The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1861-11-14
BATTLE AT BELMONT. EY.

'"N
BATTLE AT BELMONT. KY.
a closely contested battle was fought at
Belmont. Kentucky. on Thursday, the 9Th
inst, by troops from Cairo, H.. and the
Confederates stationed at Belmont The
Federals were the attacking party,
and, as has been too frequently the case.
underestimate the number against which
they had 10 contend. and were compelled
to retreat, after having fairly gained the
victory. Out of the voumnous tele-
graphic details, it is almost impossible TO
get comprehensive account of it within
the space we have to devote tosit. The
following. from the Cincinnati Gazette, is
probably the most authentic brief account
of the affair yet
From private letter of General Grant
to his father, hurriedly written. on the
night Of the 8th, we are permitted to ex-
tract the following:
Day before Yesterday left Cairo with
about 5000 men, in five steamers, con-
yeyed by two guu>goats, and proceeded
down the river to within about twelve
miles Of Columbus. The next morning
the boats were droppedRdown jus: out of
range Of the enemy's batteries. and the
troops debarked. During this operation
our gun-boats exercised the rebels by
throwing shells into tteir camps and bat
teries. When all were ready we pro
ceeded about ono mile toward Belmont,
opposite Columbus, when l formed the
troops into line, and ordered two compa-
MES from each regiment to deploy as Skin
mishers. and push on through the woods
and discover the position of the enemy.
They had gone but little way when they
were fired upon, and the ball may be said
to have fairly opened.
:" The whole command, wit, the excep-
tlon OF small reserve, was then leployed
In like manner and ordered forward.
The order was obeyed with great alacrity.
the men all showing great courage. ! can
say with great satisfaction that every Col
onel, without single exception, set an ex-
ample to their commands that inspired
confidence that will always insure victory
when there is the slightest possibility Of
gaining one. ! feel truly proud to com
mand such men,
From here we fought our way from
tree to tree through the woods to Belmont,
about two and half miles. the enemy
contcnding every foot of ground. Hero
the enemy had strengthened tleir position
by telling the trees for two or three hun
dred yards, and sharpening their limbs,
making a sort of sbatis. Our men charged
through, making the victory complete,
giving US possession of their camp aud
garrison, equipage. artillery. and every.
thing else.
We got great many prisoners. The
majority. however, succeeded in getting
aboard their steamers and pushing across
the river. We burned everything posi-
BILE. and started back, having accom- plished
what we went for, and even more. Bel
mont Is entirely covered by the batteries
from Columbus, and ia worth nothing as
a military position-cannot be held without
Columbus.
% The object Of the expedition was TO
prevent the enemy from sending force
into Missouri To aut off troops | had sent
there for special purpose to prevent ie-
enforcing Price.
"Besides being well fortified at Column
bus their number far exceeded ours, and
it would have been folly to have attacked
them. We found the Confederates well
armed and brave. On our return strag-
glers that had been lefs in our rear (now
'front.' fired into us. and more re.crossed
the river and gave us battle for full a mile.
and afterward at the boats whom We we're
embarkiug.
There was no hasty retreating or run.
ming away. Taking into account the objec,