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After capturing Fort Henry along the Tennessee River the Union army with 15,000 men led by Ulysses S. Grant attacks Fort Donelson, a Confederate fort on the Cumberland River. At Fort Donelson Grant sends the message: "No terms except unconditional and immediate surrender can be accepted. I propose to move immediately upon your works." The fighting lasts for three days, Grant’s forces take 12,000 Confederate prisoners and 40 cannons from Fort Donelson. This cuts off the Confederate supply line from the western territories.