Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-11-20
Aailm Auufal.
9ailg appeal.
WEDNESDAY MORNING, NOVEMBER 20.
TIE BELMONT BATTLE-AN IN


EhHANAGHONs
We publish the following explanatory lette
from Dr. WOODWARD, to his brother, Mr.. A
WOODWARD, of this city, for the purpose o
correcting some inaccuracies in the communities
ton from him which appeared il the APPEAL O.
the 9th inst
COLUiBUS, KY, November l3 1851
The letter 1 wrote you on
the 9Th inst, which by your permission was
published in the APPEAL, was never intened toI
publication, and as it contains some inaccura-
eies, I wish in justice to ali parties, to correct
them. At the time it was written gave you
the most correct information to be obtained from
witnessing the battle myself, and from what
could be gathered from other sources. Between
10 and II o'clock that day, was detailed with
q corps of surgeons TO cross the river, and was
busily employed with the wounded almost the
whole day; my opportunities for obtaining IN
formation were very limited beyond what &C
tually witnessed.
The enemy having great advantage both Of
ground and numbers, succeeded in overpower-
ing the regiments Of Cols. Wright and Tsppan,
together with the other forces in command Of
Gen. Pillow, after they had stood to their posi-
lion for an hour and half, and they did not re-
Sire until they were ordered to DO so-facts
which were not known to me at the time I wrote
you. Not more than $500 or 1900 Of our soldiers
were engaged at any time with the enemy
most Of ours in the open field, theirs concealed
IN the woods. But when they did retire much
disorder and confusion occurred, and much de-
lay and difficulty was experienced in bringing
them TO the rally.
Parts Of those regiments who suffered most
severely early In the engagement, of which l
may mention Wright's, TaPPan's, Walkers and
Marks were rallied, and under the lead Of
Gen Chea1ham, were mainly instrumental in
turning the tide Of battle. About o'clock, the
I54.h Tennessee regiment (formerly Col. Pres
Ton smith, now commanded by Col. Marcus J.
Wright.) and Col Blythe's Mississippi regiment,
both in command Of Col Smith, crossed over
end Joined in the pursuit, but did not overtake
the enemy until they were boarding their trans
ports. when the I54th Tennessee poured upon
them q destructive fire for more than a half
NQur Blythe's regiment fling to the left, re-
fafrred their fire under orders.
How much credit should be given to Gems.
Polk. Pillow, Cheatham, McCowen, Smiths
battery and others, who participated prominent
lv in the battle, viii shortly appear in the gen
eral report. was not with the l54th regiment
during the entire day, but did service as sur
reon to al who were brought to me, whether
friend OF foe. That we were badly whipped in
ihs early part OF the action, can never be truth
!uLly denied, and the very regiments who suf-
e.ed most were those who ultimately turned
hrrnlialinc defeat 70 an almost unparalleled
victory.
Our loss is about one hundred killed, inc.u-
ding those who have since died of wounds
about three hundred and sixty wounded--many
of them sightly-not more than one-fOuTth or
whom viii probably die.
The enemy's loss is variously estimated from
eight hundred t7 fifteen hundred, in killed,
wounded and prisoners.
find this f2ct from q little experience, that 1t
j. much more dEicult to get an accurate account
Of battle. where so many claim so much for
themselves as heroes, and so lew are willing to
be held responsible for disasters, than any other
species Of information ever tried to obtain.
One Of our steamers has just returned from
Cairo, which carried up one hundred and twenty /
eight wounded Federals, and brought back one |
hundred and thirty Of our soldiers, who were /
prisoners. some OF them say that the Federa. I
loss on hoard the steamboats,, was immense 1
That one regiment was so slaughtered and |
wounded that the remnant was discharged from /
service. Yours, truly, etc,
r WOOnyyARn