In part three of this series I look at five Louis Kurz lithographs depicting battles from the first few months of 1862. The emphasis appears to be on Union victories, which is no surprise given Kurz’s background and Chicago location.
Battle of Fort Donelson
Fort Donelson was one of the two forts guarding access the Tennessee River. Since the navy was unable to ground it into submission as it did Fort Henry, General Ulysses S. Grant had to start siege operations. The heaviest fighting came when the Confederates attempted to break out. They actually had a chance to escape, but their trio of incompetent commanders passed on it. The fort surrendered on February 16 and the Union now had a major invasion route into the South.
