Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-11-14
selred thrm Rirhr.

lesson TO the dastardly rebels Of Western
Virginia. Let them know that they Will
meet with no mercy if they perpstrate such
crimes, and they will hesitate long before
they put their neOks and property in such
danger. It is this style Of retribution
which makes Gen. jim Lanes Brigade 50
formidable to the rebels Of Missouri, and
causes him to be feared like a pestilence
BY the enemies Of their Government Let
the example be followed.
General Grants Account of the Battle Of
Belmont.
General Grant, the commander of the
United States forces in the battle of Bel
mont wrote q private letter to his father,
on the night Of the sth, of which the fol-
lowing extract is published. The author.
ity for the statements made is official,
though the Communication was private:
Day before yesterday left Cairo with
about 5000 men in Eve steamers, conveyed
BY two gunboats, and proceeded down the
river to within about twelve miles of Col
umbus. The next morning the boats were
dropped down Just out Of range Of the en-
emy's batteries, and the troops debarked.
During this operation our gunboats exer-
cised the rebels BY throwing shells into
their camps and batteries. When all was
ready We proceeded about one mile toward
Belmont, opposite Columbus, when formed
the troops into line, and ordered two COM
panies from each regiment to deploy as
skiFmishsrs, and push on through the
woods and discover the position of the enc.
my. They had gone but little way when
they we're fired upon, and the ball may be
said to have fairly opened.
The whole command, with the exception
Of q small reserve, was then deplOyed in
like manner and ordered forward. The
order was obeyed with great alaority, the
men all showing great courage. 1 can say
with great qualification that every Colo.
mel without single exception, set an ex-
ample to their commands that inspired a
confidence that will always insure victory
where there is the slightest possibility OF
gaining one. I feel truly proud to com
maad such men.
From here we fought our way from tree
to tree through the woods to Belmont, about
AMQ AuA q 4AA+ A4AlG1f IAlG GlGAAl ANnAD1AAHE
every foot Of ground. Here the enemy had
strengthened their position by telling thS
trees for two or three hundred yards, and
sharpening their limbs, forming a sort Of
abatis. Our men charged through, making
the victory complete, giving US possession
Of their camp and garrison equipage, ar
tillery and everything else.
We got great many prisoners. The
majority, however, succeeded in getting or
board their steamers and pushing across
the river. We burned everything possible
snd started back, having accomplished al
that We went for, and even more. Belmon
is entirely covered by the batteries from
Columbus, and is worth nothing as a mill
tsry position-cannot be held without Co
lumbus.
The object Of the expedition was TO pre-
vent the enemy from sending force int
Missouri to cut of troops had sent ther
for special purpose, and to prevent rein
forcing Price
Besides being fortified at Columbus
their number far exceeded ours, and
would have been folly to have attacks
them. We found the Confederates well
armed and brave. On our return, strsg
elers that had been left in our rear (noV
'front.' fred into US, and more recrossed tn
river and gave rs battle for full q mile
and afterWsrd at the boats when We Wer
embarking.
There Das no hasty Tstreating or rlnnia
a'0gy. Taking into account the object c
the expedition, the victory was most com
plete. It has given us confidence in th
officers and men Of this command, that wi
enable Us to lead them in any future er
gagement without fear of the result. Ger
MoClernand (Who by the way acted Wit
great coolnsss and courage Throughout
and proved that he is a soldier as well q
ststesmsn,) and myself each had our hors'
shot under US. Most Of the field Officer
met with the same loss, beside nearly on
third Of them being themselves killed {
wounded. As near as 1 can ascertain, OF
loss WAS about $50 killed, wounded sn
missing.