Doyle, I agree that the Battle of Fort Donelson was small on the WBTS scale of heavy fighting, but there were many killed and wounded.

Union losses were 2,691 (507 killed, 1,976 wounded, 208 captured/missing), Confederate 13,846 (327 killed, 1,127 wounded, 12,392 captured/missing).

At this time of the War, prior to Shiloh, that was a lot of bloodshed. And as far as strategy and tactics, the Confederate breakout attempt should have succeded and it nearly did.

Fort Henry was absolutely indefensible, yet the brave artillery crew of 70 men with only 9 effective cannons raked hell on the Union gunboats before flood waters and fatigue forced them to surrender. They won the body count in that one even more lopsided.

Fort Donelson was ultimately indefensible also. I believe Grant gets too much credit for this victory that could have been avoided by more prudent leadership from the Confederate command.

The aftermath, occupation of Middle Tennessee by Union soldiers, was indeed brutal for the civilian population. In some ways, just as bad as the Union occupation in Kentucky.