Word: donelson
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: all
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...with 17,000 men, aided by Commodore Foote with seven gun-boats, swooped down on Foote with seven gun-boats, swooped down on Fort Henry. The surprise was complete. Gillman, who commanded the fort, saw he could not hold out, and sending most of his garrison to reinforce Fort Donelson, he surrendered...
Vigorous as ever, Grant hurried on to take the opportunity and capture Fort Donelson as well; but the roads were bad, and he took several days on the way. At length, on Feb. 12, 1862, he appeared before this second stronghold. The fort was built on a bluff near the Cumberland river, and protected behind by a series of ridges, separated by mashes and creeks. John Floyd and Pillow, in command, had a force of 18,000, quite equal to Grant's, but they seem to have been paralyzed. They did nothing whatever to hinder the Union advance, and Grant...