Definition
The Battle of Fort Donelson was fought between the United States of America and the Confederate States of America from February 12 to February 16, 1862, during the American Civil War.
Quick Facts
- Date Started: The Battle of Fort Donelson started on Wednesday, February 12, 1862.
- Date Ended: The fighting ended on Sunday, February 16, 1862.
- Location: The battle took place in Stewart County, Tennessee around Fort Donelson.
- Who Won: The United States of America won the Battle of Fort Donelson.
- Civil War Campaign: The Battle of Fort Donelson was part of the Federal Penetration Up the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers.
This illustration depicts fighting at the Battle of Fort Donelson. Image Source: Library of Congress.
Interesting Facts
- Ulysses S. Grant’s terms for the surrender of Fort Donelson earned him the nickname, “Unconditional Surrender” Grant.
- Ulysses S. Grant’s capture of Fort Donelson, along with the previous capture of Fort Henry, were the first significant Union victories in the war.
Commanders and Forces Involved
Principal Union Commanders
- Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant
- Flag-Officer A.H. Foote
Principal Confederate Commanders
- Brigadier General John B. Floyd
- Brigadier General Gideon Pillow
- Brigadier General Simon B. Buckner
Union Forces Engaged
- Army of the Tennessee
- Western Flotilla
Confederate Forces Engaged
- Army of Central Kentucky
- Fort Henry Garrison
Casualties and Statistics
Number of Union Soldiers Engaged
- Roughly 25,000
Number of Confederate Soldiers Engaged
- Roughly 16,000
Estimated Union Casualties
- 2,691 (killed, wounded, and missing/captured).
- 507 Union soldiers were killed at the Battle of Fort Donelson.
Estimated Confederate Casualties
- 13,846 casualties (killed, wounded, and missing/captured).
- 327 Confederate soldiers were killed at the Battle of Fort Donelson.
Results of the Battle of Fort Donelson
- The outcome of the battle was a Union victory.
- Ulysses S. Grant’s capture of Fort Donelson, along with the previous capture of Fort Henry, opened two great rivers as avenues of invasion to the heartland of the South.
- After the capture of Fort Donelson, Ulysses S. Grant was promoted to major general of volunteers, second in seniority only to Henry W. Halleck in the West.
Timeline of the Battle of Fort Donelson
This list shows the main battles and events that took place before and after the Battle of Fort Donelson, and how it fits into the chronological order of the Federal Penetration Up the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers.
- February 6, 1862 — Battle of Fort Henry
- February 12–16, 1862 — Battle of Fort Donelson
- April 6–7, 1862 — Battle of Shiloh
- April 29–May 30, 1862 — Siege of Corinth