ECW Podcast: In the Wake of Fort Donelson (with Greg Biggs)
Everything the Confederates did in the West after the fall of Fort Donelson was an attempt to reverse the results of Donelson. Join historian Greg Biggs for a look at the strategic situation before and after.
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Fort Donelson. This engagement was more significant than many realize: over sixteen thousand casualties; one of the few examples of a Union commander abiding by President Lincoln’s command to “attack everywhere [by] Washington’s Birthday” (and in US Grant’s case, TWO attacks were conducted: against Fort Henry and Fort Donelson). Also, there was friction revealed at Fort Donelson between Grant and McClernand, and Grant and Lew Wallace… and after victory at Fort Donelson, between Grant and Buell, and Grant and Halleck… and this festering friction would have implications for the 6 April 1862 Battle of Shiloh.
This researcher is looking forward to Greg Biggs’ discussion of Fort Donelson…
Just viewed the podcast on YouTube… Once again, Greg Biggs does not disappoint, covering the importance of Fort Donelson and Grant’s Victory there in February 1862. Refreshing topics included in this video: the Kentucky/ Tennessee dilemma for the Confederacy, affecting where significant rebel forts could be built (including Fort Columbus and Fort Henry); the shipbuilding race engaged in by both sides (and the importance of TIMING when launching offensive operations); the challenge facing Albert Sydney Johnston in command of Confederate Department No.2 (and the attempted use of one of the “wonder weapons” of the Civil War – naval mines (at the time, called ‘torpedoes.’)) Overall, a solid introduction to pre-Shiloh operations in the Western Theatre, a foundation upon which further study of Grant, Halleck, Foote, Beauregard, and Albert Sydney Johnston will build significant understanding of the contest “west of Virginia.”
Hi Chris. Greg mentioned a book on the artillery during the Henry/Donelson campaign but I’m not finding it either on Amazon or a general google searxh. Brigadier General Google, if you will. Would you point me to it? Thanks.
I believe the book is by Cathey and Robnett– “The River Batteries at Fort Donelson.”
Gregg Biggs is one of or is the Father of Fort Donelson History. He knows!! Finally Fort Donelson is getting the attention it deserves. 47,000 men and a fleet of ironclad and wooden gunboats involved. Fort Donelson was a military disaster that the South suffered along with Fort Henry and from there went downhill. Shiloh was a direct result of the defeat at Donelson. With the loss of Donelson the Federals occupied Nashville, Tennessee, lost the rich iron Country around Donelson and Dover, the State of Kentucky and a lot of Tennessee. Almost all of it. For decades Fort Donelson was a footnote of History, associated with the rise of Grant as Major General and Commander of the Army and not recognized for the great victory it was. The Battle and siege of Donelson was a hard fought Battle for both sides. The capture of 14,000 Confederates as prisoners and their shoulder arms, lots of Artillery, and the Cumberland River the Confederates could not afford to lose. Just imagine if those 14,000 men and Van Dorn’s Army from Arkansas were at Shiloh or some other Western Battle– They might have won… Thanks to Chris and Greg for doing this…
Thanks for listening!