dismissed him without even listening to the details of his plan.
Most officers would have been completely discouraged by such
treatment, but Grant had been accustomed to disappointments for
many years and did not readily despair. Meeting Flag-Officer Foote
who had charge of a fleet of gun boats near Cairo, he explained
his idea and finding him not only sympathetic, but enthusiastic,
he and Foote each sent a telegram to Halleck assuring him that Fort
Henry could be taken if he would only give his consent. These
messages brought no immediate response, but Grant continued to
request permission to advance until, on the 1st of February, 1862,
the necessary order was obtained and within twenty-four hours the
persistent officer had his expedition well upon its way.

His force consisted of some 15,000 men and seven gun boats, and
Halleck promised him reenforcements, sending a capable officer to
see that they were promptly forwarded. This officer was Brigadier
General Sherman who thus, for the first time, came in touch with
the man with whom he was destined to bring the war to a close.
Four days after the troops started they were ready to attack and
the gun-boats at once proceeded to shell the fort, with the result
that its garrison almost immediately surrendered (February 6, 1862),
practically all of its defenders having retreated to Fort Donelson
as soon as they saw that their position was seriously threatened.

Grant promptly notified his Chief of this easy conquest, at the
same time adding that he would take Fort Donelson within forty-eight
hours, but he soon had reason to regret this boast--one of the
few of which he was ever guilty. Indeed, his troops had scarcely
started on their journey when rapid progress became impossible,
for the rain descended in torrents, rendering the roads impassable