feb 6, 1862 - Battle of Fort Henry

Description:

The Battle of Fort Henry took place alongside the Tenessee River, and proved to be a victory for Union Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant.

Fort Henry and Fort Donelson were built by the Confederates shortly after the Fort Sumter surrender, "just south of the border of Tenessee and Kentucky" ("Fory Henry and Fort Donelson", 2007). They were very strategic points, as they "guarded rich mineral deposits and agricultural lands as well as the important city of Nashville, Tennessee." ("Battle of Fort Henry", 2018).

Grant was ordered to seize Fort Henry by General Halleck. "A Union force of 15,000 men and seven gunboats traveled along the Tennessee to Fort Henry, whose meagre defenses they overcame on February 6. About 2,500 Confederate defenders under General Lloyd Tilghman fought briefly, then retreated 12 miles (19 km) overland to nearby Fort Donelson to prepare a stronger defensive line." ("Battle of Fort Henry", 2018).