Fort Donelson was an important Confederate fortification on the Cumberland. After the capture of Port Henry, on the Tennessee, on February the 6th, 1862, General Ulysses Simpson Grant moved his forces over to the Cumberland and attacked Fort Donelson. The Federal gunboats were driven off at first, but Ulysses Simpson Grant's land forces attacked the fort in such numbers and with such vigour that surrender became necessary. Ulysses Simpson Grant, in a memorable letter, demanded its unconditional surrender of General Buckner, who commanded it after the flight of Floyd and Gideon Pillow. 15000 Confederates were made prisoners by this victory, and the fall of Nashville and Columbus became inevitable. An attempt to recapture this place from the Federals was made on February the 15th, 1863, by Wheeler, leading 4500 of Bragg's Confederate army. The garrison of the fort was 600 Federals under Harding. Wheeler demanded a surrender, but Harding replied by sending out skirmishers to delay an attack while he sent for aid to Fort Henry. In the evening the gunboat 'Fair Play', Lieutenant Fitch, came up the river, and the Confederates withdrew. Research Battle of Fort Donelson
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Warfare
Research Battle of Fort Donelson