Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-11-14
FROM the Memphis Argus, 18th instant
The Columbus Battle.
CAMP MOORE, COLUMBUS, KY.

November y, 1861. 80
! About O'Clock, on the morning of the 9TH
inst. three of the Lincoln gun-boats made
their appearance at the point above here, and
opened fire on our batteries who returned
the fire, during which one ball froGa Big
Richmond" disabled one of the gun-boats SO
much that it had to be tOwed back to Cairo.
While the other two and our batteries we're
engaged, the Federals, about seven thousand
in number, under command OF Generals Nc
Ciernand and Grant, were landed above the
point, and marched down behind the en-
campment OF Colonel Tappan's Thirteenth
Arkansas regiment, Walkers battery, from
Louisiana, and the Bolivar Troop (eavalry,)
which was on the Missouri shore, immedi-
ately opposite this place, and after having
almost surrounded them, opened Gre, taking
us completely by surprise.
4 Col. Tappan rallied his men and returned
the fire; WatSon's battery also commenced
firing and did good execuii ion. AT this time
the Thirteenth Tennessee regiment, under the
command of Col. John v. Wright, was then
ordered across the river to reinforce Col. Tap
pan, which they Immediately did. The arri-
val of this regiment afforded some relief to
Tappan, and they fought like DEVILS" yet
the Federals We're too many for them, al
though they ''stood the brunt" of the battle,
and, together with <he Eleventh Louisiana
regiment, kept the enemy in check lor one
hour.
General Pillows division, consisting of
Walkers Second TENNESSEE, Carroll's Eff
teenth Iennessee), Russellis and Picketps
regiments, We're then sent over, and made a
charge, but being ouifanked by the enemy,
were compelled to retreat, at which time
Watson's battery was captured by the Fede-
rails, who, having ohtaiHed possession of Tap
pans camp. brought the guns to the bank of
the river and turned them upon our forces,
who were retreating up the bank, and upon
the steamers Hill, Ingomar, Prince, Charm
and Kentucky, who, fortunately for US, hap
pened to be at the landing when the fight
commenced and which were busily engaged
in carrying oyer reinforcements, ammuni-
tions, etc. $50
Several of the boats were struck, but not
damaged much. The battery of Captain
Lank Smith opened fire upon the Federals
from this side of the river, and with good ef'
feet too; for they Immediately CEASED firing
upon the steamboats,, and returned the ire
of Capt. Smiths battery. tsG ~
Gen. Cheatham now crossed the river, and
rallied the retreating troops-so great was
| the confidence his presence and words in
| spired, and to him lin my opinion,) we are
| Indebted for having won the day. Having
reformed the regiments, he led the desperate
| charge which the Federals were unable tt
Withstand. their lines were broken, and they
| turned and fed. -
While this charge was being made, Col
| Preston Smiths brigade. consisting OF the
| I54th regiment {Tenn9 under command O
| Col. Marcus j. Wright, and the Mississippi
regiment of Lieut. A. K. Blythe. crossed the
river and attempted to cut off the retreat O.
| the enemy, but the flying Yankees" were
too fast; so the 154th and Blythe's regiment
pursued them in s'double quick" lime. about
/ {ive miles above the nopt Along the rOaI
we took number of prisoners, hut did MOI
,oyertake the main portion of the enemy IN
| til they were in the act OF getting on boare
their transports, which they did very hastily
They were so closely pressed that they did
| not have time TO loose their cables, but Gu
them to back out in the stream.
The l54th then opened fire upon them, and
the slaughter was terrible numbers Were
killed that fell in the river, some of the ball
penetrating the bodies of three and four a
| each volley. The gunboats then returned
| the fire, and for about an hour the grape
| canister and shell rained about the boy
thickly, but without mueh damage; the boy
pretty we'll concealed and the Federals find
/ ing that it was a .iosing game" drew OF
| and went up the river.
After having taken possession of seven fin'
| army wagons, several fine horses, ammunl
ton, etc., the l54th returned to camp
/ 1t was a second MANASSAS ront'-th
| road was strewn with overcoats, blankets
| hayersacks, guns, cartridge boxes, coats, cap.
| &C., which the retreating Yankees dropped
in their haste. Every fence coraer had I
| blanket a knapsaek, or a gun In IT tn
! cOrnfields were covered with them, the Fede
rails having retreated in the greatest confu
sion-belter-skelter, every man trying 10 se'
| who would be- first to reach the boatsi the,
| even ran over their wounded comrades.