The Confederates
The Confederate Engineers
Major Jeremy Gilmer,and Edward Sayers
A West Point-trained engineer from South
Carolina, Gilmer was tasked by General
Johnston to erect defenses in Middle
Tennessee. Gilmer visited Nashville
Clarksville, and Forts Henry and Donelson
overseeing construction and hiring other
engineers te handle specific sites. For
Clarksville, Gilmer hired Irish-born civilian
engineer Edward Sayers. Sayers began
work on Forts Clark, Sevier, and Terry in
late October 1861 using slaves and available
troops. Sayers laid out another fort on high
ground above Fort Sevier, which was never
built. He later became a Captain of Engineers
in the Confederate Army.
General Albert Sidney Johnston
A Kentucky native, General Albert Sidney
Johnston was considered the top soldier
in America in 1861. He chose to fight
for the South and was given command
of Department No. 2, which included
Tennessee. Johnston's headquarters were
in Bowling Green, Kentucky. After the
fall of Fort Henry, Johnston and the
Confederate forces fell back to Corinth
Mississippi. On April 6, 1862, at the Battle
of Shiloh, Johnston was killed rallying
his troops.
The Union
Flag Officer Andrew H. Foote
Connecticut native Andrew Foote initially
attended West Point but was appointed
an Acting Midshipman in the U.S. Navy
at age 16. Foote served on warships and in
other important posts, rising to Captain
in June 1861. By November, he was Flag
Officer in command of the Western Flotilla
of gunboats. Foote's boats helped capture
Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, and Clarksville.
He died of disease in June 1863.
Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant
Ohio-born Grant graduated from West
Point in 1843 and served in the Mexican
War. After leaving the army in 1854, he
failed in business ventures. In 1861, Grant
joined the Union Army, becoming colonel
of the 21st Illinois Infantry. Rising quickly
to Brigadier General, Grant commanded
the army that captured Fort Henry, Fort
Donelson, and Clarksville. He ended the
war as a Lieutenant General in command
of all Union troops, and in 1869 became
the 18th President of the United States.
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