Despite General Grant’s usual promptness, he did not arrive in time to intercept the flight of the garrison.  As a consequence the prisoners surrendered, including General Tilghman and his staff, numbered less than a hundred.  The others fled overland to Fort Donelson, only to be compelled to surrender shortly afterward to Grant in what proved to be the first great Union victory of the war.

The severity of this battle is shown by the fact that Foote’s ship was struck 31 times, the Essex 15, and the Carondelet 6.  The total number of killed, wounded and missing was 48.  The success was so decisive that Foote was applauded throughout the North, sharing the well-earned honors with General Grant, whose successful career is known to every boy in the land.

Foote now steamed down the river to Cairo and began the ascent of the Cumberland, to assist General Grant, who was marching overland to the attack on Fort Donelson.  Dauntless as was the courage of the naval leader, he knew his task was a hopeless one.  He had not only lost the Essex, but Fort Donelson was greatly superior in strength to Fort Henry.  The water assault, however, was deemed a military necessity, and he did not hesitate.

On February 14 he advanced resolutely to the attack with his two wooden gunboats and four partial ironclads.  The tremendous land batteries opened on this weak force the moment it came within range, and the results were of the most destructive nature.  As usual, the chief attention was given to the flagship, which was struck again and again by the flying shot and shell.  Undismayed by the awful tempest, Foote pushed steadily onward, cool, calm, hopeful and prepared for the worst.

His pilot was a brave man, but under the frightful fire he began to show a nervousness that caught the eye of Foote.  Walking up to him, he placed his hand in a kindly manner on his shoulder and spoke encouragingly to him.  While he was doing so, the poor fellow was torn into pieces by a shot, and the captain himself was badly wounded in the foot by a flying splinter.  Paying no heed to the bleeding member, he limped about the boat, swept by the iron hail, and gave his orders as coolly as before.  But the shot that killed the pilot also smashed the wheel, and the unmanageable boat began drifting down stream.  The tiller ropes of another boat were also cut about the same time, and she also floated helplessly with the current.  The Confederates increased their fire, and the other two boats, also greatly damaged, followed the flagship, and the ferocious fight that had lasted more than an hour was over, with the Union flotilla badly repulsed.

The flagship had been struck 59 times, and 54 had been killed and wounded on the different ships; but Foote would have maintained the fight, with a fair probability of success, but for the destruction of his steering gear.

Grant and Foote now formed a plan for the capture of Nashville, but on the eve of starting were stopped by a telegraphic order from General Halleck not to allow the gunboats to go further up the river than Clarksville.  Foote was greatly disappointed, and, absolutely certain of capturing the city, telegraphed for permission to do so, but it was refused.  Thus he was left no alternative but to return to Cairo.