Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1879-12-15
NARROW ESCAPE OF GENERAL
GRANT AFTER ONE OF HIS
FIRST VICTORIES IN
BELMONT, KY.

General Grant discovered that the
enemy was sending steamer loads of
troops across the river to point above
the camp, to intercept his retreat; and
he was anxious to get back to his trans
ports before they arrived. He attempt
ed to form his lines again, but the men
were too much disorganized to heed
orders. The General then directed his
staff officers to set fire to the camp in
order to check the plunder. The smoke
attracted the attention of the rebels at
Columbus, who opened fire upon the
Unionists. Shot and shell brought
them to sense of their duty; the line
was formed, and they marched towards
the ne edgfsEareaf ffeebas,i iffn fGnadt nad{Sta Phe Dank
of river, having been reinforced by the
arrival of three regiments from Colum-
bus, marched to a point which enabled
them to intercept the victorious army.
An officer, on discovering the fact, dash
ed furiously up to the cool commander,
and In highly excited tone cried, "We
are surrounded p
"Well, if that is so, we must cut our
way out, as we cut our way in," re-
piled Grant, apparently unmoved, then
by this tremendous circumstance.
His troops were brave men, but such
a disaster as being surrounded suggest
ed to their inexperience only the alter
native of surrender, and, under many
commanders such result must have
bees. inevitable. What paralyzes the
soldier often produces the same effect on
the leader; but Grant was not "demoral
ized." No apparent reverses could ex-
haust his unconquerable pluck; he nev-
er despaired, and worked up situation
out of which another could make moth
ing but defeat, until he brought forth
victory.
1--WE have whipped them once, and I
think we can do it again" added Grant,
in the midst of the confusion which
the unpleasant prospect caused.
The troops discovered that Grant had
no idea of surrendering, and they gath
cred themselves up for fresh onslaught.
The confusion was overcome, and the
little army charged the enemy, who
fought less vigorously than earlier in
the day, and were again forced behind
the bank of the river. But, as fresh
troops were continually arriving from
Columbus, there was no time to be vast
ed, and Grant pressed on for his trans
ports. There was no unseemly haste,
certainly nothing like rout. or even
a defeat. Everything was done in as
orderly a manner as possible with un-
disciplined troops.
Grant superintended the execution Of
his own orders IN the embarkation of his
force and, when most of them were on
board of the steamers, he sent out a
party to pick up the wounded. In the
morning he had posted a reserve in a
suitable place for the protection of the
feet, and as soon as the main body were
secure on the decks of the transports
Grant, attended by single member Of
his staff, rode out to withdraw this force
This guard, ignorant of the requirement
of good discipline, had withdrawn them
selves, and the General found himseli
uncovered in the presence of the ad
vancing foe. Riding up on hillock
he found himself confronting the whole
rebel force, now increased by fresh ad
ditions from the other side of the
river. It was time for an ordinary
man to put spurs to his steed +; bu
Grant had an utter contempt for danger
He stood still for moment to examine
the situation, during which he was /;
shining mark for rebel sharpshooters
He wore private's overcoat, the day
being damp and chilly; and to this cir