To Washington he telegraphed that the victory was due to General C.F.

Smith; "promote him," he said, "and the whole country will applaud." On the 19th there was published at St.Louis a formal order thanking Flag-officer Foote and myself, and the forces under our command, for the victories on the Tennessee and the Cumberland.

I received no other recognition whatever from General Halleck.

But General Cullum, his chief of staff, who was at Cairo, wrote me a warm congratulatory letter on his own behalf.

I approved of General Smith's promotion highly, as I did all the promotions that were made.
My opinion was and still is that immediately after the fall of Fort Donelson the way was opened to the National forces all over the South-west without much resistance.