Fort Donelson

Fort Donelson , Confederate fortification in the Civil War, on the Cumberland River at Dover, Tenn., commanding the river approach to Nashville, Tenn. After capturing Fort Henry, on the Tennessee River (Feb. 6, 1862), General Ulysses S. Grant, on Feb. 12, marched his men 12 mi (19 km) to Fort Donelson, which he proceeded to invest. Although assisted by gunboats, his army was repulsed by the Confederates. The Confederates were thrown back by the Union forces on the next day, after attempting to retreat. The fort fell on Feb. 16, opening the way for the advance on Nashville. Fort Donelson National Battlefield and National Cemetery is there (see National Parks and Monuments , table).

Fort Donelson a fort on the Cumberland River near Dover, Tennessee. Fort Donelson was the site of a Civil War battle on February 14, 1862, between Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's 15,000 troops and 13,000 Confederates under Simon Bolivar Buckner. Nathan Bedford Forrest managed to escape the fort before it was surrendered, along with supplies and 500 men. The Union lost nearly 2,500 men, while Confederate losses were estimated at over 1,400.

Fort Donelson see Fort Donelson .