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Fort Donelson National Battlefield First Bloomers
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Fort Donelson National Battlefield
Smith's Attack
Smith's Attack
Park Staff
Smith's Attack
 
Grant correctly concluded that for the Confederates to hit so hard on the right, they must have weakened their line somewhere else. Seizing the initiative, he told General Smith to "take Fort Donelson." Smith had his troops uncap their guns (so the men would not be tempted to fire, risking greater casualties) and fix bayonets. With the Second Iowa Infantry spearheading the attack, Smith led the assault against the Confederate lines on this ridge. Smith's division routed the 30th Tennessee Infantry and captured and held the earthworks, thus controlling this position on the night of the 15th. Before the attack could be renewed the next morning, Grant and Buckner were already discussing terms for surrender.
 
CF Smith

 Charles Ferguson Smith was once an instructor of US Grant at West Point Academy, but during this campaign served under Grant as a division commander. After the Battle of Fort Donelson, General Smith led some expeditions up the Tennessee River, but died of an infection near Shiloh (Pittsburg Landing) in April, 1862, not being part of that campaign.

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Did You Know?

Did You Know?
Lew Wallace served on the court martial of Lincoln's assassins after the war and was president of the court martial that convicted Wirz, commandant of Andersonville Prison.

Last Updated: November 22, 2011 at 10:20 MST