the obstacles thus encountered, the Second | lery emerged from the timber on the right and brigade advanced as rapidly as possible for about half a mile, passing over much of the distance at double-quick march. Hearing firing on the right while the skirmishers of the Second brigade remained silent on the left, we advanced by a flauk movement to the right, through almost impenetrable roads, climbing over felled trees and filing around tree-tops in the direction of the firing. Halting a few moments to form a line, we again advanced and encountered the enemy, behind logs and among tree-tops; and at this point the firing commenced on the left, which now seemed to be general along the whole line-the whole force being apparently engaged in action. took position, when the Seventh Iowa and Twenty-second Illinois fell back and supported the battery, which opened a fire on the retreating rebels and their camp. The battery was well served, and evidently disconcerted the rebels, accelerating their retreat, and spreading consternation among them. From that point the Second brigade advanced with the battery, entered the encampment of the enemy, and captured three pieces of his artillery, one piece being taken possession of by Company B, Capt. Seaton, and one by Company E, Capt. McAdams, both of the Twenty-second Illinois, and the third by a part of our forces unknown to me. Two of the pieces were placed in charge of Captain Taylor, who gallantly brought them away from the field, to be used in a better cause in future. After assisting in the destruction of the rebel camp and property not movable, as long as was prudent, under the fire of the rebel batteries in and about Columbus, which commanded the whole ground, the order to retire to the transports was received, but not before the rebel flag had been hauled down and the Stars and Stripes, the flag of our fathers, still bright with the glorious memories of the past, was exhibited to their view. The enemy for some time obstinately resisted any advance at this point, and a storm of mus- | ketry raged along the whole line of the Second brigade. Shell and shot from the artillery of the enemy along the Iron banks, and the fieldpieces at Belmont, fell thick and fast, and a perfect storm of bullets from his small-arms was here encountered. Many of our brave men were wounded at this point, and some fell to rise no more, sealing their patriotism with their hearts' blood. But their valor forced the enemy to yield at last, and again the Second brigade advanced, pressing on over the enemy's dead and wounded, many of whom implored our men not to murder them, being evidently under the belief of the false and wicked impressions so industriously sought to be made by many of the leaders of this cursed rebellion, that we were barbarians and savages. But instead of mur-large force of fresh troops across the river, dering them, some of our men ministered to their wants, and conveyed them to places of safety. Step by step we drove them until they reached a secondary bank, such as abound through the river-bottoms of the West, under which they were protected from our fire; and when they made another desperate stand for about thirty minutes, our fire became so hot that they retreated precipitately to some open ground near their encampment covered by a rude abatis of felled timber, strewing the ground as they went with guns, coats, and canteens. Our brave troops followed them with shouts, pouring volley after volley into them. Here the enemy's movements at this point gave unmistakable evidence of being panic-stricken and defeated, retreating to the river and up the river-bank behind the shelter of some brush and timber. On gaining the open ground near their encampment, opposite to and in sight of the lower part of Columbus, the relative positions of the different commands, for the first time since the commencement of the battle, became visible. The Second brigade, being on the left, had a shorter distance to march in order to reach the enemy than the First, and consequently reached the open ground in front of the enemy's camp in advance of the right wing. In a few moments one section of Captain Taylor's battery of artil After it had been displayed and the field music had played our national air within hearing of the rebels, the order to retire was received from you, and our weary forces were called from the camp which they had destroyed. In the mean time the rebels had transported a seven regiments, according to their own statements contained in a Memphis paper. These were formed in the timber and in some cornfields, between their destroyed camp and our transports. On the return the Second brigade encountered these fresh forces and at once engaged them, and opened a passage through them. At this time the Seventh Iowa was in the rear of the Twenty-second Illinois, and was somewhat confused; all the field-officers and many of the company officers of that brave regiment being either killed, wounded, or taken by the enemy. I told the men that, as we had fought our way in, we could fight our way out again, and ordered them to keep up a steady fire on the left, which they did with a will, notwithstanding their exhaustion, opening the ranks of the enemy, and forcing their way through, in order to reach the transports at the same place we had debarked. On reaching the transports, which were safe and in waiting for us, meeting Lieut.-Col. H. E. Hart, who had conducted himself through the entire battle with the coolness and bravery of a soldier, I ordered him to embark the Twenty-second Illinois regiment on board the Belle Memphis while I returned to fetch up the rear of the brigade; on my return I found many of the Iowa Seventh considerably scattered; while cheering them up, and hurrying them forward I received a small shot in the shoulder, and one on the elbow, and shortly afterward a ball through the ankle; my horse was also shot in several places, which fell with me, and soon expired. I found myself unable to travel and was consequently captured by the rebels, who treated me with respect and kindness. The loss of the Twenty-second regiment Illinois Volunteers during the day was twentythree killed, and seventy-four wounded. Total killed and wounded, ninety-seven. Captains Challenor and Abbott were severely wounded and left upon the field, where they were afterward taken by the enemy. Captain Hubbard was slightly wounded Lieutenant Adams was severely wounded in the left arm and taken prisoner. Captains Challenor and Abbott and Lieut. Adams have since been returned, together with all non-commissioned officers and pri vates who were wounded. The loss of the Seventh Iowa regiment, during the action, was twenty-six killed and eighty wounded. Total killed and wounded, one hundred and six-making the entire loss of killed and wounded of the Second brigade, two hundred and three. Among them were Col. Lauman, severely wounded; Lieutenant-Col. Wentz, killed; also the remainder of their field-officers, together with many of their company officers, who fought gallantly until stricken down by the enemy. This regiment, throughout the battle, fought like veterans, dealing death to rebels wherever they encountered them. Iowa may well feel proud of her sons who fought at Belmont. I am informed that as soon as the steamer Memphis got out of the fire of the enemy, every attention and care was paid to the wounded, of which there was quite a number on board. Many of the officers were very active in ministering to their wants, and Surgeons Stearns and Woodwarded attended them faithfully, performing their duties, dressing their wounds, and extracting many balls. While under way to Cairo, Dr. Hamilton, Quartermaster of the Twenty-second Illinois Volunteers, also assisted and rendered most efficient aid. I am further informed that only one two-horse wagon, belonging to the Quartermaster's Department of the Twenty-second regiment Illinois, was left. It contained nothing but what could not be got aboard, because the bank of the river, where the Memphis lay, was so perpendicular that a road had to be made with shovels, which consumed too much time. All the horses, including those captured from the enemy, were got on board. Many instances of individual heroism and bravery occurred during the day, but where all acted so gallantly, it would be unjust to discriminate. The whole force under your command The following is the General Order issued on the 8th by Brigadier-General John A. McClernand, in command at Cairo: General Order No. 15. BRIGADE HEAD-QUARTERS, CAMP CAIRO, The General commanding the First Brigade of Illinois Volunteers takes pleasure in meeting to-day those who conferred honor upon his command by their gallantry and good conduct battle. You were but imperfectly disciplined, on yesterday. Few of you had before seen a and supplied with inferior arms. Yet you marched upon a concealed enemy, of superior numbers, on ground of their own choosing. You drove them steadily before you for two miles of continued fighting, and forced them to beneath the heavy batteries at Columbus. You seek shelter in their intrenchments at Belmont, drove them from their position, and destroyed their camp-bringing with you, on retiring, two hundred prisoners, two field-pieces, and a large amount of other property. large numbers in your rear, to cut you off, while Reinforced from Columbus, they formed in the heavy guns were playing upon your ranks. Fighting the same ground over again, you drove them a second time. A portion of the command, becoming separated from the rest, made a successful and well-ordered movement by another route, and returned to the river. After a day of fatiguing marches, fighting as you marched, having been nearly six hours actually engaged, you reembarked and returned to acted like veterans, and you may justly feel the troops at Cairo: HEAD-QUARTERS DISTRICT S. E. Mo., H. DOUGHERTY, command at the battle of Belmont on yester- | sick in camps, and expect in return a correday. It has been his fortune to have been in all the battles fought in Mexico by Generals Scott and Taylor save Buena Vista, and he never saw one more hotly contested or where troops behaved with more gallantry. Such courage will insure victory wherever our flag may be borne and protected by such a class of men. To the brave men who fell the sympathy of the country is due, and will be manifested in a manner unmistakable. U. S. GRANT, Brigadier-General Commanding. On the day after the battle, (Nov. 8th,) a flag of truce was sent from Cairo, Ill., to Columbus, Ky., under charge of Major Webster, chief of the Engineer Corps, to make arrangements respecting the wounded. The following is the correspondence between the two commanders, and the report of Major Webster: GEN. GRANT TO GEN. POLK. HEAD-QUARTERS DISTRICT S. E. MISSOURI, Į CAIRO, November 8, 1861. General Commanding Forces, Columbus, Ky.: SIR: In the skirmish of yesterday, in which both parties behaved with so much gallantry, many unfortunate men were left upon the field of battle whom it was impossible to provide for. I now send, in the interest of humanity, to have these unfortunates collected and medical attendance secured them. Major Webster, chief of engineers, district southeast Missouri, goes bearer of this, and will express to you my views upon the course that should be pursued under the circumstances such as those of yesterday. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, U. S. GRANT, Brigadier-General Commanding. GEN. POLK TO GEN. GRANT. HEAD-QUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, WESTERN DEPARTMENT, COLUMBUS, KY., November 8, 1861. Brig.-Gen. U. S. Grant, U. S. A.: I have received your note in regard to your wounded and killed on the battle-field after yesterday's engagement. The lateness of the hour at which my troops returned to the principal scene of action, prevented my bestowing the care upon your wounded which I desired. Such attentions as were practicable were shown them, and measures were taken at an early hour this morning to have them all brought into my hospitals. Provision also was made for taking care of your dead. The permission you desire under your flag of truce to aid in attention to your wounded, is granted with pleasure, under such restrictions as the exigencies of our service may require. In your note you say nothing of an exchange of prisoners, though you send me a private message as to your willingness to release certain wounded men and some invalids taken from our list of sponding number of your wounded prisoners. My own feelings would prompt me to waive again the unimportant affectation of declining to recognize these States as belligerents, in the interests of humanity, but my Government requires all prisoners to be placed at the disposal of the Secretary of War. I have despatched him to know if the case of the severely wounded held by me would form an exception. I have the honor to be your obedient servant, L. POLK, Major-General C. S. A. MAJOR WEBSTER'S REPORT. ENGINEER OFFICE, CAMP CAIRO, ILL., November 9, 1861. GENERAL: I have the honor to report the result of the expedition sent under a flag of truce to Columbus yesterday. On our arrival in the vicinity of the place, a steamer carrying Capt. Blake, Assistant Adjutant-General of Gen. Polk, met us. I delivered to him your letter, and offered him, unconditionally, the sick and wounded whom I had in charge. He informed me that orders had been recently received by Gen. Polk, respecting the exchange of prisoners, and declined accepting those proffered until he could receive further instructions. He then left, saying that we had permission to bury our dead on the field of battle. I placed a working party, under command of Lieut. Hart, of the Twenty-third Illinois regiment, and sent them to the field, where they were employed, for the remainder of the day, in caring for the wounded, some of whom were found yet there, and in burying the dead. It was near sunset when Capt. Blake again came on board our boat, and handed in the communication from Gen. Polk, which I gave you last night on my return. He informed me that a despatch had been sent to their Secretary of War, in regard to the exchange of prisoners, but that they had received no reply. During the interval between the two visits of Capt. Blake, several parties of the enemy visited our boat; Gen. Cheatham among them. He informed me that he had directed four of our wounded to be brought to us, and asked if I would give four of theirs in exchange. I told him that I would give him four or any other number that he would accept unconditionally, but that I had no authority to negotiate an exchange, and that as to the four of ours which he sent on board, I would await the decision of Gen. Polk. Several more of our wounded had also been given into the care of our party in the field by Major Mason, Quartermaster of Columbus. These facts I mentioned to Capt. Blake, and told him that those three put in our charge awaited his orders, as I wished to avoid any appearance even of doing any thing not in strict accordance with our obligations under the flag · of truce. He replied that he did not wish to interfere with any arrangements made by others; and I thought, under this state of the case, it would be putting an unnecessarily fine point on the matter to decline to take back the wounded men so politely offered by Gen. Cheatham and Major Mason. It is due to the latter gentleman, particularly, to say that his disposition to do every thing in his power to aid us in our mission of humanity, was conspicuous during our entire stay there, and certainly deserves our warmest appreciation. At the second visit of Capt. Blake to our boat, he received the sick and wounded prisoners, whom I again offered to him unconditionally, and they were put on board his boat. The number of our wounded, as above stated from Gen Cheatham and Major Mason, and brought up by me, was thirteen. Enclosed herewith is a list of our men in the hands of the enemy, given me by Capt. Blake, which he thought to be nearly complete. The number reported buried by them on the field yesterday was sixty-eight. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, To Brig.-Gen. U. S. GRANT, Com. Div. SECESSION REPORTS. GENERAL POLK'S DESPATCH. To General Head-quarters, through General A. The enemy came down on the opposite side of the river, Belmont, to-day, about seven thousand five hundred strong, landed under cover of gunboats, and attacked Col. Tappan's camp. I sent over three regiments under Gen. Pillow to his relief, then at intervals three others, then Gen. Cheatham. I then took over two others in person, to support a flank movement which I had directed. It was a hard-fought battle, lasting from half-past ten A. M. to five P. M. They took Beltzhoover's battery, four pieces of which were re-captured. The enemy were thoroughly routed. We pursued them to their boats seven miles, then drove their boats before us. The road was strewn with their dead and wounded, guns, ammunition, and equipments. Our loss considerable; theirs heavy. L. POLK, Major-General Commanding. REPLY OF PRESIDENT DAVIS. LETTER FROM GEN. GRANT. The following is from a private letter from General Grant to his father, written on the night of the 8th: Day before yesterday I left Cairo with about three thousand men in five steamers, convoyed by two gunboats, and proceeded down the river to within about twelve miles of Columbus. The next morning the boats were dropped down just out of range of the enemy's batteries, and the troops debarked. During this operation our gunboats exercised the rebels by throwing shells into their camps and batteries. When all ready, we proceeded about one mile toward Belmont, opposite Columbus, when I formed the troops into line, and ordered two companies from each regiment to deploy as skirmishers, and push on through the woods and discover the position of the enemy. They had gone but a little way when they were fired upon, and the ball may be said to have fairly opened. The whole command, with the exception of a small reserve, was then deployed in like manner and ordered forward. The order was obeyed with great alacrity, the men all showing great courage. I can say with great gratification that every colonel, without a single exception, set an example to their commands that inspired a confidence that will always insure victory when there is the slightest possibility of gaining one. I feel truly proud to command such men. From here we fought our way from tree to and a half miles, the enemy contesting every tree through the woods to Belmont, about two ened their position by felling the trees for two foot of ground. Here the enemy had strengthor three hundred yards and sharpening their limbs, making a sort of abatis. Our men charged through, making the victory complete, giving us possession of their camp and garrison equipage, artillery, and every thing else. We got a great many prisoners. The majority, however, succeeded in getting aboard their burned every thing possible and started back, steamers and pushing across the river. We having accomplished all that we went for, and even more. Belmont is entirely covered by the batteries from Columbus, and is worth nothing as a military position-cannot be held without Columbus. The object of the expedition was to prevent the enemy from sending a force into Missouri to cut off troops I had sent there for a special purpose, and to prevent reinforcing Price. Besides being well fortified at Columbus, their number far exceeded ours, and it would have been folly to have attacked them. We found the Confederates well armed and brave. On our return stragglers that had been left in our rear (now front) fired into us, and more recrossed the river and gave us battle for a full mile, and afterward at the boats when we were embarking. There was no hasty retreating or running away. Taking into account the object of the expedition, the victory was complete. It has given us confidence in the officers and men of this command, that will enable us to lead them in any future engagement without fear of the result. Gen. McClernand (who, by the way, acted with great coolness and courage throughout, and proved that he is a soldier as well as a statesman) and myself, each had our horses shot under us. Most of the field-officers met with the same loss, beside nearly one-third of them being themselves killed or wounded. As near as I can ascertain, our loss was about two hundred and fifty killed, wounded, and missing. LOUISVILLE "JOURNAL" NARRATIVE. CAIRO, NOV. 1861. numerical forces of the enemy by destroying their camp and twice routing them, and driving them, with terrible slaughter, before our bayonets. On the morning of the 7th, after lying on the Kentucky shore over night, our troops, two thousand eight hundred and fifty in number, being portions of the Twenty-second Illinois, Col. Henry Dougherty, Twenty-seventh Illinois, Col. Buford, Thirtieth Illinois, Col. Phil. B. Fouke, Thirty-first Illinois, Col. John A. Logan, and the Seventh Iowa, Col. Lauman, debarked on the Missouri shore about three miles this side of Belinont. They were at once marched to a corn-field about one mile distant, and west of Belmont. Three companies of the Seventh Iowa, and two companies of the Twenty-second Illinois, were, however, left at You have been informed by telegraph and the landing to guard the steamboats. In the forestalled communications from other sources corn-field the whole force was drawn up in line of the recent battle at Belmont, but most of in the following order: The Twenty-seventh these reports have been in the main incorrect Illinois, Col. Buford, occupying the extreme and incomplete; therefore it is that I have de- right, Thirtieth, Col. Fouke, next, Thirty-first, layed giving an account until the confusion and Col. Logan, on the centre, with Taylor's Chicaexcitement had subsided, and something like a go artillery (six guns) in the rear, Seventh Iodefinite and accurate account might be ob- wa to the left, and Twenty-second Illinois the tained. It might be well to notice here the extreme left; two companies from each regiunderhanded antagonism evident in many of ment were then thrown out as skirmishers, exour prominent journals to the Union cause, in cept Colonel Buford's, which took the road pronouncing-even in the face of positive evi- leading to the right, with orders to bear down dence to the contrary-every action in which on the enemy below their camp, on the our troops are engaged, and, as must necessarily bank of the river, and drive them to the left, be, a few of our numbers are slain, to be posi- assisted by Captains Dollins, and Delano's Illitive defeats and repulses. We have a notable nois Cavalry. The skirmishers of Logan's and instance of this determination to embarrass and Fouke's regiments had proceeded about half a disparage our army in the recent editorials of mile through the woods when they encountered the Chicago Tribune, and other journals, in re- the enemy and opened a vigorous fire, which lation to this Belmont fight. It has been pro- was returned by the enemy, who, however, nounced a defeat, and some have gone so far soon fell back. Gen. McClernand, who was as to proclaim it a rout; and thus has been reconnoitring with the men, now sent back reiterated one of the most wanton and damag- his aid to order a forward movement of the ing falsehoods that ever blistered a tongue. whole column, which soon arrived and formed But so far from this being a repulse, from the again as before, moved forward a short disevidences now accumulated, it proves to have tance, where he found the enemy in strong been one of the most signal and brilliant vic- force, whom he attacked with the Thirtieth, tories that have graced the pages of our his- Thirty-first, and a part of the Seventh Iowa, tory since the record of Buena Vista. It will and again drove them before him and scattered be seen from the official report of General them in disorder, with heavy loss. It was not Grant, that the object of the expedition was long, however, until they rallied and offered a not for the attack of Columbus, but for the vigorous resistance, which somewhat disorpurpose of diverting the enemy from sending dered our lines. It was now soon discovered reinforcements to Thompson, Price, or Buck- that the rebels were flanking us on the left, ner, and I have further learned from Gen. Mc- when Logan's men were brought about, and Clernand, which is corroborated by prisoners the artillery opened a tremendous fire on them, taken at Belmont, that a large rebel force ac- which brought them down like mowed grass, tually had their knapsacks packed to reinforce while Fouke's regiment was still engaging them Buckner at Bowling Green, and make a for- with a terrible effect, and the enemy was finalward movement against Louisville. To fur-ly driven back toward their camp. In the ther show that the object of the expedition against Belmont was not intended for Columbus, I was shown a letter in Gen. Grant's quarters to-day from Assistant Adjutant-General McKeever directing him to move only against Belmont and avoid Columbus. Thus the movement intended and directed was a complete success and a triumph over the superior mean time Buford's regiment and Dollins' cav alry had arrived to the right of the enemy's camp, and was doing fearful execution on the foe. While these regiments were making the enemy quail beneath their fire and bayonets, the Seventh Iowa and Twenty-second Illinois were dealing havoc among them on the left. After |