On this date 150 years ago, Federal troops under General Grant himself started an expedition to Fort Donaldson near Dover, Tennessee, in preparation for the upcoming attempt to seize that Confederate position. Confederate troops were ordered into the area as the Kentucky defences deteriorated further. Meetings among Confederate Generals Johnston, Beauregard and Hardee attested to the severity of these most recent military developments between North and South.

Roanoke Island saw the advance of General Burnside's forces. Commodre Goldsborough succeeded in overcoming some minor Southern positions there, and later in the day Burnside's troops landed.

On the Tennessee River, Union guns destroyed two Confederate transports.