Event Details

Fort Donelson "The Breakout"

Where:  Dover - Fort Donelson National Battlefield - 296 Forge Rd

When:  August 23, 2025 - 3:30pm

Contact:  931-232-5706

At about 5AM on February 15, 1862, Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant left to meet Flag Officer Andrew Foote. He ordered his officers to not bring on an engagement while he was gone. Unknown to them, however, Confederates planned to launch an attack that morning and take the Forge Road so they could evacuate the area. Around 6AM Confederate troops launched the surprise attack on Union troops under Brigadier General John A. McClernand. McClernand's division of several thousand soldiers held off against almost 15,000 Confederates, but lack of ammunition and superior numbers forced the Union troops to slowly retreat along Wynn's Ferry Road.

Some of the earliest and hardest fighting took place just east of the historic Forge Road at a place now called Dudley Hill. Join park staff to learn about this key area of the battlefield, what happened there, why the Confederates attacked, and how fighting in this area shaped the course of the battle.

Programs are subject to staffing availability. In the interest of safety, in the event of inclement weather, programs are subject to cancelation. Information as to program status will be available online, or by contacting the Ranger office at 931-232-0576.

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