Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1861-11-13
The Battle of Belmont.

This was one of the hardest fought bat
ties in the West, the total force on the
Union side was about $500, all Illinois
troops except one Iowa regiment. Gen.
Grant was in command. Gen. McClern-
and accompanied the expedition, and rem
dered very valuable assistance. A CORES
pondent of the Chicago Journal, who was
aa eyewitness. gives a graphic account of
the terrible struggle which he says lasted
from II o'clock in the morning until sun
down:
The design was to reach Belmont just
before daylight, but owing to unavoidable
delays in embarking, it was s O'Clock be-
fore the feet reached Lucas Bend, the point
fixed upon for debarkation. This is about
three miles north of Columbus KY, on the
Missouri side. The enemy were encamped
upon the high ground back from the river,
and about " o and a half miles from the
landing. From their position they could
easily see our landing, and had ample time
to dispose their forces to receive us. which
they did with all dispatch. They also sent
a detachment of light artillery and infan
try out to retard our march and annoy US
as much as possible.
4 line Of battle was formed at onee on
the levce, Col. Fouke taking command of
the center, Col. Buford Of the right, and
Col. Logan of the left.
The advance from the river bank to the
rebel Cncampment was a running fight the
entire distance, the rebels firing and falling
back all the way, while our troops gallant
II received their fire without finching and
brayely held on their way. regardless of
the missiles of death that were flying thick
and fast about them. The way was of the
NEST Indifferent character, lying through
woods with thick underbrush, and only
here aud there a path or rough country
road.
The three divisions kept within close
distance Of each other, pressing over all
obstacles and overcoming all opposition,
each striving for the honor of being the
first in the enemy's camp. This honor
fell to the right division, led by Col. Buford.
Ii was the gallant 9th Illinois, who with
deafening cheers. first waved the Stars and
Stripes in the midst of the rebels camping
ground. The scene was a terribly cxcit-
ing one-musketery and cannon dealing
death and destruction on all sides; men
graphing with men IN a fearful death strug-
gle; column after column rushing eagerly
up, ambitious to obtain a post of danger +;
officers riding hither and thither in the
thickest of the fight, urging their men Oh,
and encouraging them to greater exertions;
regiments charging into the very jaws of
death. with frightful yells and shouts, more
effective as they fell upon the ears Of the
enemy than a thousand rife balls-and in
the midst of all is heard one long, loud
continuous round of cheering as the Star
Spangled Banner is unfurled in the face Of
the foe and dcfantly usurps the mongrel
eolors that had but a moment before desig-
uated the spot as rebel ground.
The 22d boys have the honor of having
silenced and captured a battery. The 30th
had been badly cut up by this battery and
we're straining every nerve to capture it
They express considerable disappointment
.thatth prize was snatched from them
They turned away in search of new %laurels,
aud charging into the very midst of the
camp, were drawn into an ambuscade, where
they again suffered terribly. though main
ing their ground uufincbingly. when the
3ist came to their sssistance,