CHAPTER IX CAMPAIGNS OF 1862—IN THE WEST WE left the two armies of the west in battle array facing each other in long lines extending entirely across the State of Kentucky. The impatience and urgent appeals of General Grant had obtained him permission to move against Belmont, on the Missouri side of Mississippi River, an outpost of the Confederate left flank, and Grant had been repulsed in the attack and forced to fall back to Cairo. From that date, November 7, 1861, there was no important movement by either army until after the middle of January, 1862. It must be remembered that while the entire Confederate army was united under the command of one general, such was not the case with the Federal forces. General D. C. Buell's command extended west to Cumberland River in its western crossing of the State. The portion of Kentucky west of this river was attached to the Department of Missouri, and was occupied by troops under the immediate command of General Grant, who was, however, under the orders of General Halleck. It was not until March 11, 1862, that the two departments were united under Halleck. General Buell was the first to move. Under the orders of McClellan instructing him to form a column to move against Knoxville, he sent General George H. Thomas to move against the right of the Confederate line which guarded Cumberland Gap and the road to Knoxville. General Thomas, commanding a strong Federal force, marched against Beech Grove, north of Cumberland River, where |