Fort Donelson

Fort Donelson (1861-1865) - A Confederate Army post established in 1861 during the U.S. Civil War on the Cumberland River in Stewart County, Tennessee. Named for Confederate General Daniel Donelson. Captured by Union Forces under General Ulysses S. Grant on 16 Feb 1862 in the Battle of Fort Donelson. Abandoned in 1865 at the end of the war.

File:Fort Donelson river battery (1).jpg Fort Donelson River Battery

Fort Donelson History

A 97 acre Confederate Army post established early in 1861 at the beginning of the U.S. Civil War. The post was located at a strategic bend on the Cumberland River.

Captured by Union Forces under General Ulysses S. Grant on 16 Feb 1862 in the Battle of Fort Donelson and remained in Union hands for the remainder of the war. Grant captured the fort after a four day siege and famously demanded "unconditional and immediate surrender" of the Fort commander, General Simon B. Buckner, who reluctantly complied. The fall of the fort was a major Union victory and Grant took between 12-15,000 prisoners. The Union lost some 5,000 killed and 450 missing. The victory opened up Tennessee and Kentucky to the Union.

Confederates forces attempted, unsuccessfully, to retake the fort in February 1863 and again in September 1863.

Abandoned in 1865 at the end of the war.

Current Status

Fort Donelson National Military Park, Stewart County, Tennessee. Restored earthworks fort.

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USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) Database Entry: 1308844

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Location: Fort Donelson National Military Park, Dover, Stewart County, Tennessee. Maps & Images Lat: 36.4931069 Long: -87.8550240 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 440'

Sources:

• Roberts, Robert B., Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States, Macmillan, New York, 1988, 10th printing, ISBN 0-02-926880-X, page 739-740

Links:

• North American Forts - Fort Donelson
• NPS - Fort Donelson
• Wikipedia - Fort Donelson
• Wikipedia - Fort Donelson National Battlefield
• Wikipedia - Battle of Fort Donelson

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