Fort Donelson 2024 Symposium

Originally published April 2024 · pp. 8–9

DOVER, Tenn.—On February 10, the Fort Henry and Donelson Campaign Facebook Group partnered with Fort Donelson National Battlefield to host the Second Annual Civil War Symposium as part of their 162nd Anniversary events. Over 125 people from across six states were in attendance to hear presentations that focused on the Western Theater. “When we approached the idea of a symposium, we didn’t really know what to expect and were pleasantly surprised at the attendance last year and even more so this year as we had a 20% increase in attendees,” said John Walsh who has organized the event for the last two years added, “We wanted to put an event together that highlights the Western Theater of the War.” “I have long thought and suggested to some members of groups in Dover who such an event would garner support; through the efforts of John Walsh and Fort Donelson National Battlefield, this symposium seems to be filling that role,” said Darryl Smith, noted historian and authority on the Western Theater, “It is certainly well attended, with a diverse set of speakers.” The presenters were also pleased with the enthusiasm of those in attendance. Dr. Minoa Uffelman, Professor of History at Austin Peay State University, commented on how well the event was organized. “Experts shared their knowledge throughout the day with a packed room.” The group eagerly listened closely to Dr. Uffelman’s topic of civilian life in and around Clarksville, Tenn., throughout the war. Dr. Ellen Kanervo and Phyllis Smith joined her, and shared unique excerpts of biographies of young ladies who lived in the Clarksville vicinity during the war. One of them, “Nannie Haskins Williams: One Southern Woman’s Life of Rebellion to Reconstruction” was familiar to many as highlighted in the Ken Burn’s Civil War. Dr. Jerry Wooten, former administrator at Johnsonville State Park and author of the book Johnsonville: Union Supply Operations on the Tennessee River and the Battle of Johnsonville, November 4-5, 1864, presented on the importance of the Johnsonville Depot as a Union supply hub as armies continued to push south, specifically the Atlanta Campaign. His presentation culminated with the famous attack on the depot in November 1864 by Nathan Bedford Forrest. Walsh discussed the August 1862 raid on Clarksville by Adam Rankin Johnson, who captured the town without a shot being fired, and the subsequent failed attack on Dover by Colonel Thomas Woodward. Walsh suggested, “Although the history books have generally overlooked this small engagement, the impact for the Union Army at the time was significant in refocusing on the importance of protecting the inland waterways.” Dr. Curt Fields who is very well known as portraying General Ulysses S. Grant delivered his first-person accounts of the Battle of Fort Donelson and what led to his decisions on the battlefield resulting in the surrender of the largest Confederate Army up to that point in the war. Curt has spent years perfecting and researching Grant’s persona, which had the attendees as close as they will ever be to meeting the General himself. Finally, Greg Biggs, a wellknown and highly respected vexillologist, delivered his presentation, “Conquered Banners: Confederate Flags of the Fort Donelson Campaign.” Through his years of extensive research, Biggs shared the stories and images of the beloved banners Confederate troops carried at Fort Donelson. Though the locations of some flags are known, many that we know through soldiers’ period documentation were destroyed right after the battle to prevent them being captured. The highlight of Bigg’s presentation was unveiling a recently discovered flag of the 1st Mississippi Infantry, Company F, Alcorn Rifles. This first pattern national flag was adorned with silver bullion stars and ‘Alcorn Rifles’ in gold paint across the white bar, and to top it off, the red damask silk was adorned with magnolia blooms. It is believed that this flag was made by James Cameron who made other flags using similar patterns and fabric. Many artifacts were displayed thanks to collectors Greg Miller, John Walsh, and Jerry Ross. A few of the interesting pieces on display were a uniform with a mourning sash worn by a pallbearers in General Grant’s funeral procession and an identified sword from a captain of the 44th Indiana Infantry that was presented by the townspeople, and other weapons, images,

CivilWarNews.com and accoutrements that were representative of those used by troops who would have been in the Fort Donelson area between 1862–1865. Kraig Lawson from Cincinnati, Ohio, who attended this year for the first time, described it as a “One-stop smorgasbord of history, serving up a variety of subjects from contemporary authors and historians.” He added, “This symposium is destined to become even larger given the size of the attendance. Seven hours of presentations were delivered on several subjects, captivating the crowd until the end. My only regret is that I didn’t attend the first one, but I am already planning for 2025.”