Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-11-15
From rhe Atlantic Coa,,.
Gen. Grant. Acsounr Of hi. Defeat.

From rhe Cincinnati Gazette, Nov. III
From q private letter OF Gen. Grant to bis
father, h%urriedly written on The night Of the sth.
we are permitted 20 extract the following:
Day before Yesterday / left Cairo with abont
1000 men in 1--WE steamers, conveyed by Two
gunboaJs, and proceeded down the Hyer to with
in about twelve miies Of Columbus. The ney1
morning the boats dropped down iust out of
range of the enemy's batteries, and the froops
debaTked. During this operation our guuboats
exercised the rebels by throwing shells into their
camps and batteries.
When all ready we proceeded about one mile
toward Belmont, opposite Columbus. when /
formed the troops into line, and ordered two
companies from each regiment to depioy as Skin
mishers, and push on through the woods and
discover the position Of the enemy. They had
gone but a little way when they were fired upon.
and the ball may be said 10 have fairly opened.
The whole command, with the exception OF a
small reserve. was then deplOYed in like manner
and ordered forward. The order was obeyed
with alacrity, the men all showing great c6ur-
age. ] can say with great qualification thar
every colonel, without a single exception, set an
example TO their commands that inspired a con-
hdence that viii always insure victory when
there is the slightest possibility Of gaining one.
/ feel truly proud % command such men.
ItttI NIC VIC luaIAl olI WY UhlU tTte 10
tree through the woods TO Belmont, about two
ana a half miles, the enemy contesfing every
foot of ground. Here the enemy had strength
ened their position by telling the trees for W
or three hundred yards, aud sharpening their
limbs, making q sort Of abatis. Our men
charged through, making the victory complete,
giving Us possession Of their camp and garrison
equipage, artillery, and everything else
We got q great many prisoners. The MAORI
ty, however succeeded in boarding their steamers
and pushing across the river. We burned every
thing possible aud started back, having accom-
piished all that we went for, and even more.
Belmont is entirely covered by the batteries
from Columbus, and is worth nothing as q milf
tary position-caunot be held without Columbus.
The object OF the expedition was to prevent
the enemy from sending a force into Missouri to
cut of troops / had sent there for a special pm-
pose, and TO prevent reinforcing Price.
Besides being well fortified at Columbus, their
number far exceeded ours, and i would have
been folly to attacked them. We found the
COnfederstes well armed and brave. On our
return, stragglers that had been left in our rear
NOW 'front.' fired into rs, and more recrossed the
river and gave as battle for q full mile, aud
afterward at the boats when we WeTeembarking.
There was no hasty retresting or running
away. Taking into account the object of the
expedition, the victory was most complete. Ii
has given 10 confidence in tue officers and men
of this command, that viii enable Us to lead
them in any future engagement without fear Of
the result. Gen. McClenand, who, by the way.
acted with great GOODNESS aud courage through
out, and proved that be is q soldier as well as a
salesman, and myself each had our horses shot
under us. Most of the field officers met with
The same loss, beside nearly p]pethird OF ihem
being themselves killed or pqundai As near as
] con ascertain, our loss was abnlt $50 killed,
wounded SRd missing |