garrison abandoned the fort, save General
Lloyd Tilghman (its commander), his staff, and one company of about
70 men, who surrendered February 6th. A hospital boat containing
60 sick and about 20 heavy guns, barracks, tents, ammunition, etc.,
also fell into Union hands. The only serious casualty was on the
_Essex_, caused by a shot in her boilers, which resulted in wounding
and scalding 29 officers and men, including Commodore David D.
Porter.

General Grant reported on the same day that he would take Fort
Donelson, and on February 12, 1862, he sent six regiments around
by water and moved the body of his command from Fort Henry across
the country, distant about twelve miles.

Three gunboats under Lieutenant-Commander S. L. Phelps went up the
Tennessee as far as Florence, Alabama, while others proceeded to
the mouth of the Cumberland and ascended it to aid the land forces.

Commander Phelps on his way up the river seized two steamers, caused
six others loaded with supplies to be destroyed, took at Cerro
Gordo a half-finished gunboat, and made other important captures
of military supplies. He discovered considerable Union sentiment
among the inhabitants, some of them voluntarily enlisting to fight
the Confederacy.(16)

Grant was assigned to the District of West Tennessee February 14,
1862.(17)

General Grant had, when he commenced the attack of Fort Donelson,
about 15,000 men, in three divisions, commanded, respectively, by
Generals C. F. Smith, John A. McClernand, and Lew Wallace. The
total force of the enemy was not less than 20,000, under the command
of General J. B. Floyd.(18) The investment of the fort commenced
on the 12th, but it was not complete until the evening of the 13th,
on the arrival of the gunboats and the troops sent by water. Flag
Officer Foote opened fire on the enemy's works at 3 P.M. on the
14th, from four gunboats, which continued for an hour and a half
with a brilliant prospect of complete success, when each of the
two leading boats received disabling shots and were carried back
by the current. The other two were soon partially disabled and
hence withdrawn from the fight. Grant then concluded to closely
invest the fort, partially fortify his lines, and allow time for
Commodore Foote to retire, repair his gunboats, and return. But
the enemy did not permit this to be done. He drew out from his
left the principal part of his effective troops under Generals
Gideon J. Pillow, B. R. John