Victory for the Slave
Not only a strategic military victory, the capture of Forts Henry and Donelson provided a welcomed victory for thousands of enslaved African-Americans. Slaves from surrounding areas in Tennessee and Kentucky came to the forts seeking protection and work. Other slaves were impressed into the Union Army to work as laborers.
"Impress slaves of the secessionists in vicinity [of Fort Henry] to work on fortifications."—Henry Halleck to U.S. Grant, February 8, 1862
"Slaves as were within the lines at the time of the capture of Fort Donelson, and such have been used by the enemy, in building the fortification, or in any way hostile to the Government, will not be released or permitted to return to their masters, but will be employed in the Quarter Masters Department, for the benefit of the Government."—General Order No. 14, U.S. Grant, February 26, 1862
"All the Negroes have [been] pressed to work on fortifications."—Sarah Kennedy, Tennessee slave master living near Clarksville, Tennessee, January 4, 1863
Wartime Politics
Grant faced a precarious situation after the surrender of Fort Donelson. He struggled with uncertain Federal policy concerning freedom-seeking slaves and criticism from the Northern press for his actions at Donelson. Angry slave owners searching for their runaway slaves compounded Grant's problems. Difficult decisions had to be made—protect the fugitive slaves or honor Tennessee and Kentucky state laws that legalized slavery. Grant realized the risk to his career—other Union commanders had been reprimanded for making improper decisions. Though he professed he had "no views of [his] own to carry out," Grant chose to protect the slaves within the Union lines and impressed other slaves in the surrounding area.
As the Union Army pushed farther south, more and more freedom-seeking slaves continued to seek refuge with the Army. Grant and other Union commanders finally received a bit more direction on how to handle the situation with the passage of the Second Confiscation Act (July 1862). This act permitted the confiscation and emancipation of secessionists' slaves that entered the Union lines.
"Links took Major, Alfred, Wyatt and Isham from my farm . . . Links left me three old negroes Harbest, Stephen and Anthony . . . Adaline and two children left for lincolndon"—John Barker, Tennessee slave master living near Clarksville, Tennessee, October 1863
" . . . Phil and Fanny [have] left for Yankeedom . . . I do not think Aunt Lucy [will] leave or give me any trouble . . . They have all been turn[ed] to fools by the circumstances that surrounds them . . . "—Sarah Kennedy, August 19, 1863
Contributions to the War Effort
Both the Confederate and Union Armies benefited from the labor of African Americans. Confederate Forts Henry and Donelson were constructed with the help of slaves. Some slaves accompanied their masters to the forts, serving as cooks, hospital aides, and personal servants. More than 100 slaves are recorded as following masters captured at the two forts to Northern prison camps.
African-Americans served the Union Army in similar ways. Men and women served as teamsters, laborers, laundresses, cooks, and hospital aides.
"We have two Negroe women to cook and wash for us which costs me two dollars a week."—Sgt. Major Thomas Baugh, 83rd Illinois, March 3, 1863
"I showed my black folks your picture today . . . They are faithful and excellent people . . . I am going to build a log house in the rear of the tent for them to live and cook in."—Colonel William P. Lyons, 71st Ohio, from Fort Henry, November 20, 1863
Creating a New Life
Many African-Americans continued to seek freedom and protection at the Union forts. Valuing their freedom more than anything else, these people risked recapture by slave masters and faced the likelihood homelessness, hunger, and disease. Even if they reached the safety of the Union lines, they faced the possibility of prejudice. The chance for a better future gave them hope.
By 1863, a freedmen's camp had formed at Fort Donelson. The residents built their own homes, and by the following spring had planted fifty separate, fenced family gardens.
Benevolent societies, such as the Western Freedmen's Aid Society, assisted the Army by providing clothing and teachers. Over 100 students attended the freedmen's school at the Fort Donelson camp in 1864. Two freedwomen, Kitty Fields and Lucy Claggett, taught classes at the nearby Clarksville school. African-American women also cared for orphans at the Clarksville camp, working for "low wages" and "plain, comfortable clothing."
" . . . Large numbers of women and children most of whom have husbands and fathers employed on our fortifications have found their way inside our lines . . . I have protected them from being taken out of our lines against their will but have allowed them to leave at their pleasure. Should their number increase materially I think they must be subsisted by the Government or suffer for food."—Colonel W.P. Lyons, July 13, 1863
"There are a great many women here, whose husbands are in the army, and who want to come to school. They bring their little babes to school with them."—Ella M. Groves, teacher at the Fort Donelson freedmen's school, May 24, 1865
"My field embraces all the colored people at this post—the camp, Clarksville and Providence—also the colored people at Fort Donelson, who are now building their own school-houses and teachers' quarters. They sent me $30, collected from their own circle, to purchase sash, glass, locks, and hinges."—Capt. William Brunt, February 23, 1865
Many African-American men wanted to fight for their freedom, but the Union Army was reluctant to initiate recruitment. Yet, some men took any opportunity they could to support the cause. During the Confederate attack of Fort Donelson in February 1863 (known as the Battle of Dover) several freedmen were armed and prepared to fight. When the Union commander heard about this, he ordered them to put down their weapons. At least five of the men ignored the colonel's order, picked up weapons from wounded Union soldiers, and rejoined the fighting.
Fort Donelson eventually became a recruiting station for African-American men in November 1863. In October 1864, the 119th U.S.C.T. and the Fourth Colored Artillery (Heavy) skirmished near Fort Donelson.
"Our loss is Lieutenant Johnston, Company I, Fourth Colored Artillery, and 3 enlisted men killed, and 9 enlisted men wounded . . . As for the colored soldiers they behaved nobly. There was not a single instance in which they did not surpass my expectations."—T.R. Weaver, 119th Colored Infantry, October 12, 1864
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