Question of the Week: What was the biggest contributor to Fort Donelson falling?
164 years ago today, the Confederate army at Fort Donelson surrendered to Grant. In your view, what was the single most important factor leading to the Confederacy’s defeat there?
Utterly divided and inept Confederate leadership led to the loss of their garrison. But the Fort itself would have inevitably fallen to siege, given the Union control of surrounding river systems.
The Confederate command was structured in a dysfunctional manner that failed to coordinate and cooperate forces. The Confederate senior officers did not have personal or professional relationships to cooperate forces the good of the Confederate forces.
The union army
A weak and inept defense, a divided Confederate command structure.
I would pick Confederate leadership (or lack thereof). Grant got lucky; the Confederate leadership did not.
Albert Sydney Johnston for the decisions he made with regard to both forts (Henry & Donelson), siting – original decision made by others but he kept them there – and commanders.
As an aside, since we are in our America 250 celebration year, anyone see any comparisons between the loss of Forts Henry & Donelson and the 1776 disastrous loss of Forts Washington & Lee?
Clearly Grant’s leadership vs the Confederate command structure & inept leadership
Clearly Grant’s aggressive leadership vs the Confederate command structure & inept rebel leaders