Battle of Fort Donelson

Kurz & Allison. “Battle of Fort Donelson--Capture of Generals S.B. Buckner and his army, February 16th 1862.” lithograph, color. Chicago: 1887. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/91482118/ (accessed 8/26/2013).

Battle of Fort Donelson

Richard's depiction of this battle says it all. This image gives a very glorified depiction of the battle and it is interesting because you see a lot of officers standing up in the midst of battle. You see this in other prints made in the day.

“Battle of Fort Donelson.” Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2003664149/ (accessed 8/27/2013).

Flooding of the Tennessee Valley leads to battle

Waud, Alfred R. (Alfred Rudolph), 1828-1891, artist. "Position of ft. Henry on Tennessee River." 1 drawing on light green paper : pencil ; 8.9 x 12.8 cm. (sheet). Formerly Waud no. B-27. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Morgan collection of Civil War drawings. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2004660528/ (Accessed 10/17/2013)

Flooding of the Tennessee Valley leads to battle

The Tennessee River flooded, and as the water rose, Fort Henry became partially submerged, including about half of its cannons. You could land troops directly into the fort by water. This gave the North a wonderful opportunity to take not only Fort Henry but Fort Donelson which was just a few miles to the East Northeast on the Cumberland River. If the North could take Fort Henry, they could attack Fort Donelson from the River with Ironclads and from the land and lay Siege to the garrison.

Trains, Railroad Bridges, Train Wrecks and "The General"

Waud, Alfred R. (Alfred Rudolph), 1828-1891, artist. "Destruction of the locomotives on the bridge over the Chickahominy." 1 drawing on brown paper : pencil, Chinese white, and black ink wash ; 18.3 x 25.9 cm. (sheet). 1862 June. Library of Congress Morgan collection of Civil War drawings. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2004660377/ (Accessed 10/16/2013).

Trains, Railroad Bridges, Train Wrecks and "The General"

Richard's first battle was to keep control of the Danville Railroad Bridge over the Tennessee River. This bridge was vital to the South for supplying Forts Henry and Donelson and the North wanted it to cut off their supply chain and to use it to bring supplies when they invade eastern Tennessee. So in this case everyone wanted to keep the bridge intact and so it became a battle of control.