The Battle of Fort Henry and Fort Donelson

The Battle of Fort Henry and Fort DonelsonBy Mickey OddenFort Henry: February 6, 1862Fort Donelson: February 16, 1862

The Battles Took place in western TennesseeFort Henry Battle OverviewFort HenryThe Union attacked an earthen confederate fort on the Tennessee River. It had outdated guns and the river was threatening to flood the fort. Brig. Gen. U.S. Grant attacked the fort with his soldiers split into two locations. Flag Officer A.H. Foote Also attacked the fort with seven gunboats. Confederate Brig. Gen. Lloyd Tilghman realized he should retreat the fort before it completely flooded. Brig. Gen. Tilghman troops retreated to Fort Donelson, another Confederate fort about ten miles away. The fort was claimed and the Union was victorious. Fort Donelson Battle OverviewFort DonelsonAfter the confederacy lost Fort Henry, The remaining soldiers retreated to Fort Donelson, a fort about ten miles away. Grants soldiers attacked the fort several times but with no great success. Flag Officer Foote tried to weaken the fort with naval gunfire from ironclads but they did little damage and retreated before being destroyed. Grants army surrounded the fort but the confederate soldiers launched a sneak attack trying to make a way to escape the fort. This did not work and Brig. Gen. Simon Bolivar Buckner agreed to unconditional surrender.The Importance of the BattlesThe Battle of Fort Henry and Donelson were important because they were the first major victory for the union. They also guaranteed that Nashville would be lost for the confederates. Battle StatisticsDeaths507327Wounded1,9761,127Captured20812,392Deaths4079UnionConfederateThe Battle of Fort DonelsonThe Battle of Fort HenryUnionConfederateMain Battle CommandersBrigadier General Ulysses S. Grant:

Flag Officer A.H. Foote:

Brigadier General Lloyd Tilghman:

An important general for the Union. He got the name Unconditional Surrender after the battle of Fort DonelsonA Union Flag Officer during the battle of Fort Donelson. He was in charge of ironclads that attacked the fort.Confederate General in Fort Donelson. Gave the order to retreat Fort Donelson.Fort Henry

Fort Donelson

Pictures of The Battle and the Battlefield