Feb. 13, 1862

Feb. 13, 1862: THE BATTLE OF FORT DONELSON, Tennessee, Day 1 - Gen. Grant has his two divisions, under C.F. Smith and John McClernand, in position on the heights surrounding Ft. Donelson. In spite of his orders not bring on "general engagement," musket fire breaks out along the lines. However, Gen. Smith orders 2 brigades forward to silence the Rebel guns on his front. They quickly become ensnared in close-quarter fighting. On the Union right, Gen. McClernand’s troops endure Rebel cannon fire for a while, and then he orders up his own artillery, and hammer the Southern gunners into silence. McClernand takes a brigade forward, but finds himself trapped in an artillery crossfire. After a time, he withdraws back to his line. That morning, Gen. John Floyd of the Confederate Army arrives with another brigade, bringing the Rebel total to 15,000 men, almost as many as Grant’s 17,000. Having thrown away their heavy winter overcoats along the march from Ft. Henry, many Union soldiers are caught by surprise when sleet begins driving in, and the temperature drops below freezing that night.


—In New Mexico, the advance force of the 5^th Texas Mounted encounters Colorado Volunteers and U.S. Regulars a few miles south of Ft. Craig, where Col. Edward Canby and his small army of 3,000 are. However, Canby decides not to attack the advance Rebel force.

—Gen. Sterling Price, in command of Southern forces in Missouri, is finally convinced that Maj. Gen. Samuel Curtis of the Union Army is approaching Springfield. Price give the order, and the Rebels abandon Springfield without a shot.