Fort Donelson National Battlefield

Fort Donelson National Battlefield is a Civil War site in Stewart and Calloway Counties along the Cumberland River in Tennessee and Kentucky. The grounds feature original fortification remains, gun batteries, and earthen trenches spread across a varied landscape where soldiers once took positions.

The February 1862 battle was a major victory for Union forces under General Ulysses S. Grant that broke Confederate control of the region. This success allowed Northern troops to advance deeper into Tennessee and secured important supply routes.

The National Cemetery within the battlefield grounds contains the graves of soldiers from multiple American conflicts, serving as a memorial to military service.

The battlefield spans multiple locations that you can explore on foot or by car depending on your time and interest. A visitor center near the entrance offers guidance and detailed information about what to see and how to get oriented.

The river location made this fort essential for controlling supply lines and troop movements during the war, which is why both sides fought so fiercely for it. Walking the grounds today, you can still see why this particular spot mattered so much tactically.