The Fort Henry & Donelson Campaign

05/29/2026

Save the date!

05/29/2026

Coming up in October! Buy, Sell, and Trade!

Coming up in October our 10th Show!

Fort Donelson Relics

05/26/2026

Its been 3,885 days since Fort Donelson National Battlefield has had a visitors center that is deserving on such hallowed ground.

Since there are so many who have been following, along with the preservation efforts at Fort Donelson, from the Stewart County Mayor Robert Boo Beecham

"Over 10 years in the making! It is with great joy and honor that I finally get to announce construction will resume on the Fort Donelson Visitor Center. This project has been a thorn in our county’s side since the first day I took office and before. We could not have accomplished this goal without the help of Congressman Matt Van Epps, and his Chief of Staff, Sam Nienow. I am sure that the park services are just as excited as I am, as we will be speaking with them this afternoon. This is a great win for Stewart County and the City of Dover. Hopefully, we will be able to bring back the glory and honor that this battlefield deserves. Thank you again to all involved, as this personal goal took a team effort." - Robert Beecham

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DOVER, Tenn. — The National Park Service will resume rehabilitation of the Fort Donelson Visitor Center this summer, advancing efforts to improve accessibility, safety and visitor services at Fort Donelson National Battlefield while preserving one of the park’s most historically significant buildings. The NPS has awarded a contract to National Contracting Services to carry out the work.

The visitor center is a significant Mission 66-era structure whose unique architectural character reflects an important period in National Park Service design. The NPS has invested considerable funding, time, and expertise into rehabilitating this facility and remains fully committed to its completion.

Approximately half of the project work is already completed. Previous contracting efforts, begun in 2015, represent a separate chapter in the visitor center’s rehabilitation history. The current work focuses on completing the rehabilitation using an updated, carefully assessed scope that reflects the building’s needs after years of partial construction. This approach allows the NPS to move forward with clarity and purpose, ensuring the project advances efficiently and with renewed consistency while honoring the structure’s significance and the community’s expectations.

The NPS will continue to share updates on the rehabilitation of the visitor center at Fort Donelson through the park website, news releases and public briefings."

National Park Service

05/24/2026

My friend Jeff Gambrione presenting and discussing the new Vicksburg Visitors Center being built. Very excited for this and can’t wait to see it completed!

A new Civil War museum is coming to Vicksburg and attendees at the Mississippi Department of Archives and History’s “History is Lunch” event got a preview of what will be showcased.

05/18/2026

Just transcribed two letters by William McCord who served in the 8th Missouri Infantry. This regiment was raised in the summer of 1861 and was composed of men recruited from both sides of the Missouri River. This was because Illinois easily met their quotas for volunteers but pro-Southern Missouri’s split loyalties caused them to come up short in supplying soldiers for the Union army. They wore the Zouave uniform and served with distinction during the Civil War, fighting decisive battles under Generals Grant and Sherman. The first letter describes the Battle of Fort Donelson. To read, go to: https://sparedshared23.com/2026/05/14/1862-63-william-mccord-to-his-siblings/

04/29/2026

We are excited to be among these great authors to be considered for this award!

AWARDS ANNOUNCEMENT.—
4 Military Images Stories Named Finalists for 2025 Army Historical Foundation Distinguished Writing Awards

Delighted to share that four stories from Military Images magazine have been named finalists for the 2025 Army Historical Foundation Distinguished Writing Awards:

“Fort Donelson: Early turning point of the Civil War,” by John Walsh
The Union victory at Fort Donelson in February 1862 reshaped the war in its first year and propelled Ulysses S. Grant to national prominence.

“‘Died at Gettysburg’: No Prouder Epitaph Need Any Man Covet,” by Charles T. Joyce
A moving exploration of the life and legacy of Davids, a Philadelphia aristocrat whose sacrifice at Gettysburg resonated through family memory and history.

“On Quinby’s Watch,” by Ronald S. Coddington
Colorado Lt. Ira Quinby, a Signal Corps officer at the 1864 Battle of Westport, helped direct movements that checked Price’s Raid—often called the Gettysburg of the West.

“Bonds of Loyalty,” by Ronald S. Coddington
Two Indiana soldiers who served together in the Mexican War found themselves on opposite sides fifteen years later during the Civil War—a powerful story of divided loyalties.

Presented annually by the Army Historical Foundation, the Distinguished Writing Awards recognize excellence in historical scholarship and storytelling that deepens understanding of the U.S. Army’s past.

Final scores are due from the judges on July 1, with winners to be announced shortly thereafter.

We are proud to see Military Images so strongly represented among this year’s finalists. Since 1979, our mission has been to showcase, interpret, and preserve Civil War portrait photography—pairing compelling original images with research-driven narratives that bring the past to life. These nominations reflect that commitment.

Congratulations to our authors, and our thanks to the Army Historical Foundation for this meaningful recognition.

04/16/2026

We will have copies as well! But so excited that this was worth its own binding! Thank you Military Images!

FORT DONELSON: EARLY TURNING POINT OF THE CIVIL WAR.—
A new special issue from Military Images and John Walsh brings the story of Fort Donelson to life through powerful portraits and firsthand accounts.

Originally published as the cover story in our Winter 2025 issue, this 20-page presentation by John Walsh—founder of Fort Donelson Relics and a lifelong student of the Western Theater—offers a deeply informed and personal look at one of the Civil War’s pivotal early victories.

As Walsh writes, the Union triumph in February 1862 “broke the back of the secession serpent.” The fall of the fort triggered the surrender of 14,600 Confederates, opened vital rivers, and led to the loss of Nashville—while elevating a little-known general, Ulysses S. Grant, to national prominence with his demand for unconditional surrender.

From the twin blows at Fort Henry and Donelson—supported by the ironclads of Andrew H. Foote—to the engagement of more than 40,000 soldiers, this issue captures the human dimension of the campaign through the faces and stories of those who were there.

Walsh, who lives near Fort Donelson National Battlefield, has spent decades preserving relics and advancing understanding of the soldiers who fought on this ground. His work reflects a commitment to responsible collecting, historical research, and battlefield preservation.

Founded in 1979, Military Images is dedicated to showcasing, interpreting, and preserving Civil War portrait photography—and the stories behind the faces.

Get your copy for $10 plus shipping at shopmilitaryimages.com

03/17/2026

03/01/2026

The 4th Annual Civil War Symposium in Dover, TN was our largest yet, with 174 in attendance. Up 40% from last year! Some of the places represented were Akron, Ohio; Vincennes, Ind; Festus, MO; Oxford, MS; Valley Head, AL; and Wellman, Iowa to name a few!
We had a great speakers lineup, with several book dealers and authors! Look through the pics, I’m sure you’ll recognize a few!
Thank you to all that attended and we will see you next year!

02/16/2026

On Feb 16th, 1862 after the fall of Fort Donelson

“Colonel John Calvin Brown (1827-1889) of the 3rd Tennessee Infantry led the 3rd Brigade, Right Wing under Buckner’s command.

The previous day, his brigade had been heavily engaged in Smith’s attack.

On the morning of the 16th, with Confederate high command in flux, Brown found himself temporarily in command of the right wing.

According to one account, a federal staff officer brought Brig. Gen. Grant forward as he passed through the lines to meet Buckner. Grant greeted him, “Colonel Brown, it gives me great pleasure to take by the hand an officer who has made such a gallant defense.”

As Grant rode away, a Confederate lieutenant approached, brandishing his revolver, when Brown grabbed the bridal of the horse and asked the officer where he was going.
“To shoot that damned Yankee officer, and now let loose of my bridle or I’ll shoot you.” Brown drew his own pistol and aimed it at the lieutenant, commanding him to “Drop that pistol”. It is not known if Grant ever learned of this incident."

- Military Images, Winter 2024; John Walshry on