Cannoneer's To Your Posts!

Have you ever wondered what it was like to work as part of a Civil War era cannon crew? Join a ranger to learn how artillerists worked together to load and fire a cannon. This program will also offer an interactive experience, allowing visitors to participate by going t......More

Have you ever wondered what it was like to work as part of a Civil War era cannon crew? Join a ranger to learn how artillerists worked together to load and fire a cannon. This program will also offer an interactive experience, allowing visitors to participate by going through a mock cannon loading drill. The program will take place at Porter’s Battery located across from the visitor center parking lot. Programs are weather dependent and for visitor and staff safety, will be canceled due to severe weather. For questions, please call the visitor center at 931-232-5706 or send an email to [email protected]. 

Porter's Battery, Fort Donelson National Battlefield Visitor Center.

“Blow everything you know”: Civil War Bugle Calls

Buglers played an important role in the American Civil War. Child and adult buglers issued daily orders throughout camp, provided orders on the battlefield, and helped rally troops.Fort Donelson National Battlefield is proud to provide an interpretive program on Civil W......More

Buglers played an important role in the American Civil War. Child and adult buglers issued daily orders throughout camp, provided orders on the battlefield, and helped rally troops.Fort Donelson National Battlefield is proud to provide an interpretive program on Civil War buglers and their use at Fort Donelson. Join us and hear some of the bugle calls soldiers at Fort Donelson heard over 160 years ago.

Lower River Battery, Tour Stop 4.

“Iron Valentines”: The Naval Battles of Forts Henry and Donelson

Join a park ranger who will discuss the intense engagements between Federal ironclads and Confederate shore batteries. These actions transformed riverine warfare during the Civil War. 

Lower River Battery, Tour Stop 4

An Unprecedented Victory: The Surrender at Fort Donelson

Join rangers to learn about the historic surrender that took place at the Dover Hotel and about the meeting of Confederate commanders to decide the fate of their army. The decision to surrender changed the course of the Civil War, and the landing below the hotel witness......More

Join rangers to learn about the historic surrender that took place at the Dover Hotel and about the meeting of Confederate commanders to decide the fate of their army. The decision to surrender changed the course of the Civil War, and the landing below the hotel witnessed thousands of prisoners of war boarding boats for prison camps.

Dover Hotel (“Surrender House”), Tour Stop 10, 101 Petty St., Dover

"...for us to be dedicated...": Fort Donelson National Cemetery

Learn about the history of Fort Donelson National Cemetery and how it was part of a new national effort to memorialize Union Civil War dead.

Fort Donelson National Cemetery, Tour Stop 11, 174 National Cemetery Drive, Dover

"You Came Here to Die": Brig. Gen. Charles F. Smith and the Taking of Fort Donelson

Join a ranger who will recount the determined Union assault up a snow-covered ridge and explain how the attack sealed Union success and a Confederate defeat.

Smith's Attack, Tour Stop 5