Battle of Fort Donelson

Dates:

February 13-16, 1862

Location:

Stewart County, Tennessee.

Key Individuals Involved in the Battle of Fort Donelson:

Union: Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant
Confederate: Brigadier General Simon P. Buckner

Brief Overview of the Battle :

The Union troops, hoping to make inroads into the heart of the confederacy along the Tennessee River were gathering troops under Ulysses S. Grant around Fort Donelson. To avoid starvation, the Confederate troops began an all-out attack against the Union forces in order to gain a route to safety. However, they were defeated and in the end General Buckner and the fort’s 12,000 men surrendered unconditionally.

Outcome:

Victory for the Union forces. 17,398 casualties. Of those, 15,067 were Confederate soldiers.

Significance of the Battle of Fort Donelson:

The Battle of Fort Donelson was a very important victory for the North. The fall of this heavily fortified fort on the Tennessee River was deep in the heart of the confederacy. It ensured that Kentucky would stay with the Union. It was also here that U.S. Grant earned his nickname “Unconditional Surrender” and his promotion to Major General. When Confederate commander Buckner asked for surrender terms and Grant responded that, “No terms except unconditional and immediate surrender can be accepted.”