Forrest's Escape

In February 1862, Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant attacked Forts Henry and Donelson on the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers to gain control of western Tennessee, Kentucky, and the rivers. Grant captured Fort Henry on February 6 and approached Fort Donelson on February 12, while Flag Officer Andrew H. Foote's gunboats shelled the fort on the 14th but were repulsed by Confederate artillery. After a Confederate breakout on February 15 opened the roads for escape from Fort Donelson, Confederate Gen. John B. Floyd lost his nerve and ordered his men back to the trenches. Late that night, Confederate commanders met at the Dover Hotel to discuss surrender. Col. Nathan Bedford Forrest strongly opposed the idea, declared that he had not come to surrender his command, and resolved to cut his way out. About 4 A.M., after alerting his officers and rousing the cavalrymen, Forrest led his command out of the fort. Scouts at first reported Union troops blocking the route, but Forrest and his brother, Lt Jeffrey E. Forrest, discovered in the morning mist that the supposed line of infantry was only the wooden posts of a rail fence. The column then reached a deep slough filled with backwater from the Cumberland River; when no volunteer quickly came forward to test the icy crossing, Forrest rode his mount into the water and found it shallow enough to ford safely. He posted a rear guard and marched the rest of his men along the Cumberland Iron Works road toward Nashville. On February 16, part of Floyd's command escaped in boats, and the rest surrendered to Grant's demand for unconditional surrender.

Dover, Tennessee · United States