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rison of Fort Donelson numbered twenty-one
thousand. "The Federal superiority in num-
bers was more than balanced by the Confed-
erate superiority of position: the fort itself
stood on a bluff one hundred feet above the
river, dominating also the country to the rear,
while well-planned intrenchments occupied the
ridges, all approaches blocked with abatis, . .

"Operations against Donelson began with a
poor outlook for the Federals. The weather,
so mild at first as to lead many of the inexperi-
enced troops to throw away their coats and
blankets, became cold and stormy. For a day
or two Grant's force was distinctly inferior,
and might have been attacked to advantage by
an enterprising foe. But his front was bold,
and his reinforcements arrived in time." In
addition the three Confederate Q-enerals -—
Floyd, Pillow, and Buckner — were not in har-
mony, and no aggressive attack was made by
them at a time when it would have been most
effective.²⁷ '

The Second Iowa Begiment was transported
by water from St. Louis to Fort Donelson
where it arrived on the 14th of February.
Heavy skirmishing had occurred on the 13th,
but the first determined attack was not made
till the next day by the gunboats under Foote,
Meanwhile the army proceeded with the invest-
ment, which on the evening of the 14th was



	30 rison of Fort Donelson numbered twenty-one thousand. "The Federal superiority in num- bers was more than balanced by the Confed- erate superiority of position: the fort itself stood on a bluff one hundred feet above the river, dominating also the country to the rear, while well-planned intrenchments occupied the ridges, all approaches blocked with abatis, . . "Operations against Donelson began with a poor outlook for the Federals. The weather, so mild at first as to lead many of the inexperi- enced troops to throw away their coats and blankets, became cold and stormy. For a day or two Grant's force was distinctly inferior, and might have been attacked to advantage by an enterprising foe. But his front was bold, and his reinforcements arrived in time." In addition the three Confederate Q-enerals -— Floyd, Pillow, and Buckner — were not in har- mony, and no aggressive attack was made by them at a time when it would have been most effective.²⁷ ' The Second Iowa Begiment was transported by water from St. Louis to Fort Donelson where it arrived on the 14th of February. Heavy skirmishing had occurred on the 13th, but the first determined attack was not made till the next day by the gunboats under Foote, Meanwhile the army proceeded with the invest- ment, which on the evening of the 14th was