Clarksville in Montgomery County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Bringing the War to Clarksville
The Confederates
The Confederate Engineers Major Jeremy Gilmer and Edward Sayers
A West Point-trained engineer from South Carolina, Gilmer was tasked by General Johnston to erect defenses in Middle Tennessee. Gilmer visited Nashville Clarksville, and Forts Henry and Donelson overseeing construction and hiring other engineers te handle specific sites. For Clarksville, Gilmer hired Irish-born civilian engineer Edward Sayers. Sayers began work on Forts Clark, Sevier, and Terry in late October 1861 using slaves and available troops. Sayers laid out another fort on high ground above Fort Sevier, which was never built. He later became a Captain of Engineers in the Confederate Army.
General Albert Sidney Johnston
A Kentucky native, General Albert Sidney Johnston was considered the top soldier in America in 1861. He chose to fight for the South and was given command of Department No. 2, which included Tennessee. Johnston's headquarters were in Bowling Green, Kentucky. After the fall of Fort Henry, Johnston and the Confederate forces fell back to Corinth Mississippi. On April 6, 1862, at the Battle of Shiloh, Johnston was killed rallying his troops.
The Union
Flag Officer Andrew H. Foote
Connecticut native Andrew Foote initially attended West Point but was appointed an Acting Midshipman in the U.S. Navy at age 16. Foote served on warships and in other important posts, rising to Captain in June 1861. By November, he was Flag Officer in command of the Western Flotilla of gunboats. Foote's boats helped capture Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, and Clarksville. He died of disease in June 1863.
Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant
Ohio-born Grant graduated from West Point in 1843 and served in the Mexican War. After leaving the army in 1854, he failed in business ventures. In 1861, Grant joined the Union Army, becoming colonel of the 21st Illinois Infantry. Rising quickly to Brigadier General, Grant commanded the army that captured Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, and Clarksville. He ended the war as a Lieutenant General in command of all Union troops, and in 1869 became the 18th President of the United States.
Erected 2008 by the City of Clarksville.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, US Civil • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #18 Ulysses S. Grant series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 6, 1862.
Location. 36° 32.48′ N, 87° 22.381′ W. Marker is in Clarksville, Tennessee, in Montgomery County. Marker can be reached from A Street, 0.1 miles south of Walker Street. Located at the Fort Defiance Civil War Park & Interpretive Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 120 Duncan Street, Clarksville TN 37042, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Freedmen's Camp and the USCT (within shouting distance of this marker); Life as a Garrisoned Union Soldier (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Defiance Interpretive Center (within shouting distance of this marker); Building Fort Sevier (Defiance) (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Defiance (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Fort Defiance (within shouting distance of this marker); Forts Versus Ironclads (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Tobacco Trade and the Rivers (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Clarksville.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 3, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 416 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 10, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. 2. submitted on January 3, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 3. submitted on May 10, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. 4, 5, 6. submitted on January 3, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.