February 14, 1862 (Friday): Twelve Degrees in Tennessee

FORT HENRY, February 14 [12], 1862. 

Major-General HALLECK:
We start this morning for Fort Donelson in heavy force. Four regiments from Buell's command and two from Saint Louis arrived last night and were sent around by water. I hope to send you a dispatch from Fort Donelson to-morrow. 


U. S. GRANT,
Brigadier-General. 

NEAR FORT DONELSON, TENN., February 14, 1862. 

General H. W. HALLECK,
Commanding Department of the Missouri, Saint Louis, Mo.:
GENERAL: Five gunboats and twelve transports arrived this morning and will materially strengthen us. The enemy have been receiving heavy re-enforcements every night since the investment commenced. They are now all driven inside their outer works, which, however, cover an extensive area. It was impossible, in consequence of the high water and deep sloughs, to throw a force in above Dover to cut off their re-enforcements. Any force sent for such a purpose would be entirely away from support from the main body.
Last night was very severe upon the troops. At dusk it commenced raining, and in a short time turned cold and changed to snow and sleet. This morning the thermometer indicated 20 below freezing.
Respectfully, your obedient servant, 


U. S. GRANT
Brigadier-General. 


NEAR FORT DONELSON, February 14, 1862
 
Major-General HALLECK,
Floyd arrived at Donelson to-day with 4,000 men. Generals Johnson, Buckner, Floyd, and Pillow are said to be there. I have but one gunboat to-day. We have had considerable skirmishing, losing some 10 or 12 killed and about 120 wounded. Rebel loss probably much heavier. I am hourly looking for more gunboats and re-enforcements. 


U. S. GRANT,
Brigadier-General. 


NEAR DONELSON, February 14, 1862
 
Major-General HALLECK:
Our troops now invest the works at Fort Donelson. The enemy have been driven into their works at every point. A heavy abatis all around prevents carrying the works by storm at present. I feel every confidence of success and the best feeling prevails among the men. 


U. S. GRANT,
Brigadier-General. 

Official Records, Series I., Vol. 7, Part 1, Page 612.

The Confederates had driven back the Union gunboats, but Grant had extended his right flank to almost encircle the Confederate lines.  Faced with a siege and encirclement, the Confederates would have to find a way to make a breakthrough to fall back on Nashville.  This very likely should have been the plan before Grant arrived, but there was much confusion as to whether the fort could be maintained.  In fact Beauregard, on arriving in Kentucky, had advocated this move and did not envision a defense at Fort Donelson.  But the Confederate commanders on site initially believed they could hold the fort against attack and Albert Sydney Johnston chose to send reinforcements in the hope they were right.  A striking aspect of the attacks on the 14^th was the temperature, as Grant notes here 12 degrees at worst with stinging sleet.