Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-11-10
Greas and BIoody TFattIe'as Columbus


From the Memphis Appeal Eovsmbers.
We received intelligence at late hour last night
of great and bloody battle being fought within the
vicinity of Columbus Kentucky. It cJmmenced at
ii O'Clock A. NJ by an attack from eight or nine
thousand of the enemy, under Generals McOlernand
and Bradford, upon a force of about twenty five
hundred men, under Gen. Pillow. composed OF four
regiments Tappsn's, Russelrs, Wright's and Pick
etts.
During the progress of the fight, Gen. Pillows
small command was reinforced by Gen. Cheatham's
Brigade consisting of Carrels, Walkers and Mar
tins Tennessee Regiments, and was supported by
Smiths (Feunessee) and Blythes (MiseissippD regi-
ments, who executed flank movement on the enc.
my under command of General Polk.
The slaughter is represented by various dispatch
es from officers as being terrible, reaching proba-
bly, as high as four or five hundred on each side.
1t is asserted that we captured about hundred
prisoners, and the enemy number Of ours, not
mentioned.
That the fggting was desperate on the part of the
enemy, as well as among our men, there is every
reason to believe. The circumstances that Wat
sons Louisiana battery was taken By the Federsls,
and retaken by the Confederates is Of itself sui-
cient to show this fact
The enemy were driven from the fed, and re-
treated but the extent of our victory we have rea
son to believe Is somewhat exaggerated by the tels
Legraphic account we publish. IL was, we fear,
most dearly bought.
Gen. Grant is said to have been killed on the
Federal side.
We have but meager accounts Of the casualties
among the ConfederGtes. We were permitted to
see dispatches last night announcing the death of
CaJ t, ]. Welby Armstrong, of the Sons of Erln,p
and the wouuding of Lieut.. ]. Walker-both of
Memphis We await further intelligence with the
intensest anxiety.
The following important news was published last
night in the form of an extra by the AUGlGnchs
Various other private dispatches were received
from army officers giving confirmation to the gen.
eral statements made in it:
COLUMBUS, Nov There was great battle here
to-day. 1t commenced at ii O'Clock and lasted till
5 clock this afternoon.
Gen. Pillow, with Tappan's, Wright's, Pickett's
and Russells regiments, numbering 2 600 men, was
attacked by 900 Federals under Gems, McClellan's
and Bradford.
Until one o'clock there were alterations of sue
eesses and reverses. Then we were reinforced
successfully by Walkers CarrolIsiand Martins
regiments, under Gen. Cheatbam.
Gen. Pillow then ordered fan movement, which
was made. supported by Smiths and Blythe's reg
INFANTS under the immediate command Of Gen.
Polk.
The enemy fed and were pursued to the gun
boats. There was g complete rout Of the enemy.
The woods were filed with the dead wounded,
The transports and eunboats were attacked by
sharpshooters. The cables were cut and q precip-
itate embsrkation followed.
Wstson's battery, under BeltZhoover, immortal
lied itself It was captured and repaken.
Our loss ia heavy, but less than the enemy's. We
have ninety prisoners. The enemys loss is four or
five hundred.
General Grant is reported to be killed.
We recsptur5d most of our men that were taken.