Fort Henry was a strongpoint in Tennessee. It was captured on February the 6th, 1862, by the Federals, Commodore Foote and General Ulysses Simpson Grant, commanding seven Union gunboats and a land force of 17,000. Fort Henry and Fort Heiman, a neighbouring Confederate stronghold, were held by General Tilghman with 2734 men. Heiman was early abandoned. Foote was to reduce Fort Henry and Ulysses Simpson Grant to cut off the retreat of the garrison. The Union gunboats commenced firing at six thousand yards, gradually nearing the fort. Tilghman held out bravely, but the bursting of a twenty-four-pounder gun, wounding many of his men, forced him to surrender his staff and himself. By his orders Colonel Heiman had been directed to attempt a retreat with the main body of the garrison. This move was accomplished through Ulysses Simpson Grant's late arrival, owing to recent floods. Research Fort Henry
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