The morning of February 14, 1862 began cold and quiet, like many of the days before. Early that afternoon the Union Gunboats arrived and the earth began to shake as the two sides of the Civil War began exchanging what became knows as "Iron Valentines."
During the 1 1/2 hour fight the Confederate Soldiers inflicted such extensive damage to the gunboats that the Union Soldiers were forced to retreat. The Confederate Soldiers rejoiced too soon. Ulysses S. Grant received daily reinforcements and eventually had the Southerners surrounded.
On February 15, 1862 the battle that lasted all day long saw the Union Soldiers once again being defeated, however in a state of confusion the Confederate Officers ordered their soldiers back to the trenches.
When Grant saw the Southerners retreating he launched an immediate counterattack, retaking most of the lost ground and gaining new positions as well. The way of escape that the Southerners had procured was closed once more.
On February 16, 1862 General Simon Buckner asked Grant for terms. Grant's answer was short and direct: "No terms except an unconditional and immediate surrender can be accepted." Buckner surrendered. After Buckner agreed to Grant's terms the two General's met at the Dover Hotel, Buckner's Headquarters, to work out the details. The Dover Hotel then became known as the Surrender House, after surviving Union occupation the Dover Hotel remained in business until the 1930's.
After the fall of Ft. Donelson the South was forced to give up southern Kentucky and much of Middle and West Tennessee. The Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers, and railroads in the area, became vital supply lines.
Fort Donelson is open to the public year round. The Visitor Center is at the opening of the park and operating hours are 8:00 Am to 4:30 PM, and closed on Christmas Day. The Visitor Center has a gift shop/book store, a museum displaying Civil War artifacts, and an exhibit on the Underground Railroad. You can also stop and see a video about the history of the war, and interesting information on the lifelong friendship of General's Grant & Buckner. The Surrender House is open for tours from 12:00 to 4:00 PM, weekends only, from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Throughout the year the there are Civil War Re-enactments, stop on in and see what it was like during the Civil War in Dover, TN.
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