Fort Donelson

Fort Donelson National Battlefield
1 mile west of Dover, northwest of Nashville. Visitor center entrance on US 79. See park website for specific directions.
931-232-5706 extension 0
 Road map 
This strong Confederate fortification on the bluffs of the Cumberland River was the site of the first major Union victory of the war and the place that introduced the term “unconditional surrender” into the national dialogue. Following an unsuccessful bombardment by Union ironclads and other ships Feb. 14, 1862, Confederates in the fort attempted an infantry attack the next day against Union forces under Gen. U.S. Grant that nearly encircled the place from the land side.
    After some early setbacks, Grant counterattacked and demanded the fort’s surrender. His terms: “...an unconditional and immediate surrender.” The fall of Fort Donelson was a disaster for the Confederates, causing the loss of Northern Tennessee including the munitions center and state capital at Nashville. Park visitor center open 8 am-4:30 pm daily. The Dover Hotel (Surrender House) is open weekend afternoons during the summer. Free.

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