The Battle of Fort Donelson


The Gun-Boat Attack of the Water Batteries at Fort Donelson
[Courtesy of The Department of the Navy, Navy Historical Center http://history.navy.mil]

The Battle of Fort Donelson was fought from February 11 to February 16, 1862, in the Western Theater of the American Civil War. The capture of the fort by Union forces opened the Cumberland River as an avenue of invasion of the South and elevated Brig. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant from an obscure and largely unproven leader to the rank of major general, earning him the nickname "Unconditional Surrender" Grant in the process. The battle followed the capture of Fort Henry on February 6. Grant moved his army 12 miles overland to Fort Donelson on February 12 through February 13 and conducted several small probing attacks. On February 14, U.S. Navy gunboats under Flag Officer Andrew H. Foote attempted to reduce the fort with naval gunfire, but were forced to withdraw after sustaining heavy damage from Donelson's water batteries. On February 15, with their fort surrounded, the Confederates, commanded by Brig. Gen. John B. Floyd, launched a surprise attack against Grant's army, attempting to open an avenue of escape. Grant, who was away from the battlefield at the start of the attack, arrived to rally his men and counterattack. Despite achieving a partial success, Floyd lost his nerve and recalled his men back into their entrenchments. On the morning of February 16, Floyd and his second-in-command, Brig. Gen. Gideon J. Pillow, both turned over their command to Brig. Gen. Simon Bolivar Buckner, who agreed to unconditional surrender terms from Grant. Nearly 1,000 soldiers on both sides had been killed, with about 3,000 wounded still on the field; some froze to death in the snowstorm, many Union soldiers having thrown away their blankets and coats. Union losses were 2,691 (507 killed, 1,976 wounded, 208 captured/missing), Confederate 13,846 (327 killed, 1,127 wounded, 12,392 captured/missing) Over 7,000 Confederate prisoners of war were eventually transported from Fort Donelson to Camp Douglas in Chicago; others were sent elsewhere throughout the North. Buckner was held as a Union prisoner until he was exchanged in August. The capture of Forts Henry and Donelson were the first significant Union victories in the war and opened two great rivers as avenues of invasion to the heartland of the South. The site of the battle has been preserved by the National Park Service as Fort Donelson National Battlefield The main unit of the park, in Dover, Tennessee, commemorates the Battle of Fort Donelson. Fort Heiman in nearby Calloway County, Kentucky, was a Confederate battery in the Battle of Fort Henry. Fort Donelson National Cemetery, at 15.34 acres, contains 670 Union dead, reinterred in 1867. There are also numerous veterans from later wars. [Various sources, including wikipedia.org, nps.gov, newspaper accounts of the time] There were many Illinois and Indiana soldiers in this battle. View Indiana Casualties Illinois Casualties Following are the names of the Illinois casualties as reported in the New York Times on March 3, 1862: Eighth Illinois Regiment Company A Killed - 7 Michael Mathews Geo. J. Leach Robt. F. Harvey William I. Jefferson Andrew Jones Benj. Jones Hezekiah Whitaker Wounded - 21; Second Lieut. Benj. F. Monroe, Wm. A. Bullard, Chas Henderson, S.D. Bullington, Wm. C, Dunnivan, Jas. S. Easton, Wm. W. Estes, Andrew J. Flory, Jno. F. Greer, James Hudson, Joseph Hess, Ernest Hotz, Wm. Hatchett, J.H. Kinkleman, J.C. McDaniels, Chas. Mosher, Ellis Markell, R.F. Paine, H.B. Stevenson, J.H. Bacon, W.F. Pope Company B. Killed - 6 Second Lieut. H.J. Marsh Jacob Kibler, John W. Priest, G.W. Gardenhier, Fred. Miller, Amos Dunham Wounded - 14 First Lieut. John M. Lowery, Benj. F. Snow, Charles Albert, Chris. Kreps, John C. Seiter, John M. Beck, Andrew Mills, Jacob Lankenman, Joshua Jamison, Dayton Dunham, Jacob Groosh, Wm. Becker, Thos. McGorrey, Henry Wardner Company C Killed - 6 John Racord, Chas. Cox, Colby Turner, John Sutherland, John F. Balch, John Eskew Wounded - 24 James Campbell, Sterling Eaton, Harmon D. Lewis, Wm. Little, J. Bailsbeck, Levi Linder, E.S. Carr, A. Turner, E.M, Kellogg, F.D, Plew, G. Potter, G. Boyd, W.S. Kelley, H. Bensley, G. Swinford, I. Hamilton, J.H. Camp, W.B. Camp, G. Wright, R. Rosey, J. Lazanby, J. Carr, W. Ferguson, B. Roseburgh Company D. Killed - 3 (sic) A.M. Robinson, Henry Loss, A.H. Austin, John Cotton Wounded - 19 Alexander Connover, James P. Campbell, W.H. Kent, Curtiss M. Scott, David Carson, Willson Large, J.F. Lewis, Perry McClannahan, Daniel Osborn, Herbert Reed, James Freeman, Wm. Hogue, Thos. Dever, Henry Davis, John Bullard, James Billings, David Reed, -- Hicks (sic) Company E Killed - 3 Wm. H. Devon, Edgar H. Thompson, Patrick Tully Wounded - 7 Henry N. Keener, Joseph F. Wilson, John M. Davis, Tristam B. Peck, Henry E. Shearer, John Smith, Howard Young Company F Killed - 8 Second Lieut. Daniel A. Sheetz, William H. Howell, F.M. Morgan, J.M. Shilling, Chas E. Hartshorn, Dudley Holmes, James Murphy, Erhart Platte Wounded - 21 Capt. Joseph M. Hanna (since dead), J.D. Handburg, Robert Brown, A. Brayhill, J.C. Fitzgerald, James Hite, William Hite, Fred. M. Longsmith, R.H. Reed, John Bensell, Benj. F. Hart, James S. Hite, Wilson S. Waters, Thomas B. Waters, Ephraditus Martin, Thomas Mullen, Joseph Schink, Mat. Carroll, Jas. Hill Company G Killed - 2 Daniel Owings, John W. Agrew Wounded - 23 Levi Barber, William H. McFaddens, John S--ianlin, James Cavender, Thos. Gollaher, F.M. Goswell, Thomson Harris, Adam A. Hanlin, John Madigan, James Murray, Walter Decker, W.F, Desson, Perry Foster, John Fulks, James Gibson, Roderick Moore, Joe Moore, David Orton, Silas Perry, William Darvaut, John Tucker Company H Killed - 5 T.B. Kaler , F.M. Tuttle, Geo Sales, A.J. Merriman, L.S. Bosticks Wounded - 27 Henry Akeman, Jas. Broderick, Wm. Rogers, A.C. Allen, Wm. D. Haizlep, W. Ballard, Robert Campbell, James Haley, David Allgood, Wm. C. Whittington, Levi Mayfield, James A. Bateman, Jeptha Ray, Peter Losko, Wm. Brockwood, E.M. Rose, James Fitzgerald, H.S. Rice, H.H. Ballard, J.S.W. Cockran, B.H. Woolsey, Jas. W. Demorest, Jacob Ulrich, John A. Brown, F.M. Mitchell, Robert Mongtomery, A.J. Price Company I Killed - 8 Gustavus Kligo, Henry Pfeffer, Adam Brockhardt, Gabriel Huygar, Joseph Kurliner, Dietrick Koppman, Joseph Mayer, William Volkner Wounded - 20 Capt. Robert Wilson, dangerously; Otto Baum, Albert Abbe, August Fulfs, John Block, Jacob Thomas, Buechele, Daniel Convernish, Tilgroff, Hammer, Kohr, Mond, Nafziver, Pfeiffer, Raigles, Ruttman, Schroder, Sarbian, Trynes, Hills Company K Killed - 5 First Lieut. Joseph G. Howell, Thomas Riddle, James W. Drake, Wm. Sunderland, David J. Ritter Wounded - 12 Second Lieut. Noah W. Dennison, Robert F. Mercer, Jas. N. Bray, Daniel Cox, Jerry D. Greeman, Samuel D. Richards, John A. Smalley, Calvin D. Smith, John C. Reeves, H.H. Baily, John B. Dawson, James Chauncey Total Killed, 54; wounded 168 Twelfth Illinois Killed Thos. F. White, Co. A; Wm. Hineman, Co. A; John P. Patton, Co. A; Walter Davidson, Co A; J.T. Hale, Captain Co. B; Jos Lee, Sergeant Co. B; Chas. Irwin, Corporal Co B; W.H. Atwood Co. B; Wm. Culver, Co. B; Wm. Cumpston Co. B.; Henry Doyle, Co. B; John Wilsey, Co. B; H.P. Parks, Sergeant Co. C; Wm. Lang, Co. C; Tobia Tower, Co. E; Robert C. Roy, Co. G; Wm. N. Brown, Co. G; John Hackett, Co. K; Wm. C. Carpenter, Co. K. Wounded (Transcribers Note; The right side of the newspaper cuts off the last few letters of some of the names) Herman Kummert, Co. A; Jackson Budd, Co. A; Jos. Greenhut, Sergeant Co. A; J.L. Wilson, Corporal, Co. A.; John A. Sheriff, Co. A. Thomas Heneger, Co. A; David King, Sergeant Co. A.; Wm. S. McMillan, Co.A; Stephen S. Spencer, Co B; Daniel Wilbur, Corporal, Co. B; M. ?. Blodgett, Corporal, Co. B; B.K. Harrington, Corporal, Co. B; Henry Harrington, Co. B; A.R. Cun?sion, Co. B; Daniel Baudier, Co. B; John Clove Co B; S.B. Pease, Co. B; Geo Steinbaugh, Co. B Robert Donnelley, Co. B; James McMannes, Co. B, R.M. Dewey, Co. B; Henry Mills, Co. B; Philander Dowd, Co. B; Jacob Stevens, Co. B; J.C. Clin? Co. B; Mortimer Messenger, Co. B; J.Q. Mannis, Co. B; Sidney W. Drake, Co. B; Allen B. Buffington, Co. B; Benjamin West, Co. B; Robert Hall, Co. B; D.W. Moffatt, Co. B; R.V. Chesle Captain, Co. C; Henry Johns, Corporal, Co. C; Wm. M. Johns, Co. C; Thomas Dunn, Co. C; Job? Lynch, Co. C; Thos. Jones, Co. C; John Sware, Sergeant Co C; John Sullivan Co. C; Jonathan Thompson, Co. C; Eli Moyer, Co. C; E.M. Diviney, Co. D; Andrew Lewis, Co. D; Theo. Simmon Co. D; Geo. Bruner, Co. D; Andrew McGinnes Co. D; M.V. Townsend, Co. E; S.L. Shoemaker Co. E; Wm. Glasebrook, Co. E; Samuel Henle(y?) Co. E; William Morin, Co. E; Russell A. William? Co. F; John Rogers, Co F; Wm. Gillett, Co. F; Henry Weeks, Co. F; James Kennedy, Co. G; Lawrence Tracy, Co. K; David Williams, Co. K. Th? Hollique, Co. K; Wm. Merriam, Co. K; Henry Magee, Co. K; Jules Duval, Co. K. Missing Geo. W. Moore, Co. C; Martin Alle? Co. D; John Wilson, Co. F. Twentieth Illinois (Transcribers Note; The right side of the newspaper cuts off the last few letters of some of the names) The following is an official list of the killed and wounded of the Twentieth Illinois Lieut-Col Wm Irwin*, killed; Drum Major W. Rudgers, do (*Note: Col. Irwin's descendants say his surname was always spelled "ERWIN") Company A Killed Corporal W.F. Lew Wounded Lieut. WM. Archdeacon, Corporal E. Lahman, J. Kennistrick, Hiram Poe, Mortally wounded, J. McGee, D. Kelly, J. McLaughlin, Z.B. Greene Company B Killed Corporal John West Wounded Second Lieut. Henry King, W.D. Wright, mortally wounded, E.R. Currier, H. Sampson, J. Carson, F.M. Rorke, G. Bentz, ? Lee, J. Griffin, G.F, Smith; H. Gehri? ; Missing J. Dykeman Company C Killed Corporal G. Halford Wounded Corporal N.R. Newton, Corporal H.C. Mank--; A.J. Levitt, mortally wounded; L.E. Lat?; Hans Lansen; J.H. Burtis, seriously wounded; D.C. Charlton(?); W.H. Demming; H. Ervins; T. Elliott, T. Garrison; Vanderventer; M.F. Ball; W.H. Flesh; J.M. Harrell; C. Jenneson; B.F. N--?; W.W. Norris; A.H. Rowan; J. Stephenson Company D Killed J. Heighshue, H. Beddea Wounded W. Eager, mortally wounded; F. Lantz, do.; J. Fortuer, badly wounded; L. Bousch, do.; J. McF--den; C. Forester; J. Hubbark; Clarke Company E Killed Sergeat E.D. Caruthers Wounded A. Stratton, badly wounded; J.A. Hutchinson, J.W. Keene; S.D. Robb Sergeant J.F. Branch, badly wounded; Sergeant J.C. Porter, do; Corporal A. Bowm-- and missing; Corporal J.J. Quackenbush, Corporal O. Gamble; Drumer W. Do --- Company F Killed Jas A. Bassett, T. Mahan; J. Doiker Wounded J. Ragan, mortally wounded; J. Shifler, badly wounded; J. Hiller, W. Un?; L. Otto; A.W. Burns; J. Comilla; D. Spade; W. Lawson; J.W. Coombs; George Frier; W.H. Dunten wounded missing Company G Killed Corporal M. Deluse, A. Sh? Wounded Color Sergeant G.P. Newton badly wounded; Missing J.D. Loilenge, Peter Castelleit, B. Tupper, Oscar Cooler, P. Tanner Company H Killed D.C. ?-gins, F.S. Eaton Wounded Sergeant S. Forbes, badly wounded; Sergeant J. McCowan, slightly wounded; Corporal Cunningham, N. Ashley, R. Darrah, badly wounded; A. Gilmer; G. Getold, J. Keep, J. McKeon, M. Payton, J. Roberts; W. Nixon; J. Rolinson, slightly wounded Company I Killed J. Ma?ney, F.O. Rockwell Wounded Capt. J.W. Kennard, badly wounded; Sgt H.D. Lovelace, Corporal A.Reynolds?, badly wounded; Corporal B.F, Shockly, R. P. Vemmen, slightly wounded; H. Scott; ; F. Batholic; ? McLaughlin, mortally wounded; W. Frayton, badly wounded; J. Challants, G.W. Garrison, Housey, J. Leeds; A. Rose; J. Th?son; J. Vennue; G. Brayton,; H. Dwyre; H.C. Dickerson; C. Lint?, J.W. Laroe; G. Platch Company K Killed A.J. Wilson Wounded Corporal R. Spencer, badly wounded; Corporal J.A. Lord, F. Crowell Thirtieth Illinois (Transcribers Note: The right side of the newspaper cuts off the last few letters of some of the names) Killed Adjutant N.R. Kirkpatrick, R.R. Cl?; William P. Kemel, J.P. Mitchell, Henry J. Pe? Co. A; Samuel Pellock, Alex. Muzzy, Co. C; A. Ashmore, Aug. Saunders, Co. F; Jer. O'Sullivan Co H; Alvah Shumway, Co. G; Sergeant John M. ??zie, And. Vetock, Henry Hilling, Charles Grat, ? Rennlee, George Koope, Co E. Wounded Segt. A.L. Titus (mortally); ? Cummins, Jno. Valentine, W.C, Rust, Saml D. ?ton, Jas. T. Durston, J.H. Bradford, Chauncey Smith, Jno. Cooper, Jno. Gilmore, Edw. Noone? Co A; T.B, Moore, Martin Cannum, Jos. N. Bay, D. Reynolds, Co. H; Francis Williamson, ? Lively, Co. C; Geo. Mack, Thos. Knight, ? Geary, Jno. Black, Wm. Groupe, J. Fraker, C ?? Chas. Smith, Co. I; R.N. Woodruff, Lieut. S. Hall, Oscar Nichols, Wm. Nichols, Edw. Risby, Wm. N. Lanham, Co. H; Sergt. Geo. McFadden, Thos. Jones, Henry K. Tyler, Jno. McCreight, Co. G; Corporal Geo. Davis, G.F, Hutson, Saml. Henry, Clemens Cook, Danl. Hendricks, Co. K; Jas. Evans, Jno. Murphy, A. Anderson, A. Green, Sergt. J. Mann, Nelson Carpenter, H. Bush, C.H. Bishop, D. McGreene, E.B, Kaufmann, Wm. Crooker, A. Perkins, J.G. Hall, Guy Eagleton, G. Fultz, J.W. Brigman, Thos. Wright, L. Cox, Co. D; Capt. J.C. Johnson, Sergt. Wm. Emery, Srgt. Chas. Fitzherbert, Saml. Burgess, Linsey Steele, Henry Wolfe, James Gaston, Frank D. Hart, Jacob Swenrod, Henry Williams, Daniel Malone, Jesse Bomerman, David Cruthers, J. Benseley, B.B, Brown, Co. E. Missing Wm. McDowell, Wm. Stackwell, Co. D; W.G, McGaw, Moses K. Flory, Co. A Taken Prisoner - John Rubert, Co. A.

Transcribed by K. Torp