The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1861-11-14
jVbe Battle ST belmont.
-, corresnondence TO We Chieago Tribane

,uooioI Correspondence to the Chicago Tribune.
Cairo, Nov 8th--l0 P. N.
"Wednesday evening Cairo was a scene Of
,or,e popular interest. The Illinois 9th, part
Of the 39th and 31st regiments, were put in mo-
tion, and marched to the leYee, with rations for
two days Soon they were embarked on sever
al boats, and moved out INTO the stream Cen
erals Grant and McClernand were on board.
AZ Birds Point the Illinois 22nd and Iowa
7tb were nut on board also, Taylor's battery
If LIGHT artillery: At late hour is the night,
onr fleet got fully under way, when the fact was
revealed that we were bound down strean-of
course to Columbus. After moving down some
eight or ten miles, we stopped and lay by untll
near daylight when we moved down to point
come three miles above the Columbus batteries
the two gunboats Lexington and Tyler ieaaing
the way Here our feet, consisting OF nYe
noble steamers and two gun boats went to The
shore on the Missouri side, ana our FORCES were
coon disembarked and formed in order. By
order of Gen. McClernand, the Illinois 9th, I'M
der Col Buford, took the leading and attacking
rosition. In few minutes the whole moved
off from the river. 1t was 11eU knora what was
tn he done. The whole camp at Belmont was
to be taken and destroyed.
Scarcely were the troops out of sight Of the
boats, when our gun boats dropped dawn lit
tie in the stream, and opened fire on the Colum.
bus batteries. The response was prompt, and
for near two hours little was heard but the roar
of heavy guns. Many shot fell near US, some
short. and others beyond, and not fearfully near
us. Shells were seen to burst at great heights
others, after drinking the water. Their large
shot, eighteen inches long and terminating IN
cones. were projected from rihed cannon. These
made horried music as they passed near US.
One struck the river bank within few feet OF
the stern of the boat on which your correspon-
dent had peen left in charge. Only one shot
struck tho gunboat Tyler and killed one gun
ner two others were seriously wounded. The
firing went On, however, until most OF the reo'
ell batteries were silenced. We have since
learned that our guns had done great execu-
ton.
In the meantime, the attack on the rebel camp
was brought on by Col. Buford according tC
programme, with great spirit. Every regiment
fell into its place, and the whole movement wal
sustained with Vigor worthy fyeteran troop!
The enemy proved to be choice body Of troop:
we'll armed, and numbering from four to siz
thousand They fought desperately; but in al
incredible short time the work was done. The
enemy had surrendered, or abandoned their ar
tilery, and were in full flight Over two hun
dred were taken prisoners. Their flag pole Gu
down, their colors taken possession of, and thei
encampment envsloped in flames. The mum
Der of guns, pistols, saDres, and horses taken
was very great
Just at this time, however, q fleet of boat
was observed approaching from Columbus will
over three thousand men. AT the same time
terrific fire of ball and shell opened on on
men from the Columbus batteries. Our fell
pieces opened OF he feet of boats doing fear
full work. Nothing however, delayed thci
progress. In few minutes we were in a hot
ter battle than before. Our men fought nobly
but they were already fatigued and between tn
storm of shot from the heavy batteries of Colum
bus, which caused them to falter. 1t was founC
the place could not be held. In truth, this hat
not been intended. Many of the prisoners hat
escaped, and our men were falling fast Grad
ualy the regiments drew oft, in good order
until all were safe but the 9th First on tn
field, Col. BufOrd was the last to retire. Hi
peril was imminent. The way of retreat betwee
him and our boats was closed and he was
obliged TO find another route All but the 27t
reached the boats in order. The wounded hat
been coming in some time before. Scarca
had all embarked when the enemy appeared il
strength ON the shore, several pieces of artille
ry. 1t was judged best for the boats to pus
out into the stream. At this moment, the hes
music of the day set IN. The two gunboat
turned their heads to the shore, and, each wit
six heavy columbiads, began to pour their death
dealing missiles among the foe. Beside thes
we had on board Taylor's splendid brass Chico
20 battery-all brought safely away-togethe
with two fine brass pieces which we had bon
rOaced of the enemy at Belmont. These ha
plenty of canister and shrapnel, and never di
boys make better use of ammunition. For ha
an hour, it is believed that we averaged a gu
for every second while our men, standing brave
ly on the hurricane decks kept up an inces
SAINT fire of musketry.
For half an hdur as we moved SLOWLY III
the stream, the enemy hung on the shore, en-
deavOring to form and get their guns in posi-
ton. But our colnmbiads were too much 70
them. Several times at the flash of one of Their
l observed dozen men and horses turn SON
er saults together. Several times their gun
were observed to take position. and in mo
ment more were observed ten feet in the all
bottom uppermost Never did fellows fight, o
try to fight, more bravely. They seemed actu
ally to court death at the very muzzleS Of GU
heavy guns; and vast numbers of them sough
it not in vain. But gradually they fell back
and abandoned the pursuit. Such bravery wa
worthy of success.
In the meantime the gallant 9th was sup
posed to uave been cut off and made prisoners
We came away sad at heart. But our sorroI
was of short duration. The detour which Co
Buford had found necessary to get off the field
had thrown him back near a mile from the riy
er. On hearing the heavy firing at the boats
he judged it prudent to keep back, and NOV
parallel with the river, for shot and shell, as W
suspected were thrown toward him, but, as W
hoped, passed entirely over the heads of hi
regiment. When our firing ceased, he judge
that the enemy had fallen back, and venture
to approach the river. His signal was readil
understood and at point five miles abov
where we had taken on the other troops, til
9th was taken on in good order, and we reach
ed Cairo about ten o'clock at night. Strangel
enough, after all the efforts Of the enemy,
could not learn that anything larger than mu:
ket balls had struck our boats, and very fe'
of them. Certainly not a man was hurt on on
boats,
The numbers of our killed and wounded
not yet known. l have helped dress the wound
of over hundred, Of five different regiments
but of all these not more than three are thougi
dangerous, Some are known to have been le
dead, and prehaps a few wounded, on the felC
A flag Of truce goes down this morning to brin
Off the dead and wounded, that may have bee
left We brought away over hundred an
thirty prisoners.
haze been through some of the regiment
to-day, and a more undaunt set of men | hay
never seen. After all that we have lost, W
can NOV calculate on our army for twice tn
service and efficiency Of which we, two day
ago, thought them capable. G.
From Fortress Monroe.
FORT MONROE, Nov. "A physician of tn
4,lG IL !,