Fort Donelson National Battlefield in Dover, Tennessee, preserves the site of the first major Union victory in the Civil War. In February 1862, forces under Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant captured the Confederate river fortification on the Cumberland River after a combined land and naval assault. The surrender of roughly 12,000 Confederate troops — the largest surrender of American forces up to that point — opened the door for Union control of middle and western Tennessee and earned Grant the nickname "Unconditional Surrender" Grant. The battlefield was established as a national military park in 1928 and redesignated a national battlefield in 1985.
📚 Learn More at NPSHistory.com →Fort Donelson NB in TN preserves a piece of American history that the public has trusted the National Park Service to protect and interpret. The interpretive materials at this site have been developed over years by historians, subject-matter experts, and park staff — and are now being reviewed under Secretary's Order 3431.
Why this matters: Fort Donelson NB is part of a network of over 400 national parks that serve as America's classrooms. The interpretive materials here were developed by subject-matter experts to help visitors understand the full story of this place. When historically accurate content is removed, the public loses access to its own history.
Three panels telling the story of the Free State community that grew around the union Fort Donelson (current location of Fort Donelson National Cemetery).
The story of Fort Donelson NB is inseparable from the lives of the people who were enslaved here — including Free State. For generations, their stories went untold. The interpretive materials now targeted for review were created to ensure these voices would finally be heard.
Why this matters: The history of slavery at Fort Donelson NB was suppressed for generations. The materials now being targeted represent decades of work by historians, descendants of enslaved people, and community advocates to ensure these stories are finally told. Removing them would re-erase history that has only recently been acknowledged.
Free State wayside located at entrance to National Cemetery. Wayside tells story of creation of Free State through the efforts of those escaping enslavement.
Fort Donelson NB stands as one of America's most significant Civil War sites. The events that unfolded here shaped the nation's future — and the interpretive materials that tell this story have been developed over decades by historians and park staff committed to factual accuracy.
The flagged materials include content from “Confederate Monument magnet with flag in background”, “Confederate Monument sticker with flag in background”, targeted for review under the current directive.
Why this matters: Fort Donelson NB commemorates events that shaped the course of American history. The interpretation here has been developed by professional historians over decades and reflects scholarly consensus. For the thousands of students who visit each year, this is often their first direct encounter with the realities of the Civil War — including its root cause in slavery.
3 sales items in Eastern National store representing Confederate battle flag: -Confederate Monument magnet with flag in background -Bag of Confederate toy soldiers with Confederate battle flag -Confederate Monument sticker with flag in background
The story of Fort Donelson NB is inseparable from the lives of the people who were enslaved here — including Joseph Glatthaar, Civil Rights, John David. For generations, their stories went untold. The interpretive materials now targeted for review were created to ensure these voices would finally be heard.
The administration has flagged for review content that includes the language: “The Civil War's Black Soldiers”, “History of Civil Rights in America”, “Guidebook to African American History in the National Park Service”, and “Slavery: Cause and Catlyst of the Civil War”.
Why this matters: The history of slavery at Fort Donelson NB was suppressed for generations. The materials now being targeted represent decades of work by historians, descendants of enslaved people, and community advocates to ensure these stories are finally told. Removing them would re-erase history that has only recently been acknowledged.
List of titles in Eastern National bookstore needing review per EO 14253 or SO 331:
-"The Civil War's Black Soldiers“ by Joseph Glatthaar. Eastern National publication.
-”History of Civil Rights in America“ Eastern National publication.
-”Guidebook to African American History in the National Park Service“. Eastern National publication
-”Slavery: Cause and Catlyst of the Civil War“ Eastern National Publication
-”Black Soldiers in Blue--African American Troops in the Civil War“ by John David Smith.
-”Uncle Tom's Cabin“ by Harriet Beecher Stowe
-”Jack Hinson's One Man's War: A Civil War Sniper“ by Tom McKenny
-”Nathan Bedford Forrest: A Biography“ by Jack Hurst
-”The Confederacy's Greatest Calvaryman-Nathan Bedford Forrest“ by Brian S. Wills
-”She Went to the Field: Women Soldiers of the Civil War" by Bonnie Tsui
Fort Donelson NB in TN preserves a piece of American history that the public has trusted the National Park Service to protect and interpret. The interpretive materials at this site have been developed over years by historians, subject-matter experts, and park staff — and are now being reviewed under Secretary's Order 3431.
Why this matters: Fort Donelson NB is part of a network of over 400 national parks that serve as America's classrooms. The interpretive materials here were developed by subject-matter experts to help visitors understand the full story of this place. When historically accurate content is removed, the public loses access to its own history.
Film for historic Surrender House (Tour Stop #10) references human trafficking as taking place at that location.
At Fort Donelson NB, the National Park Service has worked for years to document and interpret the history of slavery at this site — a history that was ignored for much of the park's existence. The exhibits, waysides, and publications now under review represent a hard-won commitment to telling the complete American story.
The administration has flagged for review content that includes the language: “Under Union Occupation”, “slaves seeking safety...”, “Forrest Stages a Raid”, and “An Unfinished Fort”.
Why this matters: The history of slavery at Fort Donelson NB was suppressed for generations. The materials now being targeted represent decades of work by historians, descendants of enslaved people, and community advocates to ensure these stories are finally told. Removing them would re-erase history that has only recently been acknowledged.
Waysides for Fort Heiman unit: “Under Union Occupation” references “slaves seeking safety...” “Forrest Stages a Raid” refers to Nathan B. Forrest's activities at the site. He is considered my most a very controversial figure. “An Unfinished Fort” references to “slave labor” used in the fort's construction.
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