fact that the Union had at last won a fight in which the numbers
neared, and the losses much exceeded, those at Bull Run itself,
the further fact that this victory made a fatal breach in the
defiant Southern line beyond the Alleghanies, and the delight of
discovering another, and this time a genuine, hero in
"Unconditional Surrender Grant," all combined to set the loyal
North aflame with satisfaction, pride, and joyful expectation.
Great things were expected in Virginia, where the invasion had
not yet begun. Great things were expected in the Gulf, where
Farragut had not yet tried the Mississippi. And great things were
expected to result from Donelson itself, whence the Union forces
were to press on south till they met other Union forces pressing
north. The river campaign was then to end in a blaze of glory.

Donelson did have important results. Johnston, who had already
abandoned Bowling Green for Nashville, had now to abandon
Nashville, with most of its great and very sorely needed stores,
as well as the rest of Tennessee, and take up a new position
along the rails that ran from Memphis to Chattanooga, whence they
forked northeast to Richmond and Washington and southeast to
Charleston and Savannah. Columbus was also abandoned, and the
only points left to the Confederates anywhere near the old line
were Island Number Ten in the Mississippi and the Boston
Mountains in Arkansas.

But the triumphant Union advance from the north did not take
place in '62. Grant was for pushing south as fast as possible to
attack the Confederates before they had time to defend their
great railway junction at Corinth. But Halleck was too cautious;
and misunderstandings, coupled with division of command, did the