The importance of the Union's capture of forts Henry and Donelson cannot be over estimated. It began the concept of "unconditional surrender" as one theme of importance. The forts were captured in early 1862, which were the North's first set of major victories in the war. The loss of the forts were a stunning defeat for the South. Union General US Grant is given the credit for the victories. Among other things, it gave the North the initiative and caused the South's evacuation of the heavily fortified Southern positions in Columbus, Kentucky. The capture of these forts changed the entire situation of the war in the West.
The taking of Fort Donelson in February 1862 by the Union Army of the Tennessee (US Grant commanding) was significant for several reasons. First it was the first major victory for the Union, beginning the extraordinary ascendancy of Ulysses Grant. Secondly it secured the lower reaches of both the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers, opening the way for the occupation of Nashville. Third it cut off large numbers of Confederate forces from their supply lines and compelled the evacuation of Bowling Green Kentucky (as well as the aforementioned Nashville). Fourth was the surrendering of large numbers of prisoners, who although paroled and would eventually fight again, still had to give up their arms and had to be reequipped. The campaign also saw the beginning of successful cooperation between US Naval riverine forces and The Union Army which would be the hallmark of Grant's campaigns in the west leading to victories at Shiloh (Pittsburgh Landing), Vicksburg and Chattanooga.
For the Union to gain mastery of the Cumberland river, as a major military highway.
The battle was important because the highly-rated Confederate General Sidney Johnston had to retreat, and the unknown U.S. Grant came to notice when he coined the term 'Unconditional Surrender', which became his nickname.
The importance of the Union's capture of forts Henry and Donelson cannot be over estimated. It began the concept of "unconditional surrender" as one theme of importance. The forts were captured in early 1862, which were the North's first set of major victories in the war. The loss of the forts were a stunning defeat for the South. Union General US Grant is given the credit for the victories. Among other things, it gave the North the initiative and caused the South's evacuation of the heavily fortified Southern positions in Columbus, Kentucky. The capture of these forts changed the entire situation of the war in the West.
Under the direction of Union Major General Henry W. Halleck, General US Grant was ordered to capture the Confederate Fort Donelson. It was a joint naval and army operation. The fall of this fort secured the Union army's flank. Halleck was able to move troops along the Tennessee River as far as was possible.
The main significance of Fort Henry and Donelson is the fact that after both forts were defeated by Ulysses S. Grant. It helped to open up the west for attack by the Union.
General Ulysses S. Grant captured Fort Henry on the Tennessee River, then took Fort Donelson six days later
Fort Sumter was the first battle of the civil war. There were fires, but the only thing that died was a horse. No one from the Union or Confederate died.
Like so many other generals, political leaders and newspaper reporters, US Grant believed the war would be a short one. This was especially true for him after he had masterfully captured forts Henry and Donelson. Grant changed his mind after the Battle of Shiloh. He said that he never expected the South to last very long until Shiloh proved otherwise.
Forts Jackson and St. Philip were the forts that guarded the Southern City of New Orleans. The Union navy disabled the forts' artillery making the capture of New Orleans allot easier. This happened on April 18th to the 28th 1862.
The Confederate forts of Saint Philip and Jackson protected the Southern port City of New Orleans. These forts were shelled by Union Admiral Farragut and surrendered on April 28, 1862.
It was: "Unconditional Surrender" Grant.
Superior Navy
Fort Henry & Fort Donelson.
The Tennessee and Cumberland rivers, respectively. These were both important military highways for men and material.
Because they had been recently built as such. And Halleck's first order to Grant was to capture them. In the case of Donelson, Grant captured 15,000 Confederate prisoners.
On February 6, 1862 he captured Fort Henry and on Feb. 15, 1862, Fort Donelson.The fall of the two forts allowed the Union army to move up the Tennessee deep into Confederate territory.
In February of 1862, Confederate President Jefferson Davis blamed the loss of forts Henry and Donelson on a strategical error by himself. He admitted before the Confederate Congress that the strategy of trying to defend the entire South could not be effective. Strategies to prevent these types of losses would be more focused on key Confederate holdings and the renewed efforts of the military forces.
'Unconditional Surrender' Grant. That was how the 'S' got into his name. Later he decided it might as well stand for Simpson, his mother's family name.
General Ulysses S. Grant captured Fort Henry on the Tennessee River, then took Fort Donelson six days later
The often overlooked elements to the fall of Confederate Fort Henry was high water levels that hampered the effectiveness of the forts large cannons. Also, the credit for the fall of the fort lies with US Navy Officer Andrew Foote. Ironclads and gunboats wreaked havoc on the undermanned fort. Confederate Commander Albert S. Johnston was in charge of the Western Theater and was aware that Major General Henry Halleck would be sending Brigadier General US Grant to assault both forts Henry and Donelson.
Fort Sumter was the first battle of the civil war. There were fires, but the only thing that died was a horse. No one from the Union or Confederate died.
There were an estimate of 80 forts that were attacked during the Civil War.