The Battle of Fort Henry

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from recent rainstorms, and the harsh weather had left numerous of the troops left to defend it while feeling unwell and nauseous. The fort was defended by fewer than 3,400 Confederate soldiers. In contrast, Grant had 15,000 Union troops at his disposal, defended and transported by ironclad and wooden gunboats led by Andrew H Foote. They began the attack at noon on February 6, 1862. Foote's Union ships shot at the fort from less than 300 yards away, damaging all of its defensive guns and killing 21 soldiers in the process Knowing his chances were slim, confederate General Lloyd Tilghman decided to move the majority of his troops from the firefight at Fort Henry to Fort Donelson, just 10 miles down the Cumberland River.

After 75 minutes Tilghman ordered the Confederate flag at Fort Henry lowered and a white sheet raised on the fort's flagpole. Upon seeing the white flag, the Union gunboats immediately ceased fire. the confederate troops surrendered, giving the union troops ...

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