The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-11-13
The Battle of Belmont.

The Battle of Belmont.
The details of this battle so far as the 7th
Iowa, in which we take so painful an inter.
est is concerned, havenot been recieyed.-I
The fullest accounts come through Illinois
sources, and are measurably confined to their
own regiments.
1t is certain, however, that The fight was
one Of the most desperate Of the war, and
Col. Lauman's Regiment occupied proni.
nent position, did the hardest part of the
fighting, and sustained the heaviest loss.
1t appears from the Chicago papers that
the entire loss of the 9TH Regiment in killed,
wounded and missing, is $50, of whom 6s
were taken prisoners, and are in Hospital at
Columbus
We have been able to find the names of
only the following: W. W. Farley, Orderly
of Kittredge's Co. +. is reported killed. We
should be glad to hope that this might be a
mistake, but can hardly do so Capt. C.
w. kittredge, I. o. Barnes, I'd Lieut., W.
w. johnson, Corporal, and VIM. Carroll,
Sergeant, all of Co. F., are prisoners. The
number reported killed, wounded and mis-
sing, OF Co. F. is - Co. l. Of the same
Regiment, the Eddyville Company, from this
county, also lost IL in killed, wounded and
missing. Such are the reports.
Belmont is in Missouri, three miles above
Columbus and II below Birds Point. The
object seems to have been to take the place
on account of its strategic Importance.
Some 4 Illinois Regiments, the 7th Iowa,
two batteries and a Cavalry force, in all
some $500 men, under Generals Grant and
McClernand, constituted the expedition. =
Gen. Payne, commanding at Paducah, was to
attack Columbus simultaneously, which he
appears not to have DONE
The expedition was conveyed down tn,
river in steamers and two gun boats. They
landed at point three miles above Belmont,
at 8 a. m, instead Of before day, as vas in
tended. The enemy, by means probably of
spies, had got wind Of the attack and was
fully prepared to repel it, with force Of
1000 men. The advance from the landing
had to be contested every inch, and against
continual storm Of leaden hail, but our
men fought with such desperate courage
that the camp was stormed and finally burn.
ed, and the rebels dispersed, with the loss of
all their stores, arms and equipments. Their
cannon were taken and spiked. but had to
be left. A large number Of prisoners, some
accounts say 200, were taken.
But It unfortunately turned out that the
rebels OH the Kentucky side, not being oc
cupied by Gen. Payne, opened destructive
fire upon our troops, and at once threw
across reinforcements. A knowledge Of
this fact compelled our men to abandon their
prize as soon as taken, and retire to their
boats. But in the mean time large rebel
force had landed in their rear, and they were
forced to fight their way back at immense
additional loss. They succeeded however,
IN doing so, and returned to their camps at
Cairo and Bird Point. ...... r..a
This action, while it illustrates he bravery
OF our troors, at the same time shows the
same lamcntablc and fatal want Of discretion,
and foresight on the part of those who plan.
ned it, as has characterized so many other
. bloody but fiuitless movements of our army.
No practical results were attained, while the
loss Of valuable lives was immense. What
excuse Gen. Payne may have for not coming
to time is yet unknown. Had he performed
the part assigned him, the result might have
been different.
The reportea death Of w. W Farley, has
been received in this city with emotions of
deepest regret. He had been resident,
and in business here, since 1854, and was
esteemed as good citizen and an exemplary
man. Mrs. Z. Washburn, wife Of Mayor
Wnshburn. is his sister, and DR.. Farley Of
this county, a brother. He le1ves wife
and two children, at present in Indiana.
vil The apprehensions in regard to Captain
kittredgc have been relieved by the intelli
gsnce, received here by hand car Saturday
night, that he. was safe, althougha prisoner
Tic will probably be speedily exchanged.
W., w. johnson resides in this CITY, where
his family now are. VIM Carroll's family
also live here. Lieut., Barnes lived in Ma.
haska county.
Who the other eight Of the missing from
Go. F. are, we know not. 1t is tobe hoped
and perhaps it is presumable that most of
Z them are prisoners. We may have further
particulars before We go to press.