Page "Albert Sidney Johnston" Paragraph 14

Based on the assumption that Kentucky neutrality would act as a shield against a direct invasion from the north, Tennessee initially had sent men to Virginia and concentrated defenses in the Mississippi Valley, circumstances that no longer applied in September 1861.

Even before Johnston arrived in Tennessee, two forts had been started to defend the Tennessee River and the Cumberland River which provided avenues into the State from the north.

Both had been sited in Tennessee, however, in order to respect Kentucky neutrality and were not in ideal locations.

Fort Henry on the Tennessee River was in an especially unfavorable low – lying location commanded by hills on the Kentucky side of the river.

Fort Donelson on the Cumberland River, although in a better location, also was not well – site, had a vulnerable land side and did not have enough heavy artillery for its defense against gunboats.