Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant · Chapter
Investment of Fort Donelson explained
Grant describes the strategic and logistical challenges of investing Fort Donelson after the fall of Fort Henry, including heavy rains, impassable roads, and the necessity of gunboat support.
What happens
Grant describes the strategic and logistical challenges of investing Fort Donelson after the fall of Fort Henry, including heavy rains, impassable roads, and the necessity of gunboat support. He details the fort's geography, the Confederate command structure under Floyd, Pillow, and Buckner, and the eventual surrender after a failed breakout attempt. Grant's demand for 'unconditional and immediate surrender' becomes a defining moment, and he notes the escape of Floyd, Pillow, and Forrest with thousands of troops. The chapter concludes with Grant's reflections on the number of prisoners and the assistance of Sherman.
Themes in this chapter
Leadership and Humility
Grant demonstrates decisive leadership in demanding unconditional surrender, yet shows humility in his friendly conversation with Buckner and his willingness to let weary Confederates leave.
The Horrors and Cost of War
The chapter recounts the heavy casualties, the burial of the dead, and the thousands of prisoners, underscoring the brutal human cost of the campaign.
Personal Integrity and Self-Reliance
Grant relies on his own judgment and reconnaissance, acting without explicit approval from Halleck, and later allows prisoners to leave if they swear off further service.
Characters to notice
- Ulysses S. Grant
Commands the Union forces investing Fort Donelson; makes a reconnaissance, demands unconditional surrender, and accepts Buckner's capitulation.
- Simon B. Buckner
Third in command at Fort Donelson; assumes command after Floyd and Pillow flee, and negotiates surrender with Grant, his former West Point classmate.
- John B. Floyd
Overall Confederate commander at Fort Donelson; escapes with his brigade during the night before surrender.
- Gideon J. Pillow
Second in command; declines command after Floyd turns it over, then flees with Floyd before surrender.
- Nathan Bedford Forrest
Leads his cavalry and about 1,000 troops out of the fort during the night, escaping capture.
- William T. Sherman
Sent to Smithland to forward reinforcements and supplies; sends notes of encouragement and offers to waive rank to serve at the front.
- Henry W. Halleck
Department commander; does not approve or disapprove of Grant's move on Donelson but sends reinforcements and intrenching tools.
- Andrew H. Foote
Flag-officer commanding gunboats; Grant requests his vessels to proceed up the Cumberland River.
Key passages
“I had known General Pillow in Mexico, and judged that with any force, no matter how small, I could march up to within gunshot of any intrenchments he was given to hold.”
Grant believed that Pillow's incompetence meant even a small Union force could approach his defenses without serious opposition.
Grant's confidence based on prior knowledge of Pillow's military shortcomings.
“No terms except an unconditional and immediate surrender can be accepted. I propose to move immediately upon your works.”
Grant refused any negotiation beyond an outright and prompt capitulation, threatening an immediate assault.
This famous ultimatum defined Grant's no-compromise stance at Donelson.
“I told him that if he had been in command I should not have tried in the way I did: I had invested their lines with a smaller force than they had to defend them, and at the same time had sent a brigade full 5,000 strong, around by water; I had relied very much upon their commander to allow me to come safely up to the outside of their works.”
Grant explained to Buckner that his strategy depended on the enemy commander's mistakes, and that he would have approached differently if Buckner had been in charge.
Grant acknowledges the role of Confederate command failures in his success.
