What made Fort Donelson particularly vulnerable to capture?

History

Fort Donelson was a large earthen fort surrounded by a ring of smaller earthworks, which made it a much more difficult place for Grant to capture.

What caused the Battle of siege of Fort Donelson?

On February 13, one of Ulysses S. Grant’s (1822-85) officers, Brigadier General John McClernand (1812-1900), initiated the Battle of Fort Donelson when he tried unsuccessfully to capture a rebel battery along the fort’s outer works.

What happened during Fort Donelson?

The Union victory at Fort Donelson forced the Confederacy to give up southern Kentucky and much of Middle and West Tennessee. The Tennessee and Cumberland rivers, as well as railroads in the area, became vital Federal supply lines, and Nashville became a huge supply depot for the Union army in the west.

When was Fort Donelson captured?

February 1862

The Union Army of the Tennessee, commanded by Major General Ulysses S. Grant, who later became president captured the fort in February 1862 from the Confederate Army in the Battle of Fort Donelson.

What happened at Fort Henry and Donelson?

Importance of Battle of Fort Henry
In addition to marking the first major Union victory in the Civil War, the Battle of Fort Henry, along with the subsequent Union victory at the Battle of Fort Donelson, restored Western and middle Tennessee and most of Kentucky to the Union.

Who captured Fort Henry?

General Ulysses S. Grant

In February 1862, General Ulysses S. Grant, a native Ohioan, led a Union force that captured Fort Henry from the Confederacy. On February 4, 1862, Union warships transported soldiers under Grant’s command to Fort Henry. Located in Tennessee, Fort Henry guarded the Tennessee River.

What was the importance of Fort Henry and Donelson?

Located in central Tennessee, Forts Henry and Donelson guarded the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers with interconnecting roads and telegraph lines between the two Confederate fortifications. In the first week of February, 1862, General Ulysses Grant led a massive assault composed of more than 15,000 troops and gunships.

Who had the advantage in the Battle of Fort Donelson?

The Union forces arrived on February 12, 1862. The next day, a Union gunboat opened fire on the fort but did minimal damage to the structure. That evening additional ships and soldiers arrived, giving Grant an almost three-to-one advantage over the Confederate forces.



Who won Fort Henry Donelson?

Gen. Ulysses S. Grant

The Confederates were defeated at Mill Springs, Kentucky (January 19, 1862), and at the Battle of Fort Henry, in Tennessee (February 6). 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).

What did Grant do at Fort Donelson?

Grant decided to attack Fort Donelson to achieve his goal of capturing the Confederate stronghold of Nashville. To do this, Grant pushed for attacks against Fort Heiman and Fort Henry, which guarded the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers.

How many people died in Fort Donelson?

Aftermath. The casualties at Fort Donelson were heavy, primarily because of the large Confederate surrender. Union losses were 2,691 (507 killed, 1,



Who won Fort Henry Donelson?

Gen. Ulysses S. Grant

The Confederates were defeated at Mill Springs, Kentucky (January 19, 1862), and at the Battle of Fort Henry, in Tennessee (February 6). 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).

Why did the fall of Fort Donelson sent shock waves throughout the state?

Every cannon trained on the single boat and forced it to fall back with the remainder of the fleet. The gunboat attack had failed. The hills and hollows surrounding Fort Donelson echoed with Confederate shouts of victory. This news sent shock waves through the Union Army.

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