(DISCLAIMER) At the 2:08 mark, I misspoke and said February 1863 instead of February 1862. My apologies. It was bound to happen at some point but I'll be more cautious of any slip ups like that in the future.
Loiyaboy - Thanks. I just hate the idea of inadvertently spitting out something inaccurate by accident and misleading someone or damaging the credibility of the content. I appreciate the grace though.
Thanks. Appreciate the kind words. I've actually thought about doing a Civil War battlefield series starting out at Ft. Sumter and then working my north. Once I get a few more under my belt, I'll create a playlist that will make them easier to find and watch.
There are some great ones. I’ve been to Balls Bluff, Chickamauga, Manassas and Chattanooga. I’d recommend Balls Bluff an interesting battle small but still worth a look.
@@TheHistoryUnderground I made a tour in VA in June, from Lexington to Yorktown and up to Gettysburg and Antietam and all in between. Even with lockdowns and all it was an experience not to be forgotten.
The beginning of this video gave me flashbacks to the movie Vacation ... "Sorry folks, park's closed. The moose out front should've told ya". haha Love your work! Even when things don't go your way!
I remember being in school and having a history textbook sitting open on the desk before me. You could speak about something fascinating and couldn't put me to sleep quicker. Now, bring me on a field trip where I could touch, smell, and see all of the wonderful historical artifacts and I was hooked. Now if teachers could combine the 2, and make history more fascinating for kids, you would have so much interest from the younger generation.
That's part of the reason why I've been doing these videos. Even if a student can't go to a place in person, they can take a virtual field trip of sorts through the videos. Thanks for the insight and for watching!
Used to fish ky lake with my dad often as a kid, and we stumbled across fort donelson on our way there one day. We stopped to check it out and were glad we did.
Thanks for covering Ft. Donelson. I had two Great Uncles which were captured there and sent to Camp Morton in Indianapolis and later were involved in a prisoner swap at Vicksburg.
As a new subscriber who happened to have somehow obtained a BS in Native American History with a Minor in US History from the University of Oklahoma, I truly enjoy your channel. Your presentations of places I've read about extensively over the years, coupled with what seems to be my exact taste in music is TREMENDOUS! Keep up the good work, my good Sir!
I find it great that the very first battlefield you went to was Fort Donelson. It is one of my favorites. It was my first as well. I did my senior history degree thesis in college on the place. Just under thirty years it has been favorite. In the same area in Western Kentucky is Columbus Belmont State Park, in Columbus, ky. Go there if want to see almost completely intact earthworks. Go fast because the Mississippi is doing a number on the park. Consider it a prequel as it were to Fort Donelson..
I lived in Dover for a while. Worked at Land Between the Lakes and did alot of different programs with Fort Donelson. Next time you're in the area check out The Homeplace. It's an 1850 living history farm. Worked there for 5 years.
Tech Minded - Thanks! Appreciate that. I really enjoyed this one. They’ve done a good job of leaving this battlefield in a more preserved state. Really wish that I could’ve flown the drone over it though 😕
@@TheHistoryUnderground its all good. I'm sure there's some stock footage out there of a flight over it. I want to visit several southeast battlefields myself if I ever get the time.
I am a huge history buff and i have to say that i absolutely love your channel. By far the best history series I've found. While i really enjoy all of the ww2 videos, i do enjoy these civil war videos even more because there are far less videos on these places. Would really like to see more videos like this one, as well as sites from the revolution. Keep up the good work and thank you very much for sharing
I'll never forget Shilo. The first thing that caught my eye was a large monument that said "Iowa". I stopped my truck and got out to take a picture. But before I could raise the camera, I just started to cry. A very moving experience. I knew that Iowa boys had fought there, but to actually see the place was just overwhelming. Your assertion of visiting historical sights being the best way to learn is spot on. Bless you and safe travels.
@@TheHistoryUnderground - Yes you should! My 23 yr old Son and I walked around the Lower Battery right there where you were at Fort Donelson back in October 2019. Went over and visited the Inn where the Surrender was signed by US Grant. We then visited Shiloh the next day. Truly unbelievable Battlefield. The Peach Orchard and Bloody Pond will definitely pull at your Heart Strings. Thank you for your vids and information. I wish we would have went to Franklin and seen the Carter House...
Glad you got to check out the Fort Donelson Battlefield. Fort Henry is under water now and can’t be visited. Here’s a cool story that I learned about Dover, TN. There was a gentleman by the name of Jack Hinson that lived in the area. He actually greeted General Grant when he was in the area and initially supported the union forces. Union forces mistook his sons for bushwhachers, executed them, decapitated them, and mounted their heads on posts outside of Jack’s plantation in Dover. His home was later burned after he was evicted. After these events, Hinson took up arms against the union as a sniper and targeted union forces coming down the Cumberland and Tennessee rivers. He used a custom made octagonal .50 caliber rifle and was credited between 30-100 union soldiers deaths. The rifle is still in collectors hands today
Really need to get up to Gettysburg! It’s an amazing place and.. oh my the history.. and land marks are great. The cemetery is pretty good also. Worth the drive and it will take at least 3 days to see everything
Cherry Bomb - I’m planning on hitting Gettysburg this summer if at all possible. My plan is to do a video for each day of the battle. I went a few years ago and was shocked by how large the battlefield is. Thanks for watching. If you have any other suggestions on places to go, let me know.
Totally agree. One has to do Gettysburg and watch the film before you go to get a feel of what it was like. Just an incredible place to visit and the place has an aura all its own.
Fort Davidson in the Pilot Knob, Ironton, MO area a very interesting Civil War battle took place. Cannon balls still in the Court House building in Ironton, MO
"During the war a southern editor, wishing to compliment Gen. G. Pillow, wrote a notice of him in which the Gen. was called the "battle-scarred hero," but the typesetter made the phrase read "battle-scared hero." On reading the notice, an irate soldier hied himself to the newspaper office and demanded a correction. This was promised and the next day's paper spoke of Gen. Pillow as a "bottle-scarred hero." It is not known that any further correction was asked for."
Thanks! I really enjoyed this one. Especially seeing it in what seems to be a more original and natural state. Looking forward to hitting more of these sites in the future.
It is here at Fort Donelson where General Grant earned the nickname "Unconditional Surrender". Confederate Brigadier General Buckner asked Grant on what terms would they accept surrender and Grant replied "No terms except immediate and unconditional surrender can be accepted."
Both my great great grandfather and great great great uncle who were in the 32nd Tennessee Infantry CSA fought at Ft Donelson Thank you so much for this great program Keep up the good work sir
Being a relative of the fort's name sake, I appreciate your video. I am just getting started in the history of the Donelson family and have learned a lot from videos like yours. Thank You!
Some 20 years ago I was travelling with some other people and passed the exit to Gettysburg. Because of time we could not stop to visit. It has always been a regret for me. And so now I can visit such sites via the internet. Hope you do more of these. Thanks.
Enjoying your videos. When I was traveling in the South, I wanted to visit this place but did not get to go. I saw Chattanooga and Vicksburg and Shiloh but did not have time to go here. Thanks for sharing.
If you get back to Tennessee please go to Fort Defiance in Clarksville, TN. It is a small park but good history linking it to this battle and the Battle of Nashville.
I’m from Britain and have an interest in the history of the First World War. Over the last 20 years I’ve visited a number of WW1 battlefield sites in France and Belgium. I’m moving to the USA next year as my partner has won a scholarship to study Law at Yale University. Ive been watching your videos to learn about the American Civil War and find them absolutely fascinating. I’m looking forward to visiting some of the sites myself when I come over.
It looks like you had the place all to yourself. I think I saw only one other guy with a camera. Sad, so many of these sites don’t get visited nearly as much as they should. Great video!
marc Smiley - Thanks! There were a few guys there photographing eagles but other than that, it was all mine. I completely agree. These places don’t get visited and appreciated enough. Hopefully people watching and sharing these videos will play a small role in reversing that.
Keep up the great work, JD! I have visited the Fort Donelson National Battlefield twice. A very impressive American Civil War venue. Looking forward to more American Civil War videos.
I reside about an hour, visited and studied the battlefield. There was mention the fort was built by Confederate soldiers and slaves; in the first 2 years of the war, the Union Army had no issue conscripting slaves to build fortification, Ft. Negley in Nashville is one example. Narrator mentioned the Confederates surrendered the fort, failed to mention not all surrender, then Lt. Col. Nathan Bedford Forrest took his command and whomever wanted to escape, through the Union lines to Nashville.
My Great great grandfather, John Eubanks was a Confederate soldier and fought in the Civil War and was captured Feburary 16, 1862 in the battle at Ft. Donelson. He was held as a prisoner of war at Camp Douglas in Chicago, Illinois and was later sent to Vicksburg, Mississippi to be exchanged for captive Union soldiers on September 2, 1862. I have copy of a record of this event and pictures of him in his uniform.
brian curran - Whew. That’s good to hear. I was a little nervous about this one just because I know how passionate people are about the Civil War. Thanks.
I've been here! Btw it was 1862. Also, you really need to go to Vicksburg, such a significant battlefield. "Vicksburg is the key and the key bnb is in my pocket." Lincoln. And here in northern Arkansas we have 2vmajor battlefields which were the key to keeping Missouri. Pea Ridge and Prairie Grove.
Karin - Definitely plan on getting to Arkansas at some point and shooting some content. I also put a disclaimer in the comments and description to correct where I misspoke about the date. Still kicking myself about that. Thanks for watching and for the suggestions.
You surely opened up the Civil War 'Can of Worms' with this episode. Pre COVID. I was planning to explore Western Tennessee & Civil War Sites. The Eagle would be a sign of your success in doing the Episodes of the Civil War. Earthworks against Cannon was realized in much earlier European Warfare. The taking of Fort Henry & then Fort Donaldson saved Kentucky for the Union, opened up Tennessee and got Grant promoted to Three Star General. A Turning Point for the North. Good Stuff. Thanks.
My father and I just went on a Civil War history trip and checked out a bunch of battlefields and forts. Started at Fort Donelson, went to Fort Henry area, went down to Shiloh battlefield and then down to Mississippi to Corinth where the battle for the intersection of two major rail lines crossing took place. You're right, there's nothing like reading about it and then being there where it happened.
Excellent video--planning a trip here next week and was looking for a bit of insight. Thank you. Now a subscriber I look forward to seeing more of your work.
My grandparents home is about 5 miles from fort donelson and I’ve visited it every time I go! My grandma said she had a note from a POW from Alton but I’ve never seen it. They also have several bullets and I’m almost positive they have a cannon ball on their front porch but that’s never been confirmed. I love the history around Dover, Tn.
Great coverage. Have you ever considered doing a piece on Chester, Pa. ( The Crozer estate and later the hospital ) ? I understand that the Crozer Mansion was used as a hospital during the civil war for the service men. Also of that same area is the Pusey House and his association with William Penn. It is located in Upland, Pa. maybe 3-4 miles from the Crozer estate along the Chester Creek.
Nice video - really gives a good idea of what the area is like - hope you keep making them and adding in more details! My ancestor fought here and at Shiloh, so appreciate being able to visit through your work. Thank you!
We were just at Fort Donelson (June 2024). The Visitors Center is still closed. There’s a temporary building being used as a museum, visitors center, and park office in use nearby.
Fort Donelson is the first Civil War battlefield I visited. I'm very, very interested in the Civil War, but living in Illinois all of the major battlefields are so far away. It was a very humbling experience to be standing on that ground, and even though open fields have given way to forest you can still get a sense of the battle, you can almost hear it still in the breeze. And when I went to the cemetery and stood amongst the circle of soldiers from Illinois, that was indescribably chilling, and it is something I will never forget. I'm hoping to visit Shiloh next year, and hopefully an eastern tour including Gettysburg in the next couple of years. I'd love to be in Gettysburg for the 160th.
I use to live in Dover. We would go over to Ft Donelson 3 or 4 times a week to walk. There was a couple bald eagles who had established their home at the Ft and they would have babies every year. We loved watching them. Great to see them go grab dinner out of the river. The Delta Queen Paddle Wheeler would visit once or twice a year. Was exciting seeing that old boat come in.
Just found your channel and I really enjoyed your videos. Just finished a book on Grant's Vicksburg campaign and its awesome to see a video on one of the lesser known battles. Would definitely love to see more Civil War videos. Thank you!
One of the first ones I've ever visited, right after Stones River. Thankfully I have relatives that live over by Paris, TN...gives me an excuse to visit often :D
Thank you for this video very interesting l live in the UK so for us Brits it's not easy to get to see all the Civil War battlefield sites I've been lucky to visit some but as there are so many it's great to see videos like this so you get the feeling you are there so once again thanks. Subscribing now
Oh wow. Thanks so much for that. I'm glad that you are enjoying the channel and getting something out of it. I'd love to get over to Britain someday and shoot some content. You all have a really rich history and we over here have the same issue in that it's not easy to see all of the sites there. I hope that you continue to enjoy the content. We've got some big plans for 2020.
I recall being told by a park employee that when Grant took Fort Henry is was unseasonable warm for a February. The northern soldiers thinking that this was the warm sunny South, began tossing their overcoats and blanks as they marched eastward toward Fort Donelson. Upon arriving at Donelson, the weather turned more winterlike. Brrr!
I would love to get down there and do a video. I was at St. Augustine when I was a little kid, but didn't know the history and couldn't fully appreciate it. Perhaps I'll get down there sooner rather than later.
Grant's victory was not under appreciated. Lincoln appreciated the victory so much that he promoted him to Major General in the Volunteer Army, making him the 8th or 9th highest ranking officer in the Union Army. Also, this victory along with Grant's initiative to get moving is what caused Lincoln to stick with Grant's failures.
I was there in June, '19. Didn't even know it was there and drove past. Quickly turned around and went back. Loved your vid. Like being there again. Just found your channel the other day as a suggestion. (BTW, you didn't miss much at the visitors centre. It was mostly a short film of the site).
Permission to rant? Fort Donelson, cool as it is, is another example of how tragically underfunded the NPS is. The center closed for renovation in 2016! Four years later, it is STILL not done. Now, having said that, I’m just glad the history is there, it is preserved and hopefully, in better context when the work is done. By the way, NPS has outlawed drone flights on all their locations, so forewarned for future visits.
Matthew Periolat - Holy smokes! I didn’t know that it had been closed since 2016. Dang! Well, hopefully people watch and share this video and then visit. Perhaps that’ll help more attention to the site. Thanks for the extra info.
Why the hell do they care if you fly a drone over the site? Next thing you know they will be telling us what kind of toilets and lightbulbs we can use. Oh wait....um gas cans? too late. dang it.
The Response Of General Grant To The Confederate Surrender Ter Is A Classic "No Terms But Unconditional Surrender Are Acceptable!!! I Propose To Move Upon Your Earthworks Immediately!!" After This Response, U.S. Grant's First And Middle Initials Were Said To Stand For UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER.
Hey JD. I was re-watching this and wanted to mention the Dover Hotel, also known as the Surrender House. It is the location where General Buckner surrendered to his old friend. It is open to the public.
That is definitely on my list. I might need to do one series of Civil War sites in the Western Theater and one for the East. Thanks for the suggestion and thanks for watching. If there's anything else in that area that's of interest, let me know.
My great grandfather Alfred Whitfield fought there with the 11th Illinois volunteers infantry regiment company B . He was shot in both legs two in the left one in the right and his second joint finger shot off
I’m a bit late with this comment but hopefully at sometime you’ll visit Fort Fisher. Well worth the trip and they’ve got a fantastic museum down there. Fort Donelson looks somewhat similar to Fort Fisher too. Good fishing and good eatin nearby as well!
I don't know what the guide book looks like now but the most important part of the battle was fought when the Confederates tried to open the Forge Road on the 15th. When I visited that was private property, but I think it is now part of the Park. It is a part of the battle that should get the most attention. The surrender was the result of the failure to break out. It was a very sharp fight. If you are still in the area, I'd recommend seeing that area. I did not get to.
I`d love to see Fredericksburg,and the many sites that made up that battle...My great(x3) grandfather lost his leg during the conflict---Charles Leroy Babson of the 16th Maine.....shipped him up to Rhode Island,where he contracted gangrene,which is another story......the man should`ve had a film made about him.....very proud of the man.........thanx for your dedication.......
(DISCLAIMER) At the 2:08 mark, I misspoke and said February 1863 instead of February 1862. My apologies. It was bound to happen at some point but I'll be more cautious of any slip ups like that in the future.
Its all good!
Loiyaboy - Thanks. I just hate the idea of inadvertently spitting out something inaccurate by accident and misleading someone or damaging the credibility of the content. I appreciate the grace though.
Not a problem with the error. We all do it
you should do a whole series on civil war battlefields. love your channel always great history learned.
Thanks. Appreciate the kind words. I've actually thought about doing a Civil War battlefield series starting out at Ft. Sumter and then working my north. Once I get a few more under my belt, I'll create a playlist that will make them easier to find and watch.
There are some great ones. I’ve been to Balls Bluff, Chickamauga, Manassas and Chattanooga. I’d recommend Balls Bluff an interesting battle small but still worth a look.
@@TheHistoryUnderground I made a tour in VA in June, from Lexington to Yorktown and up to Gettysburg and Antietam and all in between. Even with lockdowns and all it was an experience not to be forgotten.
@@TheHistoryUnderground You wasnt far from The Dover Hotel where Grant accepted the surrender.
Bald Eagle photo bombing your vid was great! 7:40😀
👍🏻
The beginning of this video gave me flashbacks to the movie Vacation ... "Sorry folks, park's closed. The moose out front should've told ya". haha Love your work! Even when things don't go your way!
I remember being in school and having a history textbook sitting open on the desk before me. You could speak about something fascinating and couldn't put me to sleep quicker. Now, bring me on a field trip where I could touch, smell, and see all of the wonderful historical artifacts and I was hooked. Now if teachers could combine the 2, and make history more fascinating for kids, you would have so much interest from the younger generation.
That's part of the reason why I've been doing these videos. Even if a student can't go to a place in person, they can take a virtual field trip of sorts through the videos. Thanks for the insight and for watching!
Used to fish ky lake with my dad often as a kid, and we stumbled across fort donelson on our way there one day. We stopped to check it out and were glad we did.
I finally got to tour Fort Donelson
last year. 🎉 Shiloh Battlefield is only 2 hours away. 🚗
Both are awesome ! 💥 🇺🇸 💥
Thanks for covering Ft. Donelson. I had two Great Uncles which were captured there and sent to Camp Morton in Indianapolis and later were involved in a prisoner swap at Vicksburg.
As a new subscriber who happened to have somehow obtained a BS in Native American History with a Minor in US History from the University of Oklahoma, I truly enjoy your channel. Your presentations of places I've read about extensively over the years, coupled with what seems to be my exact taste in music is TREMENDOUS! Keep up the good work, my good Sir!
Your history traveler segments are the best. Thank you.
Appreciate that!
I find it great that the very first battlefield you went to was Fort Donelson. It is one of my favorites. It was my first as well. I did my senior history degree thesis in college on the place. Just under thirty years it has been favorite. In the same area in Western Kentucky is Columbus Belmont State Park, in Columbus, ky. Go there if want to see almost completely intact earthworks. Go fast because the Mississippi is doing a number on the park. Consider it a prequel as it were to Fort Donelson..
I lived in Dover for a while. Worked at Land Between the Lakes and did alot of different programs with Fort Donelson. Next time you're in the area check out The Homeplace. It's an 1850 living history farm. Worked there for 5 years.
I'll do that! Thanks for the heads up!
Great video as always. Can't wait to see more Civil War history on your Channel
Tech Minded - Thanks! Appreciate that. I really enjoyed this one. They’ve done a good job of leaving this battlefield in a more preserved state. Really wish that I could’ve flown the drone over it though 😕
@@TheHistoryUnderground its all good. I'm sure there's some stock footage out there of a flight over it. I want to visit several southeast battlefields myself if I ever get the time.
@@TrentPierceProjects - Definitely. There's a lot out there to see and learn.
I am a huge history buff and i have to say that i absolutely love your channel. By far the best history series I've found. While i really enjoy all of the ww2 videos, i do enjoy these civil war videos even more because there are far less videos on these places. Would really like to see more videos like this one, as well as sites from the revolution.
Keep up the good work and thank you very much for sharing
Definitely planning on getting to some more of these sites this summer. Thanks for the feedback!
Must have taken lot of men quite a few hours making those earthen wall. Hills....so cool first time seeing this!
I'll never forget Shilo. The first thing that caught my eye was a large monument that said "Iowa". I stopped my truck and got out to take a picture. But before I could raise the camera, I just started to cry. A very moving experience. I knew that Iowa boys had fought there, but to actually see the place was just overwhelming. Your assertion of visiting historical sights being the best way to learn is spot on. Bless you and safe travels.
Definitely need to get to Shiloh at some point. Thanks!
@@TheHistoryUnderground - Yes you should! My 23 yr old Son and I walked around the Lower Battery right there where you were at Fort Donelson back in October 2019. Went over and visited the Inn where the Surrender was signed by US Grant. We then visited Shiloh the next day. Truly unbelievable Battlefield. The Peach Orchard and Bloody Pond will definitely pull at your Heart Strings. Thank you for your vids and information. I wish we would have went to Franklin and seen the Carter House...
That is tough terrain that Grant's army had to march through.
The terrain gave the advantage to the Confederates. Fortunately for Grant, he was facing amateurs.
Glad you got to check out the Fort Donelson Battlefield. Fort Henry is under water now and can’t be visited. Here’s a cool story that I learned about Dover, TN. There was a gentleman by the name of Jack Hinson that lived in the area. He actually greeted General Grant when he was in the area and initially supported the union forces. Union forces mistook his sons for bushwhachers, executed them, decapitated them, and mounted their heads on posts outside of Jack’s plantation in Dover. His home was later burned after he was evicted. After these events, Hinson took up arms against the union as a sniper and targeted union forces coming down the Cumberland and Tennessee rivers. He used a custom made octagonal .50 caliber rifle and was credited between 30-100 union soldiers deaths. The rifle is still in collectors hands today
Really need to get up to Gettysburg! It’s an amazing place and.. oh my the history.. and land marks are great. The cemetery is pretty good also. Worth the drive and it will take at least 3 days to see everything
Cherry Bomb - I’m planning on hitting Gettysburg this summer if at all possible. My plan is to do a video for each day of the battle. I went a few years ago and was shocked by how large the battlefield is. Thanks for watching. If you have any other suggestions on places to go, let me know.
Totally agree. One has to do Gettysburg and watch the film before you go to get a feel of what it was like. Just an incredible place to visit and the place has an aura all its own.
Fort Davidson in the Pilot Knob, Ironton, MO area a very interesting Civil War battle took place. Cannon balls still in the Court House building in Ironton, MO
Another great video and I love the Civil War history. You took me on another journey I'll never see in person. Thank You!
Glad to do it. I'm planning on hitting more sites like this in the future.
"During the war a southern editor, wishing to compliment Gen. G. Pillow, wrote a notice of him in which the Gen. was called the "battle-scarred hero," but the typesetter made the phrase read "battle-scared hero." On reading the notice, an irate soldier hied himself to the newspaper office and demanded a correction. This was promised and the next day's paper spoke of Gen. Pillow as a "bottle-scarred hero." It is not known that any further correction was asked for."
Excellent! Seeing the area brings it to life. Thanks
Thanks! I really enjoyed this one. Especially seeing it in what seems to be a more original and natural state. Looking forward to hitting more of these sites in the future.
I recently covered this big Union early turn in the war. Thank you for your video.
It is here at Fort Donelson where General Grant earned the nickname "Unconditional Surrender". Confederate Brigadier General Buckner asked Grant on what terms would they accept surrender and Grant replied "No terms except immediate and unconditional surrender can be accepted."
Both my great great grandfather and great great great uncle who were in the 32nd Tennessee Infantry CSA fought at Ft Donelson Thank you so much for this great program Keep up the good work sir
Being a relative of the fort's name sake, I appreciate your video. I am just getting started in the history of the Donelson family and have learned a lot from videos like yours. Thank You!
Some 20 years ago I was travelling with some other people and passed the exit to Gettysburg. Because of time we could not stop to visit. It has always been a regret for me. And so now I can visit such sites via the internet. Hope you do more of these. Thanks.
I'm actually hoping to get to Gettysburg this summer as well as some other Civil War sites. Thanks for the kind words and thanks for watching!
I remember visiting Ft Donelson many years ago with my husband and two of my daughters. A very solemn place! Thank you for your history!
Enjoying your videos. When I was traveling in the South, I wanted to visit this place but did not get to go. I saw Chattanooga and Vicksburg and Shiloh but did not have time to go here. Thanks for sharing.
If you get back to Tennessee please go to Fort Defiance in Clarksville, TN. It is a small park but good history linking it to this battle and the Battle of Nashville.
Great video,love to see anything on the civil war !
Thanks! Appreciate that. I'll definitely be hitting more of these types of sites in the future.
I’ve really enjoyed your civil war videos. They are fantastic and it’s just like being there. Thanks for your work on your channel.
Thanks! Appreciate that.
I’m from Britain and have an interest in the history of the First World War. Over the last 20 years I’ve visited a number of WW1 battlefield sites in France and Belgium.
I’m moving to the USA next year as my partner has won a scholarship to study Law at Yale University. Ive been watching your videos to learn about the American Civil War and find them absolutely fascinating. I’m looking forward to visiting some of the sites myself when I come over.
I'm heading there this week. Thanks for the preview.
Excellent content and production!
🙏🏼
It looks like you had the place all to yourself. I think I saw only one other guy with a camera. Sad, so many of these sites don’t get visited nearly as much as they should.
Great video!
marc Smiley - Thanks! There were a few guys there photographing eagles but other than that, it was all mine. I completely agree. These places don’t get visited and appreciated enough. Hopefully people watching and sharing these videos will play a small role in reversing that.
Marc.... ... Nobody appreciates any history nowadays...all these people care about is Facebook and cell phones..😠
Keep up the great work, JD! I have visited the Fort Donelson National Battlefield twice. A very impressive American Civil War venue. Looking forward to more American Civil War videos.
Appreciate that! Yeah, it's a great place to visit. Doesn't seem to have been tampered with very much.
This is just down to road from me and I recently found your channel via the Andersonville video. Great video and even better channel
Awesome, thank you!
I reside about an hour, visited and studied the battlefield. There was mention the fort was built by Confederate soldiers and slaves; in the first 2 years of the war, the Union Army had no issue conscripting slaves to build fortification, Ft. Negley in Nashville is one example. Narrator mentioned the Confederates surrendered the fort, failed to mention not all surrender, then Lt. Col. Nathan Bedford Forrest took his command and whomever wanted to escape, through the Union lines to Nashville.
Andrew Pritchett - Thanks. Appreciate you filling in some of the gaps there. 👊🏻
Where I’m at in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. We have about 4 or 5 of these forts belonging to Bragg and Rosecrans during the Battle of Stones River
My Great great grandfather, John Eubanks was a Confederate soldier and fought in the Civil War and was captured Feburary 16, 1862 in the battle at Ft. Donelson. He was held as a prisoner of war at Camp Douglas in Chicago, Illinois and was later sent to Vicksburg, Mississippi to be exchanged for captive Union soldiers on September 2, 1862.
I have copy of a record of this event and pictures of him in his uniform.
im a lifetime civil war buff and i have to say this video was awesome!
brian curran - Whew. That’s good to hear. I was a little nervous about this one just because I know how passionate people are about the Civil War. Thanks.
Thanks for these videos! It’s like being there.
I've been here! Btw it was 1862. Also, you really need to go to Vicksburg, such a significant battlefield. "Vicksburg is the key and the key bnb is in my pocket." Lincoln. And here in northern Arkansas we have 2vmajor battlefields which were the key to keeping Missouri. Pea Ridge and Prairie Grove.
Karin - Definitely plan on getting to Arkansas at some point and shooting some content. I also put a disclaimer in the comments and description to correct where I misspoke about the date. Still kicking myself about that. Thanks for watching and for the suggestions.
I was at fort donelson a few years ago its pretty neat especially the cannons that are on the river
You surely opened up the Civil War 'Can of Worms' with this episode. Pre COVID. I was planning to explore Western Tennessee & Civil War Sites. The Eagle would be a sign of your success in doing the Episodes of the Civil War. Earthworks against Cannon was realized in much earlier European Warfare. The taking of Fort Henry & then Fort Donaldson saved Kentucky for the Union, opened up Tennessee and got Grant promoted to Three Star General. A Turning Point for the North. Good Stuff. Thanks.
My father and I just went on a Civil War history trip and checked out a bunch of battlefields and forts. Started at Fort Donelson, went to Fort Henry area, went down to Shiloh battlefield and then down to Mississippi to Corinth where the battle for the intersection of two major rail lines crossing took place. You're right, there's nothing like reading about it and then being there where it happened.
Loving your videos man. Thank you.
Well done presentation .Thank you for talking about battles other than in the "east"
Glad you enjoyed it! I have quite a fascination with the war in the Western Theatre.
Good show. I have especially enjoyed your videos from Normandy. My father was a 2nd Ranger and wounded on Dog Green.
Oh my gosh. If there was a way to digitize some of the memories that those men had.......
Great video - really enjoy watching them - thanks!
Thanks! Glad that you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching!
Very good and very interesting vidéo. I apreciate your chanel and the history of the civil war . Thank you from France.
Thanks! I've got quite a bit of Civil War content coming up soon.
You sure get around... And it's much appreciated. This is Real History ! Please like and share. Great videos .
Never fret over getting old .its a privilege denied to so many.
Amen to that
Excellent video--planning a trip here next week and was looking for a bit of insight. Thank you. Now a subscriber I look forward to seeing more of your work.
Thanks! Glad that the videos are proving useful. Appreciate the sub!!!
Thank you for your channel. I really enjoy it. God bless
Absolutely love your videos!
Thank you so much!
My grandparents home is about 5 miles from fort donelson and I’ve visited it every time I go! My grandma said she had a note from a POW from Alton but I’ve never seen it. They also have several bullets and I’m almost positive they have a cannon ball on their front porch but that’s never been confirmed. I love the history around Dover, Tn.
Great coverage. Have you ever considered doing a piece on Chester, Pa. ( The Crozer estate and later the hospital ) ? I understand that the Crozer Mansion was used as a hospital during the civil war for the service men. Also of that same area is the Pusey House and his association with William Penn. It is located in Upland, Pa. maybe 3-4 miles from the Crozer estate along the Chester Creek.
Nice video - really gives a good idea of what the area is like - hope you keep making them and adding in more details! My ancestor fought here and at Shiloh, so appreciate being able to visit through your work. Thank you!
We were just at Fort Donelson (June 2024). The Visitors Center is still closed. There’s a temporary building being used as a museum, visitors center, and park office in use nearby.
Enjoy watching your videos. Especially at places I’ve been like Ft Donelson. I didnt get to see an eagle while i was there. Pretty cool.
I am so much more informed than I was since watching your videos ** Thank you for sharing 😊
Fort Donelson is the first Civil War battlefield I visited. I'm very, very interested in the Civil War, but living in Illinois all of the major battlefields are so far away. It was a very humbling experience to be standing on that ground, and even though open fields have given way to forest you can still get a sense of the battle, you can almost hear it still in the breeze.
And when I went to the cemetery and stood amongst the circle of soldiers from Illinois, that was indescribably chilling, and it is something I will never forget.
I'm hoping to visit Shiloh next year, and hopefully an eastern tour including Gettysburg in the next couple of years. I'd love to be in Gettysburg for the 160th.
Another fine presentation of this Civil War Battlefield......You laid out the details in an easy to follow style...... Thank You..... Kevin Rich
I use to live in Dover. We would go over to Ft Donelson 3 or 4 times a week to walk. There was a couple bald eagles who had established their home at the Ft and they would have babies every year. We loved watching them. Great to see them go grab dinner out of the river. The Delta Queen Paddle Wheeler would visit once or twice a year. Was exciting seeing that old boat come in.
Amazing footage, planning a trip south to hit a few C.W. sites this summer. This is on my list!
You'll really like it. It's been well preserved. Thanks for watching!
Can ya beat seeing a bald eagle while touring a national military park? #Awesome!~
Just found your channel and I really enjoyed your videos. Just finished a book on Grant's Vicksburg campaign and its awesome to see a video on one of the lesser known battles. Would definitely love to see more Civil War videos. Thank you!
Another great video my friend keep up the great work 👍👍
SportCardCollector959 - Thanks! Definitely need to hit some more Civil War sites in the near future.
One of the first ones I've ever visited, right after Stones River. Thankfully I have relatives that live over by Paris, TN...gives me an excuse to visit often :D
Nice! I hope to get over to Stones River one of these days.
Thank you for this video very interesting l live in the UK so for us Brits it's not easy to get to see all the Civil War battlefield sites I've been lucky to visit some but as there are so many it's great to see videos like this so you get the feeling you are there so once again thanks. Subscribing now
Oh wow. Thanks so much for that. I'm glad that you are enjoying the channel and getting something out of it. I'd love to get over to Britain someday and shoot some content. You all have a really rich history and we over here have the same issue in that it's not easy to see all of the sites there. I hope that you continue to enjoy the content. We've got some big plans for 2020.
I recall being told by a park employee that when Grant took Fort Henry is was unseasonable warm for a February. The northern soldiers thinking that this was the warm sunny South, began tossing their overcoats and blanks as they marched eastward toward Fort Donelson. Upon arriving at Donelson, the weather turned more winterlike. Brrr!
Would love to see and hear about the Castillo de San Marco in St Augustine FL.
I would love to get down there and do a video. I was at St. Augustine when I was a little kid, but didn't know the history and couldn't fully appreciate it. Perhaps I'll get down there sooner rather than later.
@@TheHistoryUnderground yes do!!!!?
This video underscores how critical the capture of Fort Donelson was for the Union. Grants victory was underrated and under appreciated.
Grant's victory was not under appreciated. Lincoln appreciated the victory so much that he promoted him to Major General in the Volunteer Army, making him the 8th or 9th highest ranking officer in the Union Army. Also, this victory along with Grant's initiative to get moving is what caused Lincoln to stick with Grant's failures.
You are genuinely the coolest. I haven’t had this much fun learning before I met you and I’ve had some fun ass teachers
Thanks for sharing this with me I have visited there before in fact I live about 45 miles away from Ft.Donelson
I was there in June, '19. Didn't even know it was there and drove past. Quickly turned around and went back. Loved your vid. Like being there again. Just found your channel the other day as a suggestion. (BTW, you didn't miss much at the visitors centre. It was mostly a short film of the site).
Awesome! Thank you!
Permission to rant?
Fort Donelson, cool as it is, is another example of how tragically underfunded the NPS is. The center closed for renovation in 2016! Four years later, it is STILL not done. Now, having said that, I’m just glad the history is there, it is preserved and hopefully, in better context when the work is done.
By the way, NPS has outlawed drone flights on all their locations, so forewarned for future visits.
Matthew Periolat - Holy smokes! I didn’t know that it had been closed since 2016. Dang! Well, hopefully people watch and share this video and then visit. Perhaps that’ll help more attention to the site. Thanks for the extra info.
Why the hell do they care if you fly a drone over the site? Next thing you know they will be telling us what kind of toilets and lightbulbs we can use. Oh wait....um gas cans? too late. dang it.
I went in 2019 and they had two small little visitors center type things, one at the entrance and one at the house where the surrender took place.
@@KermitTheGamer21 The Dover Hotel not a house
I've toured Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania where I had an ancestor from Vermont die. It's surreal to walk where they walked and fought.
Very much so. Hope to get to both of those places at some point.
If you haven't been, you should check out the USS Cario and the battlefield in Vicksburg, and Fort Pickens in Pensacola Fla. Great video.
The Response Of General Grant To The Confederate Surrender Ter Is A Classic
"No Terms But Unconditional Surrender Are Acceptable!!! I Propose To Move Upon Your Earthworks Immediately!!"
After This Response, U.S. Grant's First And Middle Initials Were Said To Stand For UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER.
Yes, he was something else.
Hey JD. I was re-watching this and wanted to mention the Dover Hotel, also known as the Surrender House. It is the location where General Buckner surrendered to his old friend. It is open to the public.
Very interesting as always...great video!
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In the 1960s, they did not keep us off those earthen walls and we played on them all the time. I lived about a mile from this battlefield
Thank you for this great video. I would visit the Fort and Dover but now that the museum is permanently closed I have stopped visiting.
Yeah, I’d like to see them get that back up and running. Thanks for watching!
dont forget about chickamauga and chattanooga. we have a national cemetary and a park on the battle field chickamauga
That is definitely on my list. I might need to do one series of Civil War sites in the Western Theater and one for the East. Thanks for the suggestion and thanks for watching. If there's anything else in that area that's of interest, let me know.
I agree everybody should see the battlefields what these guys went through thank you for the video
They're definitely important places to see.
Another great history video. Thanks
Neodetectorist - Thanks! Appreciate that. I had fun putting this one together.
This is where Grant earned the nickname Unconditional Surrender Grant.
Yes. Thanks for adding that. I meant to include that tidbit when I was filming but completely forgot.
My great grandfather Alfred Whitfield fought there with the 11th Illinois volunteers infantry regiment company B . He was shot in both legs two in the left one in the right and his second joint finger shot off
Was there on August 8 2020
I’m a bit late with this comment but hopefully at sometime you’ll visit Fort Fisher. Well worth the trip and they’ve got a fantastic museum down there.
Fort Donelson looks somewhat similar to Fort Fisher too.
Good fishing and good eatin nearby as well!
I don't know what the guide book looks like now but the most important part of the battle was fought when the Confederates tried to open the Forge Road on the 15th. When I visited that was private property, but I think it is now part of the Park. It is a part of the battle that should get the most attention. The surrender was the result of the failure to break out. It was a very sharp fight. If you are still in the area, I'd recommend seeing that area. I did not get to.
Dang. I wish that I would have had you along. This would have been a much more well informed video. Thanks for the added info and thanks for watching!
It seems like gen.Forrest didn't want to surrender and break out
Another good video mate 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
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I`d love to see Fredericksburg,and the many sites that made up that battle...My great(x3) grandfather lost his leg during the conflict---Charles Leroy Babson of the 16th Maine.....shipped him up to Rhode Island,where he contracted gangrene,which is another story......the man should`ve had a film made about him.....very proud of the man.........thanx for your dedication.......
Very Good....Thanks........
John Kelsey - Thanks! 👊🏻
Great video as always
Thanks! I had fun putting this one together.
I can’t believe I’m at the age where I’m watching civil war videos and visiting battle fields. It came out of nowhere hit 40 and bam
Great video, So nicely done. Thanks sir!
Michael Werdin - Thank you! I really appreciate that. Hope to hit some more Civil War sites in the near future.