[BroJoeK]

Somewhere over the years, but now can't find where, I read that an important but forgotten result of Grant's victories at Forts Henry & Donelson was they put an end to Jefferson Davis' plans to invade Illinois.

Has anybody else seen that, and can you cite a reference?

[Bull Snipe]

First time I have read of a plan to invade Illinois. Bragg invaded Kentucky in June of 1862. The campaign ended in failure. Had Bragg been successful in Kentucky, then Southern Ohio and Southern Indiana might have been considered for further operations. With the Union holding a big portion of West and North Tennessee, Illinois would appear to be out of the question. JMO