News Release

The Story of the River Batteries and their Soldiers Dover, TN.

Heavy Armament at the Lower Artillery Batteries, Fort Donelson NB

NPS

News Release Date: August 26, 2022

Contact: William Fields, 931-232-5706 x 0

The public is invited to Fort Donelson National Battlefield on Saturday, September 3 for a Civil War encampment demonstrating and discussing the engineering, design, manning of the noted River Batteries of Confederate Fort Donelson. The programs will be held at the River Batteries (Tour Stop #4), situated high above the Cumberland River, on the hour between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., with a break for the crew during the noon hour. 

The artillery positions along the river bluff did not materialize overnight. Planning and design by Confederate engineers, construction of works on the earthen bluff, the installation of heavy ordinance went into their creation. In addition, hours of training and drilling of inexperienced volunteer soldiers went into preparedness for certain Union attack.

This unique event will highlight the challenging engineering feats involved in construction of the commanding artillery positions above the Cumberland. Volunteers in period uniform will demonstrated field survey and engineering techniques and share stories about the building of the batteries over 160 years ago. 

Programs may be altered or cancelled in the event of inclement weather. Any changes will be posted on www.nps.gov/fodo or www.facebook.com/fortdonelsonnps Also, the public may contact the Ranger staff at 931-232-5706 ext 0