Fort Heiman | Feb 6, 1862

The Opportunity

Today, the Trust aims to preserve nearly 1.5 acres at Fort Heiman, a unit of the Fort Donelson National Battlefield that witnessed maneuvers and combat during the Battles of Fort Henry and Jacksonville.

While a small parcel of land, preserving it is critical to protecting its earthworks and expanding public access to the site’s cultural resources. Please consider a donation today to help us close this deal.

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Want to learn more? Visit this page for more information and history related to this campaign.

The History

Fort Heiman was a Confederate earthwork constructed hastily on the high bluffs of the Kentucky side of the Tennessee River. It was built to protect the poorly positioned Fort Henry on the Tennessee side of the river.

When Grant advanced with 15,000 troops in early February 1862, the fort position was untenable. On February 4, Gen. Lloyd Tilghman, who was in charge of both forts, evacuated Fort Heiman. Union troops arrived to find warm stew still on the fire.

The fort’s significance exceeded its bloodless capture. Its fall helped crack the entire Confederate defensive line in the West, triggering retreats from Kentucky and setting in motion the chain of events leading to Shiloh.