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

Dover Hotel

Surrender House

Photographed by Craig Swain, September 4, 2010

1. Dover Hotel Marker

Inscription. Built between 1851 and 1853, this hotel accommodated riverboat travelers before and after the Civil War. Confederate General Buckner and his staff used the hotel as their headquarters during the battle. After Buckner accepted what he called Grant's "ungenerous and unchivalrous" terms of surrender, the two generals met here to work out the details. Their conversation was friendly. They had been friends before the war and students together at West Point. Grant conveyed his respect for his opponent's ability, while Buckner bore the defeat with dignity. After the war they would renew their friendship. Buckner would become governor of Kentucky, and Grant the 18th president of the United States.

General Grant's letter to Confederate General Buckner
"No terms except unconditional and immediate surrender can be accepted."

Buckner's reply
"...to accept the ungenerous and unchivalrous terms which you propose."

Erected by Fort Donelson National Battlefield - National Park Service - Department of the Interior.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included

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in the Former U.S. Presidents: #18 Ulysses S. Grant series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1851.

Location. 36° 29.338′ N, 87° 50.191′ W. Marker is in Dover, Tennessee, in Stewart County. It is on Petty Street, on the right when traveling north. Located at stop ten, Dover Hotel, of 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 are within walking distance of this marker: 13,000 Prisoners (a few steps from this marker); C.S.A. Headquarters (within shouting distance of this marker); Rice House (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker

Photographed by Shane Oliver, February 7, 2021

2. Dover Hotel Marker

also named Rice House (within shouting distance of this marker); Surrender House (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Dover Under Fire (approx. 0.2 miles away); To All Who Served (approx. 0.2 miles away); History of the Stewart County Courthouse (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dover.

Also see . . . Fort Donelson. National Park Service site. (Submitted on December 5, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Dover Hotel and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, September 4, 2010

3. Dover Hotel and Marker

Photographed by Craig Swain, September 4, 2010

4. Dover Hotel

Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 13, 2019

5. Dover Hotel

Restored Dover Hotel Room image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Shane Oliver, February 7, 2021

6. Restored Dover Hotel Room

Photographed by Shane Oliver, February 7, 2021

7. Restored Dover Hotel Room

Dover Hotel interior: A display of the surrender that took place and ensuing events image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, July 6, 2025

8. Dover Hotel interior: A display of the surrender that took place and ensuing events

Dover Hotel meeting between Generals Grant and Buckner image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, July 6, 2025

9. Dover Hotel meeting between Generals Grant and Buckner

Dover Hotel with Patriotic bunting from July 4th weekend image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, July 6, 2025

10. Dover Hotel with Patriotic bunting from July 4th weekend

Credits. This page was last revised on July 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 5, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,374 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 5, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on May 10, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. 3, 4. submitted on December 5, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 5. submitted on February 6, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. 6, 7. submitted on May 10, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. 8, 9, 10. submitted on July 7, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina.