sumter, National Park Service - Battle of Fort Sumter, April 1861, American History Central - The Battle of Fort Sumter The First Battle of the American Civil War, HistoryNet - Battle of Fort Sumter: Facts, Dates, and Information. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! Believing the fort was untenable, they decided that Pillow should lead a breakout attempt the next day and began shifting troops. The chances for a complete Confederate victory diminished as troops from General Buells army began arriving, and Grants command on the battlefield shored up the sagging Union line. A peace conference, called by Virginia, also met in Washington and suggested amendments to the Constitution that would satisfy Southern grievances. 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. The Confederates mounted a determined attack using artillery fire with great skill, but were repulsed with heavy losses. Read the postwar accounts of the many of the Civil War battles in Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, New York: The Century Company, 1887-1888. Ulysses S. Grants capture of Fort Donelson, along with the previous capture of Fort Henry, opened two great rivers as avenues of invasion to the heartland of the South. If you would like to know more, please contact us. Attacking McClernand's men on the Union right, Floyd's plan called for Pillow's men to open a gap while Buckner's division protected their rear. Among the best first-hand accounts from the American Civil War is the Official Records of the War of Rebellion. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. TN At the fort, the command was held by Brigadier General John B. Floyd. Grant ordered McClernand and Brig. 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. Today, it stands as a reminder of the Civil War and Tennessee's . Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. By 12:30, the Confederate advance was stopped by a strong Union position astride Wynn's Ferry Road. The capture of the fort would be a key victory for the Union and would clear the way to Nashville. Floyd and Pillow turned over command of Fort Donelson to Buckner and slipped away to Nashville with about 2,000 men. By nightfall, the Union had driven the Confederates back to Shiloh Church, recapturing grisly, blood-soaked reminders of the previous days battle such as the Hornets Nest, the Peach Orchard and Bloody Pond. Grant reasoned, correctly, that the Confederate right must be greatly reduced in strength given the heavy assault from the Confederate left. These losses led to massive retreats by the . Although 3,000 Confederates managed to escape, the defeat demoralized Southern society; citizens in Nashville rioted, Southern hopes of help from England diminished, Johnstons reputation was destroyed, and the Union now owned a deep wedge into the Southern lines. A: February 6, 1862. This fact sheet provides a quick overview of the battle and is for kids doing research and students preparing for the AP U.S. History (APUSH) exam. February 13, 1862 - February 16, 1862. The morning of February 14 dawned cold and quiet. Grant earned his nickname "Unconditional Surrender" because of his actions and reply to the Confederates in the Battle of Fort Donelson. The regiment included 1,000 Nebraskans, about 10% of Nebraska's military-age men at the time. Arriving off Fort Donelson, U.S.S. Grant was receiving reinforcements daily and had extended his right flank almost to Lick Creek to complete the encirclement of the Southerners. Fort Donelson, on the Cumberland River, and Fort Henry, on the Tennessee River, guarded the positions where those rivers bisected Confederate lines. He sent Gen. P.G.T. Create your account View this answer The Battle of Fort Donelson was a decisive victory for the Union Army. The United States Army began building Fort Sumter on an artificial island at the entrance to Charleston Harbor in 1829. The Odyssey of Ulysses explores the saga of U. S. Grant from his first battle to his final resting place. The Battle of Fort Donelson was fought between the United States of America and the Confederate States of America from February 12 to February 16, 1862, during the American Civil War. 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. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Within days of the surrender, Clarksville and Nashville would fall into Union hands. Welcome from the Park Superintendent. Many of Footes ironclads were heavily damaged and Foote himself was wounded in the attack. The Union was forced to retreat following an attack on its right flank and center. Estimated Casualties: 17,398 total (US 2,331; CS 15,067) Description: After capturing Fort Henry on February 6, 1862, Brig. The battle took place from February 11 until February 16, 1862. Without attempting negotiation, their governors seized all the forts and arsenals in their respective states except Fort Pickens in the harbour of Pensacola, Florida. Sign up to receive the latest information on the American Battlefield Trust's efforts to blaze The Liberty Trail in South Carolina. U.S. War Department, Corps of Engineers. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant advanced cross-country to invest Fort Donelson. Coming on the heels of taking Fort Henry, the Union was then able to capture Fort Donelson. Artillery regiment was the first of as many as 850,000 Americans who would perish before the cessation of hostilities. This list shows the main battles and events that took place before and after the Battle of Fort Donelson, and how it fits into the chronological order of the Federal Penetration Up the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers. The Battle of Fort Donelson was an early battle in the American Civil War (1861-1865). Who Won? The First Nebraska stood its ground as Confederate soldiers tried to make an outbreak. The battlefield, located in Dover, TN, was the site of the famous Battle of Fort Donelson that took place on February 11-16, 1862. History is who we are and why we are the way we are.. It is the mission of Fort Donelson National Battlefield to protect the historic resources associated with the Civil War battle, to convey the significance of these events in the continuum of history, to provide a setting for contemplation and reverence, and to inspire in the community and nation a commitment to preserve these places for future generations. Others followed cavalryman Lt. He turned over about 15,000 men, 20,000 rifles, 48 pieces of artillery, 17 heavy guns, about 3,000 horses, and large commissary stores. Floyd and Pillow turned over command of Fort Donelson to Buckner and slipped away to Nashville with about 2,000 men. Soon after the election of Abraham Lincoln in November 1860, the state of South Carolina called a convention that passed an ordinance of secession (December 20, 1860), and Gov. The fort was named for Thomas Sumter, a general who had won key victories against the British in the Carolinas during the American Revolution. Delegates from the seceding states met at Montgomery, Alabama, organized the Confederate States of America, and set up a provisional government with Jefferson Davis as president. HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate. At first, the Union was overwhelmed by the power of the forts defending forces and the Confederates were able to advance. Throughout the day, the Confederates battered the Union troops, driving them back towards Pittsburgh Landing and threatening to trap them against the Tennessee River. The victory made Grant a national hero. Image Source: Library of Congress. A: Tennessee River. Brigadier General Simon B. Buckner, now in command, met with Grant to determine the terms of surrender. Hickman, Kennedy. Smith on the left, and the new arrivals in the center. Grant replied, No terms except unconditional and immediate surrender can be accepted. 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. Nearly 17,000 Confederate soldiers, combined with improved artillery positions and earthworks convinced the inept Floyd that a hasty retreat was unnecessary. His 1862 triumphs at Fort Henry and Fort Donelson in western Tennessee won him the nickname "Unconditional Surrender" Grant, and placed him before the public eye. American Battlefield Trust.Battle of Shiloh. It occurred at Fort Donelson, Tennessee, along the Cumberland River. Taking advantage of the Confederate indecisiveness, Grant ordered Smith to attack the left, while Wallace moved forward on the right. On the 50th round of the 100-gun salute, an explosion occurred, causing the only death of the engagement. Nearby, a monument and the Fort Donelson National Cemetery commemorate the fallen soldiers of the battle and the Dover Hotel preserves the site where Grant accepted the surrender of General Buckner. Gen. Winfield Scott, the presidents chief military adviser, urged evacuation on military grounds. 800. By 1862, Grant was a brigadier-general commanding over 27,000 troops. Join us online July 24-26! He was praised by President Lincoln, who was frustrated by the relative inaction of other Union generals. Experience the site of one of the most important battles of the Civil War at Fort Donelson National Battlefield. [1] Traveling over 12 miles of frozen roads, the Union troops moved out on February 12 but were delayed by a Confederate cavalry screen led by Colonel Nathan Bedford Forrest. Prior to leaving, he instructed his commanders not to initiate a general engagement but failed to designate a second-in-command. Pushing south into Tennessee with assistance from Flag Officer Andrew Foote's gunboats, Union troops under Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant captured Fort Henry on February 6, 1862. 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. Pillow ordered his men to advance on the Union. Nearly 14,000 Confederate soldiers were killed, wounded, or missing, compared to less than 3,000 for the Union. By 1862, Grant was a brigadier-general commanding over 27,000 troops. One version is available here: #3 - The War of the Rebellion: a compilation of the official ser.1:v.7. This article was most recently revised and updated by, 9 Questions About the American Civil War Answered, Famous Figures in American Military History Quiz. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. With the arrival of troops led by Brigadier General Lew Wallace, Grant placed the division of Brigadier General John McClernand on the right, Brigadier General C.F. Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grants terms for the surrender of Fort Donelson earned him the nickname, Unconditional Surrender Grant. However, when a surprise attack by Confederate forces at the Battle of Shiloh yielded devastating casualties during the first day's fighting, President Abraham Lincoln received several demands for Grant's removal from command. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant into the national spotlight and enabled Union advances up the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers. Updated: September 13, 2022 | Original: November 9, 2009. On February 11, Johnston appointed Brig. Gen. Gideon Pillow ordered the attacking force back to their earthworks, thereby abandoning the hard-fought gains of the morning. The fort was named after Confederate general Daniel S. Donelson. Although Fort Sumter held no strategic value to the Northit was unfinished and its guns faced the sea rather than Confederate shore batteriesit held enormous value as a symbol of the Union. This illustration depicts fighting at the Battle of Fort Donelson. The cost of the victory was high. At Fort Henry, Grant held a council of war (his last of the Civil War) and resolved to attack Fort Donelson. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Lambecker and James Birdeye McPherson. Grants objective was Corinth, a vital rail center near the Tennessee border that, if captured, would give the Union total control of the region. Second Corps, Army of Tennessee. Ulysses S. Grant set out to capture the forts in early 1862 and by February 16, 1862. . After Union forces captured these forts . Image Source: Wikipedia. Disaster loomed for the Union army. On the morning of February 16, Buckner sent Grant a note requesting terms of surrender. As Grant marched overland, Foote shifted his four ironclads and three "timberclads" to Cumberland River. Friends before the war, Buckner was hoping to receive generous terms. The Confederate leaders ready acceptance of Lincolns challenge may have been due to a fear that without a collision the ardour of the Southern people, many of whom had opposed secession, might abate. 2,691 (killed, wounded, and missing/captured). Hickman, Kennedy. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/battle-of-fort-donelson-2360911. To do this, Grant pushed for attacks against Fort Heiman and Fort Henry, which guarded the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers. The Federals, however, apprised of Wheeler's intent, refrained from sending any boats up or downriver. The Battle of Fort Donelson was one of the early battles of the Civil War. While Grant contemplated an extended siege, the Confederate leadership devised a bold plan to mass their troops against the Union right to force open a path of escape. Dates: February 11-16, 1862 Battle of Fort Sumter, (April 1214, 1861), the opening engagement of the American Civil War, at the entrance to the harbour of Charleston, South Carolina. Gen. Lew Wallace to retake their lost ground and then rode to the Union left to order an attack upon the Confederate works opposite Brig. On February 15, the Confederates tried to break through the Union perimeter. Buckner, who was hoping for generous terms from his old West Point friend, was disappointed at Grants response: No terms except unconditional and immediate surrender can be accepted. Grant's operations against Fort Donelson lasted from February 11 to February 16, 1862. The heartland of the Confederacy was opened, and the Federals would press on until the "Union" became a fact once more. The Confederate government then assumed control of the negotiations about Sumter. The Odyssey of Ulysses. The day after Beauregard reached Charleston, Lincoln was inaugurated in Washington, D.C. (March 4). Even with these defections, more than 13,000 Confederate soldiers remained in the fort. Our FREE Virtual Teacher Institute is the can't miss online educator event of the summer. It was fought in Tennessee, a Confederate state that had strategic importance for both the Union and Confederate sides. The Union victory at Fort Donelson elated the North, and stunned the South. Fort Donelson. https://www.thoughtco.com/battle-of-fort-donelson-2360911 (accessed July 17, 2023). Sometimes forcing they surrendered and leading to subsequent surrender of Fort Donelson. Generals Floyd and Pillow abandoned their men and fled across the river, while Lt. Col. Nathan Bedford Forrest, disgusted with the Confederate decision to surrender, took his cavalrymen and escaped down the Charlotte Road. Accordingly, they massed their troops against the Union right, hoping to clear a route to Nashville and safety. General US Grant won the Battle at Fort Donelson in early 1862. If the Federal flag should be fired upon, that would constitute a casus belli, and the responsibility for beginning the war would rest on the Confederates. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. The American Civil War is one of the most studied and dissected events in our historybut what you don't know may surprise you. Kennedy Hickman is a historian, museum director, and curator who specializes in military and naval history. Battle of Fort Donelson Facts, Details, and Timeline, Battle of Fort Donelson, Civil War Facts for Kids, Social Studies Resources, APUSH Study Material, George Forsyths Eyewitness Account of Robert E. Lees Surrender at Appomattox Court House, Abraham Lincoln, a Sance at the White House, and a Visit from the Spirits of Henry Knox and Stephen Douglas, The True Story of How General Stephen Weed Died at the Weikert House During the Battle of Gettysburg, Longstreet at Gettysburg on Day 1, Disputing the Lost Cause, The True Story of Joe Hookers African Spies at Fredericksburg During the Civil War. I will do it, replied Smith. Kennedy Hickman Updated on January 19, 2020 The Battle of Fort Donelson was an early battle in the American Civil War (1861-1865). Hickman, Kennedy. Omissions? However, it was too late in the day to begin. On February 16 Southern General Simon B. Buckner asked for an armistice and surrender terms from his old friend Grant. [1], The Confederates set out for Dover and began an attack between 1 and 2 p.m., on February 3. The South hoped to force Lincolns hand over Sumter. The following morning, Grant departed before dawn to meet with Foote. Free Social Studies worksheets, Games and Projects. The hills and hollows echoed with cheers from the southern soldiers. 931-232-5706. When the U.S. troops marched out of the fort, they waved the U.S. flag and carried out a gun salute. Casualties: Union: 2,600 | Confederate: 13,800, Fort Donelson Summary: The Battle of Fort Donelson involved the capture of Ft. Donelson, Tennessee and provided access to the Cumberland River as a means of invading the Confederacy. On December 26, 1860, Maj. Robert Anderson, commanding officer of the Federal garrison at Charleston, secretly transferred his two weak companies from Fort Moultriewhich was located on a peninsula on the east side of the harbour and was untenable against a land attackto Fort Sumter in the mouth of the harbour. General Ulysses S. Grant scored major victories at Forts Henry and Donelson in February, forcing Confederate General Albert Sidney Johnston to gather the scattered Rebel forces at Corinth, Mississippi. Subscribe to receive our weekly newsletter with top stories from master historians. This was disastrous for the Confederates, who were unable to keep the Union out of Kentucky and Tennessee. Although he did not inform Anderson, Lincoln gave Pickens precise information regarding his intention. In the fort, Floyd had rescheduled the breakout attempt for that morning. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest denounced Wheeler, a favorite of Gen. Braxton Bragg, saying he would not serve under him again. These volumes were an attempt to collect all the official reports, communications, and more from the War. 2023, A&E Television Networks, LLC. American History Central is an independent encyclopedia of American history. Grant's operations against Fort Donelson lasted from February 11 to February 16, 1862. The Battle of Fort Donelson was the end of a very successful campaign through Tennessee. While not routed, McClernand's situation was desperate as his men were running low on ammunition. But inexplicably Confederate Brig. Despite many disagreements, it was determined that surrender was the only viable option for the garrison. He used the combination of Union gunboats and his army to force the fort to surrender. The whole U.S. Army numbered only about 17,000 men, most of whom were scattered in small posts on the Western frontier, whence they could not be hastily withdrawn. Union General Ulysses S. Grant first won his first Civil War victory at Fort Donelson in February 1862, earning the nickname "Unconditional Surrender." Formerly enslaved African Americans flocked to the fort after the victory, and the site is now part of the Park Service's Underground Railroad Network to . Beauregard, American Civil War: Battle of Harpers Ferry, American Civil War: Battle of Fort Pulaski, American Civil War: Major General John B. Gordon, M.S., Information and Library Science, Drexel University, B.A., History and Political Science, Pennsylvania State University. The American Battlefield Trust and our members have saved more than 57,000 acres in 25 states! It was fought from February 11 to February 16, 1862 and established General Ulysses S. Grant as a major figure of The Civil War, [cat totalposts=21 category=1111 excerpt=true order=desc orderby=post_date], History is a guide to navigation in perilous times. After discussions with General P.G.T. Smiths division surged forward and overwhelmed the lone Confederate regiment occupying the rifle pits in advance of the Confederate line. Grant immediately launched a vigorous counterattack, retaking most of the lost ground and gaining new positions as well. Daviss inauguration took place on February 18. February 11-16, 1862 Decision in the Heartland The Civil War in the West The western campaigns cost the Confederacy vast territories, the manufacturing of Nashville, the financial center of New Orleans, communication hub Corinth, Chattanooga, and Atlanta, along with the breadbasket of the Confederacy. The fighting ended at nightfall and Grant planned to resume the attack in the morning. Updates? However, confusion reigned as no one Union leader was in command on the field. He became the highest ranking general on either side killed during the war. Though their escape route was open, Pillow ordered his men back to their trenches to re-supply before departing.
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