Dover in Stewart County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Buckner's Defense

Photographed by Shane Oliver, February 21, 2021

1. Buckner's Defense Marker

Inscription. To stop the Confederate break-out attempt on February 15, Grant sent his reorganized troops against the Confederate left. At the same time, to take advantage of the weakened enemy line, he sent C.F. Smith's Division against the Confederate right. Smith's forces rolled over the Confederate outer defenses and pushed the Southerners back to a position along the ridge in front of you. There the charge was halted by Buckner's forces who had arrived just as the Union assault had begun. Afterwards, Buckner paid tribute to the field artillery for its role in checking the Yankee advance. The strong new defensive position on the ridge and the coming of night ended the fighting. The Union forces grudgingly withdrew to the old Confederate defensive line. In this desperate fighting several hundred men lost their lives. Many of them still lie in this area in unmarked graves.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1738.

Location. 36° 29.206′ N, 87° 51.641′ W. Marker is in Dover, Tennessee, in Stewart County. It is on Fort Donelson Park Road, on the right when traveling south. Located at stop five, Buckner's Defense, on the driving tour of Fort Donelson National Battlefield. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Dover TN 37058, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Middle Tennessee

and in the Highland Rim.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers

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are within walking distance of this marker: Buckner's Division (within shouting distance of this marker); Confederate Monument (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fort Donelson Confederate Monument (approx. 0.2 miles away); Union Camp (approx. ¼ mile away); Lauman's Brigade (approx. ¼ mile away); Seizing the Initiative (approx. 0.3 miles away); Jackson's Virginia Battery (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named Fort Donelson (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dover.

Other markers no longer nearby. Fort Donelson (was approx. 0.3 miles away but has been confirmed missing); Federal Troops and Casualties at Fort Donelson (was approx. 0.3 miles away but has been confirmed missing); Confederate Troops and Casualties at Fort Donelson (was approx. 0.3 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . . Fort Donelson. National Park Service site. (Submitted on November 17, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Photographed by Craig Swain, September 4, 2010

2. Buckner's Defense Marker

Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 14, 2019

3. Buckner's Defense Marker

Hillside and Split-Rail Fence near Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Shane Oliver, February 21, 2021

4. Hillside and Split-Rail Fence near Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 10, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 17, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 929 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 10, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. 2. submitted on November 17, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on February 6, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. 4. submitted on May 10, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia.