Seizing the Initiative

When Confederates attacked the Union right flank with great force on February 15 in an effort to open an escape route, Grant concluded that they had weakened their line somewhere else and ordered Gen. Charles F. Smith to attack the far right flank of the Southern lines with his whole division and take Fort Donelson. With Col. Jacob G. Lauman's brigade spearheading the assault, Smith captured this ridge. Confederate forces retreated through the ravine behind and joined Buckner's troops returning from the breakout area, then managed to hold the next ridge. By nightfall Smith's division had captured and held the earthworks controlling this position. Before the attack could be renewed the next morning, Grant and Buckner were already discussing terms for surrender. The Second Iowa Regiment of Lauman's Brigade led the attack against Buckner's troops that afternoon.

Dover, Tennessee · United States