Fall of Fort Donolsen: Grant Wins His Spurs

During early 1862, General Ulysses S. Grant came up with a plan to drive Albert Sydney Johnston and his Army of Tennesse out of his army's namesake state. It required an attack on Forts Henry and Donolsen. Grant packed up 27,000 men and marched them south, striking for Fort Henry first. The Union River Fleet got there first, and leveled the fort to the ground. Grant never even got his army on the scene. But, since Grant was the mastermind behind the operation, he got the fame and glory. Grant, seeing the way open, struck next towards Donolsen. Once again, the fleet got there first. But, they weren't able to elevate their guns enough to strike the fort. So, Grant got up to the fort, and settled down for a siege. The Confederates commanding the fort decided to cut thier way out. So, they struck for a small gap, and burst open a gaping hole to freedom. Then, suddenly, they fell back, thus effecetivly closing the gap. Why did they do so? I don't know. Don't ask me. Floyd and Buckner (two of the three generals at the fort) bailed out, fleeing the responsibility of surrendering, and left thier comrade to do the honors. This is cowardly. Nothing more can be said. Nothing in thier defense. But, they weren't the only ones to leave. Bedford Forrest followed after them with about a thousand cavalry.