Lot #412

[U. S. Grant and John A. Rawlins] Order to Proceed with the Battle of Fort Donelson

Description

Battle orders from Grant and Rawlins: “You will proceed around to Fort Donelson Tenn by way of the Cumberland and direct all troops on transports met between this and Paducah to accompany you"

Civil War-dated manuscript document, one page both sides, 8 x 10, February 11, 1862. Addressed from “Headquarters District of Cairo, Fort Henry, Tenn.,” a letter order sent to Col. John Milton Thayer, penned in a secretarial hand on behalf of Brigadier General U. S. Grant and Assistant Adjutant-General John A. Rawlins, in full: “You will proceed around to Fort Donelson Tenn by way of the Cumberland and direct all troops on transports met between this and Paducah to accompany you. You will not pass the gunboats already directed to precede you. It is expected that the troops from Fort Henry will arrive near Fort Donelson tomorrow morning evening, ready to commence the engagement on the following morning. The force going by water should effect a landing as near the Fort as possible, and be in readiness to cooperate with the forces from here. Each regiment will be under its immediate commander, the senior, however, taking direction of the whole until Brigaded by orders from these headquarters.” A postscript reads: “Col John M Thayer will assume command of all of the troops proceeding and directed in the above order to proceed to Fort Donelson by way of the Cumberland River on transports until further notice.” Notation to reverse of second integral page: “Grants Order at Fort Henry.” In very good, fragile condition, with light stains, and partial separations to the horizontal folds.

The Battle of Fort Donelson was fought from February 11–16, 1862. It resulted in the Union capture of the Confederate fort near the Tennessee–Kentucky border and opened the Cumberland River, an important avenue for the invasion of the South. The Union's success also elevated Brig. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant from an obscure and largely unproven leader to the rank of major general, earning him the nickname of ‘Unconditional Surrender’ Grant.

Auction Info

• Auction Title: Fine Autograph and Artifacts Featuring Revolutionary War, The War of 1812, and Civil War
• Dates: June 21, 2024 - July 10, 2024