Battle of Fort Donelson

 

Abraham Lincoln

Short Summary of the Battle of Fort Donelson
Short Summary: The Battle of Fort Donelson
was fought on February 14-16, 1862 by the Union Army led by General Ulysses S. Grant supported by the navy led by Commodore Andrew Foote. The Confederate garrison of Fort Donelson was commanded by General Simon Bolivar Buckner. This horrific Civil War battle was fought in Tennessee between 24,000 Union soldiers and 16,000 Confederate troops. The Battle of Fort Donelson was a victory for the Union. At the end of the battle the Union losses were 2,331 and the Confederate losses amounted to a massive 15,067.

Battle of Fort Donelson
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th American President who served in office from March 4, 1861 to April 15, 1865. One of the important battlefields in the Civil War was the Battle of Fort Donelson.

     

Facts about the Battle of Fort Donelson
The main battles of the Civil War were
divided into two principal theaters in which the major military operations took place. The Battle of Fort Donelson was fought in Tennessee in the Western theater. The Western Theater of war comprised of the area west of the Appalachians and east of the Mississippi River. It was extremely important for the Confederacy to defend the Mississippi, Tennessee, and Cumberland Rivers because each of these rivers provided opportunity for a Union invasion.

Facts about the Battle of Fort Donelson and Fort Henry
Fort Henry and Fort Donelson were the two forts which the Confederates had built to keep the Union gunboats from invading the western part of the Confederacy. Fort Henry was located on low ground by the Tennessee River. Fort Donelson was built on the Cumberland River on a high bluff near Dover, Tennessee.  

Civil War BattlegroundsCivil War Theater Map - Civil War Battlegrounds

Facts about the Battle of Fort Donelson
On February 6 1862 the Confederate garrison, Fort Henry, fell almost immediately to the greater forces of the Union. Over 2000 Confederate soldiers escaped the surrender and set off to join their comrades at Fort Donelson, which was only 12 miles away. Fort Donelson was under the command of General Simon Bolivar Buckner and the garrison was situated deep in the heart of the Confederacy. Fort Donelson was on high ground overlooking the Cumberland River and was defended by a series of trenches and some heavy artillery including ten 32-pounder smoothbore cannons. The Confederates were faced with a siege by the troops of General Grant. Fighting was fierce but on  February 14, 1862 the Union received massive reinforcements. The soldiers under General Lew Wallace arrived from Fort Henry. Then Commodore Andrew Foote arrived, bringing six gunboats and another 10,000 Union reinforcements on 12 naval transport ships.

Facts about the Battle of Fort Donelson: "Unconditional Surrender Grant"
The Confederate defense crumpled against the huge Union opposition. General Simon Buckner was forced to asked for the terms of surrender. "No terms except unconditional and immediate surrender can be accepted," replied Ulysses Grant, and General Buckner had no option but to agree.

Significance of the Battle of Fort Donelson
With the fall of Fort Henry on February 6 and Fort Donelson on February 14-16, 1862, the lower Tennessee and the lower Cumberland were opened to the military forces of the Union.

Facts about the Battle of Fort Donelson
The following short fact sheet provides interesting facts and information about the Battle of Fort Donelson, one of the major battles that was fought during the American Civil War
(April 12, 1861 and continued until May 10, 1865).

Battle of Fort Donelson: FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions for kids)

Facts for KidsQuestions and Answers
Battle of Fort Donelson Fact 1Q. Where was the Battle of Fort Donelson fought?
A. It was fought
between
 
Battle of Fort Donelson Fact 2Q. When was the Battle of Fort Donelson fought?
It was fought
between February 14-16, 1862, just after the surrender of Fort Henry
 
Battle of Fort Donelson Fact 3Q. Who won the Battle of Fort Donelson?
A. The
battle was won by the Union forces
 
Battle of Fort Donelson Fact 4Q. Who were the generals and leaders?
A. The Confederate generals were General Simon Bolivar Buckner, John Floyd, Gideon Pillow and Bushrod Johnson the Union General was Ulysses S. Grant
 
Battle of Fort Donelson Fact 5Q. How many men fought in the Battle of Fort Donelson?
A. The strength of the Union force was 24,000. The number of Confederate soldiers totaled 16,000.

Battle of Fort Donelson: FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions for kids)

Battle of Fort Donelson
The info about the Battle of Fort Donelson provides interesting facts and important information about this important Civil War conflict that occured during the presidency of the 16th President of the United States of America.

 

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Battle of Fort Donelson: FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions for kids)

Facts for KidsQuestions and Answers
Battle of Fort Donelson Fact 6Q. How many Union casualties were there?
A. The number of Union losses were 2,331: Number Killed 446, Number Wounded 1,735, Number Missing 150
 
Battle of Fort Donelson Fact 7Q. How many Confederate casualties were there?
A.
The total Confederate losses were 15,067
 
Battle of Fort Donelson Fact 8Q. Why was the Battle of Fort Donelson important?
A. It was
strategically significant because the Union victory opened the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers to the Union forces. The Confederacy was also forced to give up southern Kentucky and much of Middle and West Tennessee
 
Battle of Fort Donelson Fact 9Q. Were there ironclad warships in the Union fleet?
A. The gunboat fleet of Commodore Andrew H. Foote's Union included the Ironclads called St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Louisville, and Carondolet
 
Battle of Fort Donelson Fact 10Q. Who was the hero of the battle?
A.
General Ulysses S. Grant was the hero and later gained further recognition at the Civil War battles of Shiloh, Vicksburg, and Chattanooga

Battle of Fort Donelson: FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions for kids)

Battle of Fort Donelson - President Abraham Lincoln Video
The article on the Battle of Fort Donelson provides an overview of one of the major events of his presidential term in office. The following Abraham Lincoln video will give you additional important facts and dates about the political events experienced by the 16th American President whose presidency spanned from March 4, 1861 to April 15, 1865.

 

 

 

Battle of Fort Donelson
 
Interesting Facts about Battle of Fort Donelson for kids and schools
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The battle that started the Civil War, a major event in US history
Abraham Lincoln Presidency from March 4, 1861 to April 15, 1865
Fast facts and info about major events in his presidency
Foreign & Domestic policies of President Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln Presidency and Battle of Fort Donelson for schools, homework, kids and children

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