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Fort Donelson National Battlefield Ironclad Gunboat
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Fort Donelson National Battlefield
Forge Road
Forge Road
Park Staff
Forge Road
 
At daybreak on February 15, Pillow and Johnson's division, along with Col. Nathan B. Forrest's cavalry, attacked Gen. John A. McClernand's troops on the Union right flank in an attempt to secure an escape route on this road. The attack succeeded in briefly opening Forge Road as an avenue of escape but, because of indecision and confusion among their commanders, the Confederate troops were ordered to return to their entrenchments. Union soldiers reoccupied the area the southerners had fought so hard to control.
 
Breakout Attempt
Artist painting of CSA breakout attempt 

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Gunboat

Did You Know?
Andrew Foote, commander of the Navy flotilla at Fort Donelson, insisted on total abstinence for the crews, mandatory religious services and observance of the Sabbath, and he himself rarely swore. It was said that he could preach, fight, or pray with equal facility.
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Last Updated: September 24, 2009 at 11:51 MST