The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-11-22
The Fight at Belmont.
Columns, KY, Nov. IL, 1861

Editor Post. The excitement and confu-
sion naturally incident to a battle, are be-
ginning to subside and men. minds to
assume their accustomed equilibrium and
rationol mode of thinking. Our time
since the battle has been principally oc-
cupied in the humane work Of requisite
attention to the wounded and proper
disposition of the dead. Our hospitals
are filed with the wounded of both par
ties, and am happy to state those of the
enemy receive the same kind attention
and judicious treatment as our own. So
numerous are the different reports alrca-
dy circulated relative to the fight of the
seventh of this month, and differing as
they do so widely from each other, ard
equally so in point of fact from the truth,
| shall make no note of chem, but detail
the facts as they occurred to my own OBJ
servaiion in as brief manner as posi-.
bic.
On the night previous to the attack,
about five thousand troops were landed
some six or eight miles above Columbus,
on the Missouri side, by the Federals,
and were reinforced early on the morn
ing Of the 7th by thrco thousand more
from Birds Point. The plan of attack,
as we have since learned, meditated an
assault simultaneously on three different
places. The eight thousand above mem
toned were to attack our forces on the
Missouri side opposite Columbus; the gun.
boats to engage our batteries on the river,
and large force was to have passed
through Mayfeld and attack us in the
rear on the Kentucky side. This was
certainly the result of consummate mill
tary skill, and the only plan by which our
forces could have been defeated, and this
important position delivered into the
hands of the enemy. About 0 a. IN. on
Thursday, eth, our forces opposite this
place. consisting of the Watson Battery
and two battaliols of Arkansas Volun-
teers, making about fifteen hundred men,
wero attacked by the Federal forces. On
the first intimation of attack, Gen. Polk
sent three Tennessee regiments, under
Coils. Picket, Russell and Carroll, to the
relief. II soon became evident our men
were giving way before superior force,
and without reinforcement must evident
ly abandon their position. Several bat
talions were then sent to the rescue.-I
will here remark that most of our regi.
ments are untitled, and considered as bat
talions. The fight ragged fiercely, as they
bore down upon our unfinehing ranks
The llth Louisiana Regiment, Col. Marks,
and the I'd Tennessee, under Col Walker,
were also ordered to cross the river. BY
the time the llth Louisiana and I'd Ten
nessee reached the Missouri side the enc
my had captured the Watson Battery
At this critical juncture Gen. Pillow Or
dered q flank movement, which was ex-
ecuted by the llth Louisiana, in conjunc-
tion with Tennessee Regiment, the
number Of which have been unable to
learn. The enemy by this time had turn
ed our own guns upon us, and were do
ing fearful destruction with grape and
canister shot in the ranks of our gallant
army. The flank movement was success
full, and the enemy, in great confusion,
beat disgraceful retreat, leaving all their
camp equippage and ammunition, suffi-
cient for two such engagements behind.
Knapsacks, blankets, caps and guns were
scattered along the road for miles. Our
forces pursued them to their gun-boats
and, succeeded in killing many before
they could effect an escape. The enemy
succ eeded in saving their transport YES
sells. Gems. McClernand and Bradford
commanded the Northerners. The re-
port that Gen. Grant was killed is mis-
take. Our loss is about l25 killed, $50
wounded, and 20 prisoners. The loss oi
the enemy about 250 killed, $50 or 800
wounded, and about $50 prisoners. Our
regiment, the llth Louisiana, lost 10 kill
ed and 43 wounded. Major Butler and
Lieut.. Alexander, of the llth Louisiana,
were killed. The Continental Guards, the
company to which belong, lost two kill
ed and wounded, and come near losing
another, about my size and age. but am
still all right and ready for another fight.
One of our largest guns burst today,
killing ten or twelve and wounding seve.
raj. 1t was hundred and twenty eight
FOUNDER, pivot gun, and one of our best.
Gen. Polk was wounded by the explo.
sion, though not seriously.
The Federals attribute their failure oi
the 7th to noncompliance of the gun.
boats and the troops on the Kentucky
side, to their part of the contract, and
seem determined to try the plan again.
] write this letter in great haste, as we
are now under arms and expecting fight
every hour. would not be surprised that
ere this reaches you another battle will
have been fought. Great excitement in
Columbus. Yours, JULIrs.
Arrival Of a British Steamer.
VJndoubte1 inflammation of tho orr;yol