Page "Albert Sidney Johnston" Paragraph 17

Johnston also reinforced Fort Donelson with 12, 000 more men, including those under Floyd and Pillow, a curious decision in view of his thought that the Union gunboats alone might be able to take the fort.

He did order the commanders of the fort to evacuate the troops if the fort could not be held.

The senior generals sent to the fort to command the enlarged garrison, Gideon J. Pillow and John B. Floyd, squandered their chance to avoid having to surrender most of the garrison and on February 16, 1862, Brig.

Gen. Simon Buckner, having been abandoned by Floyd and Pillow, surrendered Fort Donelson.

Colonel Nathan Bedford Forrest escaped with his cavalry force of about 700 men before the surrender.

The Confederates suffered about 1, 500 casualties with an estimated 12, 000 to 14, 000 taken prisoner.

Union casualties were 500 killed, 2, 108 wounded, 224 missing.