Confederates launch a surprise attack on the Mississippi River to keep the Federals from continuing downstream to capture Fort Pillow and Memphis.

Exploring the most important 55 months in American history
Confederates launch a surprise attack on the Mississippi River to keep the Federals from continuing downstream to capture Fort Pillow and Memphis.
John Pope readies his Federal army to capture strategic Island Number 10 on the Mississippi River with naval support.
Federal advance deep into western Tennessee this month as Confederates gather in northern Mississippi to counterattack.
The Confederate try breakout out of the Federal grip around Fort Donelson before deciding on whether or not to surrender.
Federal army and navy forces attack Fort Donelson on the Cumberland River, but they find the defenses much stronger than Fort Henry.
Ulysses S. Grant plans to follow up the victory at Fort Henry by capturing a much stronger Confederate fort in Tennessee.