• The legendary battle between Confederate guns and US ironclads at Fort Donelson, February 14, 1862.

    Fort Donelson

    National Battlefield Tennessee

"Fort Donelson will hereafter be marked in Capitals on the maps of our United Country..."

Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant was becoming quite famous as he wrote these words following the surrender of Confederate Fort Donelson on Sunday, February 16, 1862. The Union victory at Fort Donelson elated the North, and stunned the South. Within days of the surrender, Clarksville and Nashville would fall into Union hands. Grant and his troops had created a pathway to victory for the Union.

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Features

  • The Union's gunboats were coming...but when?

    Defending the Cumberland River...

    The park features an eleven stop driving tour, where the visitor can imagine this game-changing battle that was fought on land and water.

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  • In memory of those who have served...

    Fort Donelson National Cemetery

    Fort Donelson National Cemetery is the final resting place of many Civil War Union soldiers and many from wars since.

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  • For field trips, traveling trunks, Park Ranger visits...and more...

    Fort Donelson: A Magnificent Classroom

    Fort Donelson NB is an ideal place to bring students to learn more about this battle, as well as its beautiful and diverse natural resources.

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  • Buckner's headquarters, and where a surrender was discussed...

    The Dover Hotel

    The Dover Hotel served as the headquarters for Confederate Generals Floyd and Buckner. The building and the community have a remarkable story to tell.

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  • We pause and we remember...

    America Commemorates a Significant Anniversary...

    From 2011 through 2015, the National Parks, together with multiple partners, commemorate the Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War.

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  • Junior Rangers: Tomorrow's Stewards

    Fort Donelson National Battlefield offers a Junior Ranger program; the booklet is available on the park's website.

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  • Special new publication on Hispanics and the American Civil War.

    Hispanics and the American Civil War.

    This fascinating new booklet is available to read online.

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  • A new booklet examines the role of slavery and the timeline of the Civil War

    Slavery and the Civil War

    A new 2011 booklet explores this most important topic, and is useful for all.

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  • Commemorating the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War

    Fort Donelson Trading Cards!

    A special series of trading cards are available for visitors of all ages.

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Did You Know?

Did You Know?

The embrasures at Fort Donelson were constructed of sand bags lined with rawhide. The rawhide was
wet down to prevent the bags from catching fire during an engagement.