The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1861-11-21
THE BATTLE OF BELMONT.
Especial correspondence Of the Chicago Tribune
CAIRO, November so p. NJ


regiments, we're put in motion and
marched to the lsvoe, with rations for
two days. Soon they we're embarked on
several boats, aud moved out into the
stream. Generals Grant and MoCler-
nand we're on board. At Birds Point
the Illinois 22d and Iowa 7th we're put
on board; also, Taylor's battery Of light
artillery.
AT late hour in the night our feet
got fully under way, when the fact was
revealed that We we're bound down
stream, Of course to Columbus. After
moving down some eight or ten miles,
wo stopped and lay by until near day
light, when we moved down to a point
some three miles above the Columbus
batteries, the two gunboats Lexington
and Tyler leading the way. Here our
feet, consisting Of Eve noble steamers
and two gunboats, went to the shore on
the Missouri side, and our forces were
soon disembarked and formed in order
BY order of Gen. McClernand, the Ili-
nOis Twenty under the com
mand of Col. Buford, took the leading
and attacking position. In a few mo-
ments the whole moved off from the
river. It was we'll known what was to
be done. The whole camp at Belmont
was TO be taken and destroyed.
Scarcely were the troops out Of sight
Of the boats, when our gunboats
dropped down a little in the stream, aud
opened FIRE on the Columbus batteries.
The response was prompt, and for near
two hours little was heard but the roar
Of heavy guns. Many shot fell near
as, some short, and others beyond, and
not a few fsarfully near us. Shells
were seen to burst at great heights; 9th
srs, after striking the water. Their
large shot, eighteen inches long and
terminating in cones, we're projected
from rihed cannon. These made horrid
music "a they passed near us. One
struck the river bank within a few feet
Of the stern of the boat on which your
correspondent had been left in charge
Only one shot struck the gunboat Tyler
and killed one gunner; two others were
seriously wounded. The firing wenl
on, however, until most of the rebeI
batteries we're silenced We have since
learned that our guns had done grea
execution.
In the meantime, the attack on tho
rebel camp was brought on by Cl. Bu
ford, according to programme, will
great spirit. Every regiment fell int
its place, and the whole movement wa
sustained with a vigor worthy of veteran
troops, The enemy proved to be Z
choice body of troops, we'll armed, anC
umboring from four to six thousand
They fought desperately; but in an in
credibly short time, the work was done
The enemy had surrendered, or aban
: donod their artillery, and were in fuI
, Eight. Over two hundred we're taker
, prisoners. Their flag pole was Gu
! down, their oolors taken possession OIL
and their encampment envelopod i
] flames. The number of guns, pistols
q sabers, and horses taken, was YER
9 great.
/ Just at this time, however, a feet {
+ boats was observed approaching fror
z Columbus with over three thousan
. men. At the same time a terrific fire {
, ball and shell opened on our men frol
. the Columbus batteries. Our field piece
opened on the fleet of boats, doing foal
ful work. Nothing, however, dclaye
;. their progress. In a few minutes "
!. we're in a hotter battle than before. -
! Our men fought nobly, but they wei
= already futigued, and with the storm
|, shot from the heavy batteries of Coluu
!, bus, which caused them to falter, it W,
y, found the place could not be held
3 truth, this had not been intended -
4 Many Of the prisoners had escaped, an
4 our men we're falling fast. Gradual
the regiments drew Of, in good orde
until all we're safe but the 9th. Fir
= on the field, Colonel Buford was Il
; last to retire. His peril was imminen
~ The way Of retreat between him on
= our boats was closed, and he was obligt
- to fnd another route. All but the 27t
n reached the boats in order. The woun
= ed had been coming ia some time b
fore, Scarcely had all embarked VIII,
/, the enemy appeared in strength on Il
shore, with several pieces Of artillery
no II was judged best for the boats 10 pa,
out into the stream. At that momer
N the best music Of the day set in. The ty
gunbOats turned their heads TO the shor
% aud, each with six heavy columbia
> began to pour their death. dealing mi
silos among the foe Besides these, y
d, had on board Taylor's splendid bra
+. Chicago battery-all brought safe
a. together with two fine bra
pieces which we had borrowed Of q
enemy at Belmont. These had plcn
h. Of canister aud shrnpnel, and never d
q boys make better use of ammunition.
~ For half an hour it is believed that
TO averaged a gun for every second, VIII
,e our men standing bravely on the hur
IN cane deck, kept up an inoessaut fire
le musketry,
er For half an hour, as We moved slow
n. up the stream, the enemy hung on t
n. shore, endeavoring TO form, and 3
he their guns in position, But our oolu
." biads we're too much for them. Sever
n, times at the fash Of one Of them, I a
ce served a dozen men aud horses tu
s. somersaults together Several tia
ms their guns were observed to take po
IN ton, and In a moment more we're
ls- served ten fact in the air, bottom upp
a most, Never did fellows fight, or Try
in hght moro bravoly They seemed
m tually to court death at the very mr
zles Of our heavy guns; aud vast nu