Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1861-11-19
GEN. GRANTS REPORT.

a Ea o.
The following is General Grants Official
report Of the Belmont battle:
ion the evening Of the 9th inst, LETT
this place with $50 men of all arms, to
make a reconnaissance toward Columbus.
The object Of the expedition was to pre-
vent the enemy from sending out reinforce.
ments to Prices army in Missouri, ana
also from cutting of columns that 1 had
been directed TO send out from this place
and Cape Girardeau, in pursuit OF Jeff.
Thompson. Knowing that Columbus was
strongly garrisoned, i asked Gen. smith,
commanding at Pnducah, KY, TO make
demonstrations in the same direction. lie
did so by ordering small force to May"
field, and another in the direction OF Co
lumbus, not to approach nearer, however,
than ten or fifteen miles. also sei-t
small force, on the Kentucky side with
orders not to approach nearer than Ellis
cott'e Mills, some twelve miles from Co..
lumbus. The expedition under my imme-
date command was stopped about nine
miles below here ON the Kentucky shore,
and remained until morning. All this
served to distract the enemy, and led HIM
TO think he was TO be attacked inhis strong
~ fortified position. At daylight we pro,
ceded down the river to point just out OF
the reach of the rebel guns, and debarked
on the Missouri shore From here the
troops were marched by flank for about
one mile toward Belmont. and then drawn
up in line Of battle, battalion also, hav-
ing been left as reserve near the trans>
ports. Two companies from each regI-
ment, five skeletons in number, were thrown
out as skirmishers, to ascertain the position
of the enemy. 1t was but few minutes
before we met him, and general engage
ment ensued The balance of my forces,
with the exception Of the reserve, was then
thrown forward-all as Skin nishers-and
the enemy driven, foot by foot. and from
tree to tree, back to their eneampment on
the river bank, distance of two miles
Here they had strengthened their position
by falling the timber for several hundred
wards around their camp, and forming a
sort of abattis. Our men charged through
this, and droye the enemy over the bank
into their transports in quick time, leaving
Us in possession of everything not exceed
ingly portable. Belmont is On low ground
and every foot of it is commanded by the
guns on the opposite shore, and OF course
could not be held for single hour after
the enemy became aware OF the Withdrawal
of their troops. Having no wagons.
could not remove any of the captured
property, consequently gave orders for 1t:
destruction. Their tents, blankets, etc
were set on fire, and we retired, taking
their artillery with us, two pieces being
by hand and one other, drawn by an ih'
efficient team, we spiked and left in thu
woods, bringing the two only to this place
Before getting fairly under way the enem,
made his appearance again, attempted 4
surround us. Our troops were not in tn
least discouraged. but charged on the enc
my again and defeated him. Our loss wa
about eightysfour killed, one hundred an
fifty wounded-many Of them slightly
and about an equal number missing =
Nearly all the m .ssing were from the low
Regiment, who behaved with great gal
lantry, and suffered more severely thai
any other troops.
have not been able to put in the report
of the sub-commands, but will forward
them as soon as received All the troop
behaved with much gallantry, much o
which is attributable to the GOODNESS AM
presence of mind of the officers, parSicu
iarly the Colonels. Gen. McClernard wa
in the midst of danger throughout the en-
gagement, and displayed both GOODNESS an
Judgment. Ills horse was three times shot
NV horse was also shot under me. To m
staff, Capts Rawlings, Logan, and Hill
yer, volunteer aids. and to Caps. Hate
and Graham. am much indebted for tn
assistance they gave me. Col. Webster
acting chief engineer also accompanie
me, and displayed high soldier ike DUAL
tiles. Col. Dougherty, of the Odd lllinoi
Volunteers, was three times wounded an
taken prisoner.
The 7th Iowa regiment had their Lieu
Colonel killed, and the Colonel and Maio
were severely wounded. The reports to
forwarded will detail more fully the per
ticulars of our loss. Surgeon Brinton wa
on the field during the entire engagement
and displayed great ability and efhcienc
in providing for the wounded and organi
zing the medical corps.
The gunboats Tyler and Lexington
Capts. Walker and Stemble. ". S. N, com
manding, conveyed the expedition and reu
dered efficient service. Immediately upo
our landing they engaged the enemy's bat
teries, and protected our transports thro
out. am, sir, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
fSignedl u S. GRANT,
Brig. Gen. Commanding"