Dover, Tenn.–Fort Donelson National Battlefield is offering programs and events between February 3 and February 18 in observance of the 162nd anniversary of the February 1862 battles for Forts Henry and Donelson.
Events begin on February 3rd at 2:00 PM at the national park’s Fort Heiman Unit, 654 Fort Heiman Road, located near New Concord, Kentucky. Presenter Dr. William Mulligan will lead a hike to the Confederate works overlooking Fort Henry and discuss the February 6 battle and the Union taking of both Forts Henry and Heiman.
The following Saturday, February 10, The Fort Henry & Donelson Campaign Group and the national park are co-hosting the second annual symposium featuring noted speakers on a variety of related topics. The symposium, located at the Stewart County Visitor Center, 116 Visitors Center Lane, Dover, Tennessee, will begin at 9:00 AM.
Park programs specific to the Battle of Fort Donelson will be offered from Wednesday, February 14 thru Sunday, February 18, with weekend programming including living history programs, including live-fire infantry and artillery demonstrations.
While each day offers interesting programs, February 14 will prove a wonderful time to spend Valentines’ Day, learning about the “iron Valentines’” – referring to the hundreds of artillery shells exchanged between the Confederate fort and the “state of the art” Union flotilla of ironclad gunboats on that date, 162 years before.
A complete schedule of programs, and more details of each, are accessible online via the national park Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/pg/fortdonelsonnps or web page at: https://www.nps.gov/fodo/planyourvisit/events.htm , or by calling 931-232-0576 x 0.
In the interest of safety, in the event of inclement weather, events are subject to cancelation. Information as to event status will be available via the above online sources, or by contacting the Ranger office at 931-232-0576 x0.
Fort Donelson NB 162nd Anniversary Schedule of Programs
Saturday, February 3
“Protecting the Tennessee”
2:00 PM
Location: Fort Heiman Unit Education Pavilion, 654 Fort Heiman Road, New Concord, KY
Join guest speaker and retired Murray State History Professor Dr. William Mulligan, and Fort Donelson Park Rangers for a short hike to Confederate Fort Heiman. There, while looking across the Tennessee River to view the location of Fort Henry, Dr. Mulligan will share the story behind the February 6, 1862, battle for the forts.
Note: The program involves an approximately on-half mile hike over rough surfaces and involves climbing a steep incline. Please dress appropriately for the weather, wearing suitable footwear, and consider bringing water and a snack.
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Saturday, February 10
2nd Annual Fort Donelson Civil War Symposium
9:00 AM -3:00 PM
Location: Stewart County Visitor Center, 117 Visitor Center Drive, Dover, TN
For the second year, the Fort Henry & Donelson Campaign Group and the National Park Service are co hosting a Symposium consisting of noted presenters sharing of on topics related to the Forts Henry and Donelson Campaign and the western theater of war.
9:00 AM “Johnsonville Depot”—Dr. Jerry Wooten
10:00 AM “Conquered Banners: Confederate Flags of the Fort Donelson Campaign—Greg Biggs 11:00 AM “ Sarah Kennedy Letters”—Dr. Minoa Uffelman
1:00 PM “1862 Battle of Dover”—John Walsh
2:00 PM ”I Propose to Move Immediately Upon Your Works”—Dr. Curt Fields
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Wednesday, February 14
Exchanging “Iron Valentines” – The Naval Battles of Forts Henry and Donelson 1:00 PM – Park Rangers
2:00 PM and 3:00 PM—Jim Jobe, Park Historian (retired)
Location: Lower River Battery, Tour Stop #4, Fort Donelson NB
Bring your loved one and spend your Valentines Day by joining Park Rangers and or long-time historian Jim Jobe at the same strategic location of Confederate artillery, experiencing the same view down river as Confederates of 1862. Learn of the intense land – naval engagement between fortification artillery and armored gunboats, and how the exchange of hundreds of shells led to the description, “the exchange of iron valentines,” and the revolutionary and history-changing significance of Forts Henry and Donelson.
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Thursday, February 15
“You Came Here to Die”– Brigadier General Smith and the Taking of Fort Donelson Start Time: 11:00 AM Greg Biggs, Historian and Park Volunteer
Location: Smith’s Attack, Tour Stop #5, Fort Donelson NB
Join historian and author Greg Biggs as he shares about the challenges faced by Union midwestern regiments tasked with the charging of a steep, snow-covered ridge while under fierce enemy fire. How did they succeed, leading to the eventual taking and surrender of the entrenched Confederate force?
“Following the Breakout” – Auto Caravan Tour of the Confederate Breakout Attempt (Reservations Required)
Start Time: 1:00 PM
Starting Location: Stewart County Library parking lot, 102 Natcor Drive, Dover, TN
Join military historian Greg Biggs, Brigadier General Ulysses Grant, and Park Rangers as we travel along an almost two-mile course of the Confederate charge and breakout attempt of February 15, 1862, learning of the infamous attack and of the nationally significant seed that resulted from it. Be part of a discussion whether the “breakout” was a lost opportunity for Confederate escape or one of the great “blunders” of military leadership?
Participants will utilize their own vehicles in caravanning from point to point to key locations across the community.
Participation is limited and requires reservations by calling 931-232-5706 ext. 0.
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Friday, February 16
“Recollections of the Battle – The Approach of Victory,” an Interview with Union Brigadier General Ulysses Grant and Confederate Brigadier General Pillow
11:00 AM and 1:00 PM
Location: Dover Hotel/”Surrender House,” Tour Stop #10, 101 Petty Street, Dover, TN Join us at the historic Surrender House as we observe Union Brigadier General Ulysses Grant and
Brigadier General Gideon Pillow as they are “interviewed” by a period newspaper reporter, portrayed by Ranger Jim Lewis, Chief of Interpretation at Stones River National Battlefield. The generals will share of their recollections of the battle and give their own interpretation as to the led fall of both Forts Henry and Donelson.
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Saturday, February 17
“Rumble on the River”—Infantry and Artillery Drill and Firing Demonstrations 11:00 AM, 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM – Artillery Demonstrations
1:00 PM and 3:00 PM – Infantry / Small Arms Demonstrations
Location: Fort Donelson NB Visitor Center, 120 Fort Donelson Park Road, Dover, TN
Dress warmly and be prepared to cover your ears while experiencing the sight and sounds of Civil War infantry and artillery in action. Rangers and park Volunteers will share of the battle, the practices of both infantry and artillery, and how they worked together in combat.
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Sunday, February 18
“Rumble on the River”—Infantry and Artillery Drill and Firing Demonstrations 11:00 AM, 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM – Artillery Demonstrations
1:00 PM – Infantry Small Arms Demonstration
Location: Fort Donelson NB Visitor Center, 120 Fort Donelson Park Road, Dover, TN
Dress warmly and be prepared to cover your ears while experiencing the sight and sounds of Civil War infantry and artillery in action. Rangers and park Volunteers will share of the battle, the practices of both infantry and artillery, and how they worked together in combat.
In the interest of safety, in the event of inclement weather, events are subject to cancelation. Effort will be made to provide updates online via the national park Facebook page at:
https://www.facebook.com/pg/fortdonelsonnps or web page at:
https://www.nps.gov/fodo/planyourvisit/events.htm , or by calling 931-232-0576 x 0.