Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1861-11-21
THE BELMONT BATTLE.
GEN. GRANTS OFFICIAL REPORT.
rf-. N.,,o Nov 10

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| report Of the Belmont battle: On the
evening Of the 9th inst. / left this place
with $3.50 men, all armed, TO make
reconnaissance toward Columbus =
The object of the expedition was to
prevent the enemy from sending on.
re-enforcements to Price's. army in
Missouri, and also from cutting off two
small columns that had been directed
to send out from this place and Cape
Girardeau in pursuit Of JEFF. Thomp-
son. Knowing that Columbus was
strongly garrisoned, ] asked Gen.
Smith. commanding at Paducah, Ky,
to make demonstrations in the same d.
rection. He did so by ordering small
force to May6eld and another in the d.
rection OF Columbus. not to approach
nearer, however, than 12 or Is miles.
/ also sent a small force on the Ken
tucky side, with orders not to approach
nearer than Elliott's Mills, some twelve
miles from Columbus.
The expedition under my immediate
command was stopped about nine miles
below here. on the Kentucky shore,
and remained until morning, All this
served to distract the enemy. and led
him to think be was to be attacked in
his strongly fortified position.
| At daylight we proceeded down the
river to a point Just out Of range Of
the rebels guns and debarked on the
Missouri shore. From here the troops
were marched by flank for about one
mile toward Belmont. and then drawn
up in line, one battalion having been
left as a reserve near the Transports
Two companies from each regiment.
FIVE skeletons in number, we're then
thrown out as skirmishers to ascertain
the position Of the enemy.
II was but few minutes before we
met him and q general engagement
ensued.
The balance OF my forces, with the
exception of the reserve, was then
thrown forward, all as skirmishers, and
the enemy was driven. foot by foot and
from tree to tree, back to their encamp-
ment on the river bank, distance Of
over two miles. Here they had strength
ened their position by telling the timber
for several hundred yards around their
camp, and making a sort of abatis.-
Our men charged through this. driving
the enemy over the bank into the trans
ports in quick time. leaving us in pos
session of everything not exceedingly
portable.
Belmont is on low ground, and every
foot of it commanded by the guns on
the opposide shore, and Of course could
not be held for single hour alter the
enemy became aware OF the withdraw
al of their troops. Having no wagons
l could not move any Of the captured
property, and consequently gave orders
for its destruction Their tents, blank
els, DC, were set on fire, and we retired,
taking their artillery with US, two pieces
being drawn by hand and one by an in
efficient team, we're spiked and left in
the woods. We brought two to this
place.
Before getting fairly under way, the
enemy made his appearance again, and
attempted to surround US. Our troops
were not in the least discouraged, but
charged on the enemy and again de-
feated him. Our loss was about eighty
Eve killed and one hundred and fifty
wounded-many of them slightly
and about an equal number missing.
Nearly all the missing were from the
Iowa regiment, which behaved with
great gallsntry, and suffered more Sc
verely than any other troops. 81
/ have not been able to put in the re-
ports from sub commanders, but will
forward them as soon as received. All
the troops behaved with much gallant
~, much of which is to be attributed
to the coolness and presence Of mind Of
the officers; particularly the Colonies.
Gen. McClernand was in the midst OF
danger throughout the engagement and
displayed both GOODNESS and judgment.
His horse was three times shot, my
horse was also shot under me.
To my staff, Captsins Rawlins, Logan
and Hillyer, volunteer aids Captains
Hatch and Graham, am much indebt,
ed for the assistance they gave. Col.
Webster, acting Chief Engineer, also
accompanied me, and displayed highly
soldier-like qualities. Col. Dougherty,
of the Twenty-second Illinois Volun-
teers, was three times wounded, and
taken prisoner. - s.l
The 7th Iowa Regiment lost their
LieutenantsC Colonel killed, and their
Colonel and Major were severely woun-
ded.
The reports to be forwarded win de-
tail more fully the particulars Of our
loss.
Surgeon Briuton was in the field du-
ring the entire engagement, and dis
played great ability and efficiency in
providing for the wounded, and organ
izing the medical corps.
The gunboats Tyler and Lexington.
Captains. Walker and Slemhel. U. s.
n, commanding, conveyed the expedi-
tion and rendered most efficient service.
Immediately upon our landing they en-
gagged the enemy's batteries. and pro-
tecled our transports throughout.
am, Sir, very respectfully,