Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-11-14

II| M-4dlet " DophylDHANf' 'S' ~"s~'@~
nstely Il seems to deserve such an epithet, Is
beginning to be eClipsed BY more cheering
news. We shall probably, have 70 wait some
time yet before we obtain the precise facts as
to the Belnout aGsiS Tho, synopals by tele'
graph Of the Official report oi Gen. GaASr Is far
from satisfactory, HesiStes that the object OF
the expedition was u prevent Reinforcement be.
ing sent to PalcEs and slso from cutting on
q column that had been sent out rom OAirO
and Cape Girardeau In pursuit Of JEFF. THoMf-
SON, asF- Z, w 70 a ,gEk u,
This column was composed, as we learn from
other sources, Of six regiments Of infantry q
squadron Of cavalry, and several pieces OF neid
artillery, uddsr, the command Of Col oGIIAPY'
Il was accompanied by large train OF wagons
and had fourteen days' psoyisions. ID left on
Sunday, THE Sd inst, and at the latest dates
from Cairo nothing definite had been heard
from its Wheibsfh has me, and routed JErE'
THomPsoN, or fallen into bis hands or those Of
some other rebel leader, Is as yet uncertain.
According TO Gen. GRASr's report, herequest'
ed Gen. SMITH, commanding A. Paducah, to
make demonstration, Il the direction OF Co.
lumbus, KY, probably as afeint to divert the
attention Of the enemy from that point II
seems that Gen. sMrTH did send out two detaeh
ments with orders not tOOpprOaeh within fifteen
miles of Columbus. Gen, GIANT himself also
sent small force over to the Kentucky side
with orders not to approach nearer than within
twelve miles Of Columbus, Whether these
several feints or diversions were carried out &C
cording. to Gene AGRkSs,s programme, or we're Of
any real service, Is not yet made manifest.
Gen. GRlNr left Cairo on Wednesday, the 9Th
inst, with force, he says, Of two thousand
eight hundred men, and q, daylight reached a
point just out Of the reach Of the rebel guns,
where the troops were debarkedj and matched
one mile toward Belmont uSoon the enemy ap-
peared in force; general engagement ensuea'
and the rebels were driven back and pursued
two miles to their encampments on the river
bank at Belmont. Our men charged upon the
encampments, forcing the rebels down the river
bank to their transports on the river. Orders
were given for the. destruction Of the enemy's
property, as there were no wagons or other
msans for its removal. How far these orders
we're complied with, does not appear, from the
mesgre report of Gen. GKAST.s ''' '~'>-F
IL appears that our troops, while in possession
of Belmont, we're in d critical condition, being
within range of the ebemy's guns from colum-
bus, on the,opposite side of the river. Sudden
ly they were surprised by the appearance of the
rebels, who must have crossed the river above
them, or emerged from some concealed locality
They "sttempted,n sayB Gen. GRANT, "to sur
round De - which rneans, we presume, that they
stroys to cut of the retreat Of our men p their
boats. A fierce engagement followed, il which
our troops, after hard fighting and heavy loss'
defeated" the, enemy, according to General
GRANT; which means, il seemsJ that they cue
ceeded inTeaching theft boats under aiterfible
fire, ana effecting their retreat baektO Cairo. aa
Our loss Gen, GRANr puts down at s. killed,
$50 wounded and $50 missing 3s5, Or 235
killed and missing. The lowest estimate we
have seen from other sources places our loss at
$50. Gen. GRANr says nothing about the pris-
oners aud trophies spoken of in other accounts,
as having been brought away by our troops; but
perhaps the Generals full official report will
supply details omitted by the telegraph. ~