Tilghman is remembered as brave and gallant in surrendering with his men, but he was derelict in his duty by abandoning the command of his garrison, which was responsible for the defense of both Henry and Donelson.
Tilghman huskes for sit mod og tapperhed ved at overgive sig sammen med sine mænd, men han var efterladende i tjenesten ved at opgive kommandoen over sin garnison, som havde ansvaret for forsvaret af både Fort Henry og Fort Donelson.