Lauman’s Brigade Position Marker: Fort Donelson National Battlefield

U. S. A.

BRIGADIER GENERAL CHARLES F. SMITH’S DIVISION

COLONEL JACOB G. LAUMAN’S BRIGADE

2D IOWA.  COLONEL JAMES M. TUTTLE

7TH IOWA.  LIEUT. COLONEL JAMES C. PARROTT

14TH IOWA. COLONEL WILLIAM T. SHAW

16TH MISSIOURI.  LIEUT. COLONEL BENJAMIN S COMPTON

25TH INDIANA.  COLONEL JAMES C. VEATCH

On February 15, 1862, about 2 P. M., this brigade received orders to assault the extreme right of the Confederate position.  The 2d Iowa let the attack and was closely followed by the 52d Indiana, temporarily attached to this brigade.  The 25^th Indiana, 7^th and 14^th Iowa regiments were in support.  The 16^th Missouri, deployed as skirmishers on the right and left of the line, covered the flanks during the attack, crossing the ravine.  The left wing of the 2d Iowa advanced steadily up the opposite hill and reached these rifle pits without firing a shot.  On reaching the works the regiment found the small Confederate garrison in retreat.  It opened fire upon the retreating foe, and awaited the arrival of the right wing.  Whereupon the regiment followed in hot pursuit.  In the meantime, the Confederates received reinforcements and counterattacked to recover the lost position.  Failing in this, they were content to retain possession of the ridge about 400 yards east and over looking these trenches which remained in federal hands.

Detail view: click photo to enlarge.

Dover Hotel, February 16, 1862

When General Ulysses S. Grant road up here on Sunday morning, he had already received a letter from the rebel commander agreeing to the surrender of Fort Donelson and the Confederate forces occupying Dover.  Grant had come to meet the defeated general, Simon B. Buckner, at his temporary headquarters at the Dover Hotel (now restored).

Ironically, the two generals had been friends before the war and students together at West point.  Now after four days of skirmishing and better fighting, ending with Grant’s demand for “unconditional surrender,” the two soldiers met again.

Their conversation was friendly.  Grant conveyed his respect for his opponent’s ability, while Buckner bore the defeat with dignity.  After the war they would renew their friendship.  Buckner would become Governor of Kentucky, and Grant the 18th President of the United States.

SOURCE:  NPS Historical Marker Placed in front of the Dover Hotel (at right).