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What was the significance of the fall of forts Henry and Donelson to the US Civil War?
Wiki User
∙ 6y ago
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.
Harvey Schowalter
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoThe 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.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoFor 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.
Wiki User
∙ 8y agoThe 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.
Wiki User
∙ 6y agoUnder 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.
Wiki User
∙ 8y agoThe Union won the victory against Fort Donelson
Wiki User
∙ 6y agoThe 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.
Wiki User
∙ 8y agoGeneral US Grant won the Battle at Fort Donelson in early 1862. He used the combination of Union gunboats and his army to force the fort to surrender.
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What forts on the Tennessee River were captured by Union General Grant?
General Ulysses S. Grant captured Fort Henry on the Tennessee River, then took Fort Donelson six days later
What is the significance of forts?
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.
What was General US Grant's expectations on the length of the US Civil War in 1862?
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.
What was the outcome of the US Civil War Battles of Forts Jackson and Saint Philip?
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.
What two forts protected New Orleans during the US Civil War?
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.
What Nickname Was Given to Grant After the surrender of forts donelson and Henry?
It was: "Unconditional Surrender" Grant.
What is one reason for the Union's success in capturing Forts Henry and Donelson?
Superior Navy
Ulysses S. Grant attacked what 2 forts to invade and take Tennessee?
Fort Henry & Fort Donelson.
What did forts Henry and donelson protect?
The Tennessee and Cumberland rivers, respectively. These were both important military highways for men and material.
How do you know that Fort Henry and Donelson were Confederate forts?
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.
What two forts did general grant capture?
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.
What did Confederate President Jefferson Davis say about the loss of forts Henry and Donelson?
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.
What nickname was given to grant after surrender of forts donelson and Henry?
'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.
What forts on the Tennessee River were captured by Union General Grant?
General Ulysses S. Grant captured Fort Henry on the Tennessee River, then took Fort Donelson six days later
What was one of the key elements in the fall of Fort Henry in the US Civil War in 1862?
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.
What is the significance of forts?
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.
How many forts were there during the Civil War?
There were an estimate of 80 forts that were attacked during the Civil War.
