On February 6, 1862, Union forces led by Flag Officer Andrew Hull Foote captured Fort Henry from Confederate forces in a decisive 75-minute naval bombardment. This victory secured Union control of the Tennessee River and marked a crucial turning point in the Civil War's Western Theater.

The Battle of Fort Henry marked a crucial turning point in the American Civil War when Union forces launched their first major offensive in the Western Theater. On February 6, 1862, Union gunboats under Flag Officer Andrew Hull Foote bombarded the Confederate stronghold on the Tennessee River, leading to a significant Union victory.

This strategic battle opened the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers to Union control and demonstrated the effectiveness of ironclad gunboats in warfare. The confrontation at Fort Henry preceded the more famous Battle of Fort Donelson and helped establish Union General Ulysses S. Grant's reputation as an aggressive and capable military commander. The victory also proved instrumental in splitting the Confederacy and securing a crucial foothold for Union forces in Tennessee.

Fort Henry emerged as a critical Confederate defense position along the Tennessee River in 1861, establishing a crucial checkpoint for controlling river traffic between Kentucky and Tennessee.

Fort Henry's location on the eastern bank of the Tennessee River provided the Confederacy with a strategic advantage for monitoring river movements. The fort's position near the Kentucky-Tennessee border created a defensive line that protected Nashville from Union advances. Built on low ground near the river, Fort Henry featured 17 guns positioned to control river traffic along with earthwork defenses extending to nearby heights.

The Union's Tennessee River Campaign centered on capturing key waterways to split Confederate territories. Flag Officer Andrew Hull Foote's flotilla of seven gunboats, including four ironclads (USS St. Louis, USS Carondelet, USS Cincinnati USS Essex), formed the core of the Union naval force. General Ulysses S. Grant coordinated a joint army-navy operation targeting Fort Henry as part of the broader strategy to penetrate the Confederate heartland.

Fort Henry Military Assets	Confederate Forces	Union Forces
Artillery Pieces	17 guns	35 naval guns
Total Personnel	2,610 men	15,000 men
Gunboats	0	7 (4 ironclad)

The Battle of Fort Henry commenced at 12:30 PM on February 6, 1862 when Union gunboats opened fire on Confederate positions. The engagement lasted approximately 75 minutes before Confederate forces surrendered at 1:45 PM.

Heavy winter rains created challenging conditions at Fort Henry during the February battle. The Tennessee River rose 20 feet above normal levels, submerging the fort's lower batteries under 4 feet of water. This flooding:

• Disabled 8 of the fort's 17 guns
• Restricted Confederate troops' movement within fortifications
• Created muddy conditions that hampered artillery operations
• Limited defensive positions to higher ground
• Forced 2,000 Confederate soldiers to relocate to high ground before the battle

Weather Impact Statistics	Measurement
River Level Rise	20 feet
Submerged Gun Batteries	4 feet underwater
Disabled Guns	8 out of 17
Duration of Heavy Rain	2 weeks prior
Temperature	40°F (4°C)

The severe flooding compromised Fort Henry's defensive capabilities by creating pools of standing water throughout the fortification. Confederate General Lloyd Tilghman noted in his official report that only 9 guns remained operational due to the rising waters, significantly reducing the fort's ability to resist the Union assault.

The Battle of Fort Henry featured experienced commanders on both sides, each bringing distinct leadership styles to the engagement.

Flag Officer Andrew Hull Foote commanded the Union naval forces during the battle, leading a flotilla of seven gunboats. A 49-year veteran of naval service, Foote earned recognition for his innovative use of ironclad vessels in river warfare. His tactical approach emphasized concentrated firepower, positioning four ironclad gunboats - the USS Essex, USS Cincinnati, USS Carondelet and USS St. Louis - at the forefront of the assault. During the 75-minute bombardment, Foote's strategic deployment of vessels maximized their armor protection while maintaining sustained fire on Fort Henry's defenses.

Brigadier General Lloyd Tilghman, a West Point graduate with prior service in the Mexican War, led the Confederate defense at Fort Henry. Commanding 2,610 men, Tilghman faced significant challenges from environmental conditions including flooded fortifications. Upon recognizing the fort's untenable position, he evacuated the majority of his forces to Fort Donelson, maintaining a small artillery crew of 70 men to cover the retreat. Tilghman personally operated one of the remaining operational guns during the battle before surrendering to protect his remaining troops from unnecessary casualties.

Commander	Forces	Experience
Andrew H. Foote	7 gunboats, 35 naval guns	49 years naval service
Lloyd Tilghman	2,610 men, 17 guns	West Point graduate, Mexican War veteran

The Battle of Fort Henry unfolded through a series of coordinated naval attacks on February 6, 1862. Union forces executed a precise offensive strategy that capitalized on the fort's compromised defenses due to flooding.

The Union gunboat flotilla initiated their assault at 12:30 PM, positioning their vessels in a tactical formation 1,700 yards from Fort Henry. Four ironclad gunboats—USS Cincinnati, USS Carondelet, USS St. Louis USS Essex—formed the primary attack line while three wooden gunboats provided supporting fire from the rear. The bombardment concentrated on specific targets:

• Upper battery positions received concentrated fire from multiple vessels

• Direct hits disabled 5 Confederate guns within 30 minutes

• USS Essex sustained a critical hit to its boiler resulting in 32 casualties

• Union ships fired 400 shells during the engagement

• Confederate return fire achieved 59 hits on Union vessels

• 12 officers 82 enlisted men became prisoners of war

• Union forces captured all remaining artillery pieces

• Confederates destroyed supplies before capitulation

• Official surrender documents signed aboard USS Cincinnati

• Union forces raised their flag over Fort Henry at 3:00 PM

Battle Statistics	Confederate Forces	Union Forces
Initial Guns	17	35
Operational Guns	9	35
Casualties	5 killed, 11 wounded	11 killed, 31 wounded
Duration	75 minutes	-

The capture of Fort Henry marked a turning point in the Civil War's Western Theater, establishing Union control over crucial waterways and creating opportunities for further strategic advances.

The Union victory at Fort Henry secured complete control of the Tennessee River, enabling Federal gunboats to penetrate deep into Confederate territory. This control disrupted Confederate supply lines, eliminated river-based commerce between Kentucky and Tennessee and provided a direct route for Union forces to access Alabama and Mississippi. The river's accessibility allowed Union forces to transport troops, supplies and equipment with greater efficiency, establishing critical supply lines that supported subsequent military operations in the Western Theater.

• A secured staging area for troops and supplies
• Enhanced intelligence about Confederate defensive positions
• Elevated morale among Union soldiers after their first significant victory
• Tactical insights about Confederate defensive capabilities
• Control of river approaches to Nashville

Strategic Gains	Confederate Losses
17 artillery pieces	Control of Tennessee River
94 prisoners	Key supply routes
2,610 small arms	River fortifications
Complete river access	Naval presence in region

• The Battle of Fort Henry occurred on February 6, 1862, lasting approximately 75 minutes from 12:30 PM to 1:45 PM
• Heavy flooding severely impacted the battle, submerging Fort Henry's lower batteries under 4 feet of water and disabling 8 of 17 Confederate guns
• Union forces led by Flag Officer Andrew H. Foote overwhelmed Confederate defenders with superior numbers (15,000 vs 2,610) and naval power (7 gunboats)
• Confederate General Lloyd Tilghman surrendered the fort after evacuating most troops, with only 12 officers and 82 enlisted men becoming prisoners
• The Union victory secured control of the Tennessee River, providing a crucial strategic advantage for future operations in the Western Theater

The Battle of Fort Henry on February 6 1862 stands as a decisive moment that shifted the trajectory of the Civil War. The Union's triumph demonstrated the devastating power of ironclad gunboats and established a crucial foothold in Confederate territory. Through a combination of strategic planning superior firepower and favorable weather conditions the Union forces secured a victory that would echo through the remainder of the war.

This battle's outcome reshaped the Western Theater by opening vital waterways and paving the way for future Union victories. The capture of Fort Henry proved that the Union's military strategy was working and helped establish Ulysses S. Grant as one of the war's most capable commanders.