The often overlooked elements to the fall of Confederate Fort Henry was high water levels that hampered the effectiveness of the forts large cannons. Also, the credit for the fall of the fort lies with US Navy Officer Andrew Foote. Ironclads and gunboats wreaked havoc on the undermanned fort. Confederate Commander Albert S. Johnston was in charge of the Western Theater and was aware that Major General Henry Halleck would be sending Brigadier General US Grant to assault both forts Henry and Donelson.
The Battle of Fort Henry, February 6, 1862, during the American Civil War, was the first important victory for the Union.
Battle of Fort Henry happened on 1862-02-06.
February 6, 1862
The address of the Fort Macon Civil War Roundtable is: Po Box 1862, Morehead City, NC 28557-1862
The Battle of Fort Henry was fought in Western Tennessee on the right bank of the River Cumberland on February 6, 1862.
Fort Henry in Tennessee was actually still under construction when US Grant took it in February of 1862. Construction of the fort was under the supervision of Confederate General Simon Buckner.
Confederate Fort Henry was commanded by General John B. Floyd. Union troops under General US Grant captured the fort early in 1862.
Fort Donnellson was located on the Cumberland River in Tennessee. It was located 10 miles from Fort Henry. The fort was surrendered to Northern forces in 1862.
New Orleans and Fort Henry.
In January, 1862, U. S. Grant used gunboats when he captured Fort Henry, on the Tennessee River. The next month he captured Fort Donelson, on the Cumberland River. These were the first major Union victories of the civil war.
The seize of Fort Henry and Fort Donelson.
On February 6, 1862 he captured Fort Henry and on Feb. 15, 1862, Fort Donelson.The fall of the two forts allowed the Union army to move up the Tennessee deep into Confederate territory.