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Capt. Charles May, who fell leading his company to a charge on the enemy.
Fort Donelson was the opening of a career to Forrest that carried his name and fame to the civilized world and yet excites the admiration of all who read of his personal prowess and heroic actions.
He retired from Fort Donelson before its final surrender.
General Floyd with his brigade, and General Pillow with his staff, left on a transport pending negotiations.
The Confederate forces amounted to 12,000 to 14,500 men. General Badeau, in his life of Grant, Vol.
I, page 36, says, on the last day of the fight Grant had 27,000 men, and other reinforcements arrived after the surrender; but General Buckner believed that this was far below the number, and General Buell stated in 1865 that Grant had 30,000 to 35,000 exclusive of the naval contingent.
The Federal loss amounted to 2,500 killed, wounded and missing. The Confederate loss was about 1,420.
On
Thursday there was a rainfall, followed by snow on Friday, with freezing weather, and by the evening of Saturday, the 15th, the men who had spent a week in the trenches without sleep and without fire to warm them, were worn out to such an extent that General Buckner decided he could not longer maintain himself, and surrendered the troops on the morning of the 16th.
This was a great disappointment to Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston, commander of the department.
On the 14th he telegraphed General Floyd: ‘If you lose the fort, bring your troops to Nashville, if possible.’
Roger Hanson in his report said that ‘up to the time (1 o'clock p. m. of the 15th) when we were ordered back to the trenches, our success was complete and our escape secure,’ but ‘our success’ was misleading and defeated the wishes of General Johnston.
Columbus, Ky., was still held by the Confederate troops, as well as New Madrid and Island No.10. Maj. John P. McCown was detached from Columbus, on the
Atlanta, Ga. 1899.
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