CAMP NEAR FORT DONELSON, February 15, 1862.
Commanding Officer Gunboat Flotilla:
If all the gunboats that can will immediately make their appearance to the enemy it may secure us a victory. Otherwise all may be defeated. A terrible conflict ensued in my absence, which has demoralized a portion of my command, and I think the enemy is much more so. If the gunboats do not show themselves it will reassure the enemy and still further demoralize our troops. I must order a charge to save appearances. I do not expect the gunboats to go into action, but to make appearance and throw a few shells at long range.
U. S. GRANT.
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
Official Records, Series I., Vol. 7, Part 1, Page 618.
The Confederates had made a good defense against the gunboats. Grant's men were demoralized and the Navy was reluctant to commit their battered ships again. But the rebels failed to take either of two good options, to retire toward Nashville on an open road from the fort or to counterattack Grant's force. The purpose of holding the fort was to buy time for Johnston's withdrawal into Tennessee from Bowling Green and this had been accomplished. Victory was likely not possible, but a draw of sorts was. The Confederate generals in the Fort, though, would soon enough find a way to cause maximum destruction to their cause.
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