Q. Where were the Confederate soldiers buried?
A. The Confederate soldiers were buried on the battlefield.

Q. Why is the burial site not marked on the park brochure?
A. There is no record to the exact location of the graves.

Q. Why were the Confederate soldiers not buried in the National Cemetery?
A. In July 1862, Congress passed legislation giving the President of the United States the authority to purchase land for the establishment of cemeteries “for soldiers who shall die in the service of their country”. This legislation effectively began the National Cemetery System.

Q. Is the fort still here?
A. Yes, it is tour stop 2 on the park tour map.

Q. Are the cannons real?
A. Yes, the cannons are real cannons from that period.

Q. Were they here during the battle?
A. No, the cannons are the type and caliber that was here.

Q. Where is Fort Henry?
A. Fort Henry was located 12 miles west of Fort Donelson on the Tennessee River.

Q. Does Fort Henry have a Visitor Center?
A. No, Fort Henry was located in low ground and flooded during the battle. Kentucky Lake was constructed following TVA projects in the 1930s and 1940s and the fort was completely covered by water.

Q. Did Black Troops fight at Fort Donelson?
A. Black men enlisted as soldiers at Fort  Donelson in mid-1863; however, they saw no combat action at the fort. Instead, they served as scouts or guards.

Q. Why is the fort named Fort Donelson?
A. The fort is named for Daniel S. Donelson, Brigadier General of the Tennessee State Militia and descendant of Rachel Donelson Jackson, Andrew Jackson's wife. 

Additional Information Park Histories