The New Student's Reference Work/Donelson, Fort

Don′elson, Fort, an historic post in Tennessee on the Cumberland River, 12 miles east of Fort Henry.  It was strongly fortified by the Confederates during the Civil War, and in 1862, when held by General Floyd with 15,000 troops, was attacked by Commodore Foote, who was driven back.  But the forces of General Grant, coming up from the capture of Fort Henry, defeated the Confederate force, which came out of the fort to meet them. General Floyd and a part of his force escaped during the night, and the following day General Buckner, who was next in command, surrendered with about 14,000 men.