A Riverside View from Donelson
A great view of the Cumberland River from the upper river batteries at Fort Donelson National Battlefield Park, near Dover, Tennessee, captured by Ulysses S. Grant in February 1862. The great Union victory also gave Grant a new nickname, “Unconditional Surrender Grant.”
Fort Donaldson is an under-appreciated place to visit. When i enjoyed the battlefield, it seemed like I was the only person there. But it is well marked with signs, and its setting on the River makes it a rather unique place to study.
Evocative photograph of the artillery pieces, pointing downriver (north) in the direction from which Foote’s gunboats approached. Also captured in the image is the territory across the Cumberland River from Fort Donelson, occupied in February 1862 by Scott’s Louisiana Cavalry: there to observe Federal proceedings at Gunboat Landing (four miles north of Fort Donelson); and to discourage Union emplacement of artillery batteries on the right bank; and to prevent infecting 15000 Rebel defenders in vicinity of Fort Donelson with the Measles then suffered by much of Colonel Scott’s Cavalry.
Beautiful photo!