The Forgotten General Who Influenced U.S. Grant's 'Unconditional Surrender'

With these two words that ended with the surrender of a Confederate army and victory at Fort Donelson, Brig. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant catapulted into the national spotlight. A doctor present at Grant's headquarters, Surg. John Hill Brinton, relates the connection of "unconditional surrender" to Brig. Gen. Charles Ferguson Smith, a feisty career soldier who commanded a division in Grant's army.

Image: Library of Congress

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[ericemmons]

I had never heard of Brig. Gen. Charles F. Smith; thank you for your information about him. It sounds as if he was a great help to Gen. Grant and to the Union cause.

[jguenther]

Gen. Smith should not be forgotten. An excellent video of significant historical interest.

[donhooper]

Dedicated career soldier from 1825, taught at West Point, fought with valor in Mexico, yet again in the Civil War at over 50 years of age, dies from infection from injury jumping into a row boat.. And completely forgotten now.. What cruel irony. Great history Ron!

[bobconnor]

“The weather was inclement..” It will be remembered that there was what we call today an Ice Storm happening during this phase of the conflict, that many Federal soldiers on the 12 mile march from Fort Henry to Fort Donelson had dropped their long coats and blankets on the way because of the deceptively balmy temperatures on the march. When they arrived, they were ordered to not light campfires on the siege line and there were many casualties from exposure (hypothermia/frostbite) Another critical factor in expediting the surrender.

[richiephillips]

Thus, the nickname "Unconditional Surrender (U.S.) Grant". Side note: This nickname was another historical twist from the senator who nominated him for the military academy by listing an incorrect name "Ulysses S. Grant" when his given name was Hiram Ulysses Grant. History is so cool !

[kennethswain]

Always you give us an insightful story thank you

[sbgroen]

Great imagery in this passage. Thank you.

[owensomers]

"It's the same thing, and smoother words"! One has to wonder, with Grant's long history with Buckner, if the wording chosen played on an earlier shared experience.

[statuesdesigns]

Grant spoke very highly of Smith in his memoirs.

[stephencoleman]

My 3rd great grandfather was killed at the battle of Ft. Donelson. He was 50 years old and left behind a wife and ten children.

[garrettz]

This story is a wonderful result of diligent research.

[glenn]

Enjoyed this story very much. Grant is fascinating to me! War was Hell then as it is now.

[KevinCave-rjeq]

Great story run I myself have never heard of general Smith 👍

[arziona]

If anyone reads the history that has been written by so many good authors, I have read this many times. Grant himself spoke very fondly of him.

[nathanappleby]

There was something about the surrender I never understood. When Grant said "no terms except unconditional and immediate surrender can be accepted", Buckner was furious, calling them "ungenerous and unchivalrous". That was something I never before understood. It was a good thing however that they were friendly with each other when they met and Grant paying the debt he owed.

[d.owczarzak]

Wasn't it Smith who advised Grant not to entrench at Shiloh ???

[jpotter]

"No terms to the damn rebels!" ... sorry to say I only know of CF Smith from civil war gaming ... but then wargaming has always done more than reading of texts to familiarize myself with the people and places of the period.

[swarm]

Do one on the black Napoleon?He gay butler Hell Of course, he wasn't black.He was italian in french Any should have had jefferson's job