| Battle Name: |
Fort Donelson |
| Other Names: |
None |
| State: |
Tennessee |
| Location: |
Stewart County |
| Campaign: |
Federal Penetration up the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers (1862) |
| Dates: |
February 11-16, 1862 |
| Principal Commanders: |
Brig. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and Flag-Officer A.H. Foote [US]; Brig. Gen. John B. Floyd,
Brig. Gen. Gideon Pillow, and Brig. Gen. Simon B. Buckner [CS] |
| Forces Engaged: |
Army in the Field [US]; Fort Donelson Garrison [CS] |
| Estimated Casualties: |
17,398 total (US 2,331; CS 15,067) |
| Description: |
After capturing Fort Henry on February 6, 1862, Brig. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant advanced
cross-country to invest Fort Donelson. On February 16, 1862, after the failure of their all-out attack aimed at
breaking through Grant’s investment lines, the fort’s 12,000-man garrison surrendered unconditionally. This was a
major victory for Brig. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and a catastrophe for the South. It ensured that Kentucky would
stay in the Union and opened up Tennessee for a Northern advance along the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers.
Grant received a promotion to major general for his victory and attained stature in the Western Theater, earning
the nom de guerre "Unconditional Surrender." |
| Results: |
Union victory |