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Kentucky side, which he did by advanc- forward the cavalry with a skirmishing ing small bodies of men toward Colum- party to clear the way, while carefully bus. These arrangements having been reconnoitering the position of the enemy, made General Grant having also sent a he brought up his regiments within striksmall force into Kentucky in the same ing distance of the enemy's camp. A direction, embarked with nearly three sharp firing," says he in his vivid report thousand men on the evening of the to General Grant of the action which sixth of November, from Cairo. He had ensued, "having immediately commenced with him five incomplete regiments; between the skirmishing parties of the Colonel Dougherty's 22d, Colonel Bu- Thirtieth and Thirty-first and the eneford's 27th, Colonel Foukes' 30th, Col- my, I ordered forward another party to onel Logan's 31st Illinois, Colonel Lan- their support, rode forward, selected a man's 7th Iowa, with Captain Ezra new position, and ordered up the balance Taylor's Chicago Light Battery of four of my command-the Twenty-seventh6-pounder field guns, and two 12-poun- to pass around the head of a pond, the der howitzers and two companies of Thirtieth and Thirty-first, with the artilIllinois cavalry, commanded by Captains lery, crossing the dry bed of the same Dollins and Delano. This force was slough in their front. On their arrival, transported on five steamers and was I re-formed the line of battle in the same accompanied by the gunboats H. O. Ty- order as before. It was my expectation ler and Lexington, heavily armed, and that the Twenty-second Illinois and the commanded by Captains Walke and Seventh Iowa would resume their former Stembel, of the United States Navy. positions on the left wing, which would The vessels stopped for the night about have perfected a line sufficient to enclose nine miles below Cairo, leaving the ene- the enemy's camp, on all sides accessible my to suppose from the operations on to us, thus enabling us to command the the Kentucky shore, that the immediate river above and below them, and preobject was Columbus. It was really the vent the crossing of reinforcements from camp opposite at Belmont, where several Columbus, insuring his capture as well regiments of the enemy had been sta- as defeat. The Thirtieth and Thirtytioned. At daylight the next day the first and the artillery, moving forward, voyage was resumed to a point of the promptly relieved the skirmishing parriver just out of the range of the rebel ties, and soon became engaged with a guns, about two and a half miles distant, heavy body of the enemy's infantry and and the disembarkation from the trans- cavalry. The struggle, which was conports there safely accomplished on the tinued for half an hour with great severMissouri shore, about half-past eight ity, threw our ranks into temporary o'clock. The heavy batteries of the ene-disorder; but the men promptly rallied my at Columbus, which had been direc- under the gallant example of Colonels ted at the gunboats, were turned against the advancing column, but without effect. Brigadier-General John A. McClernand, an eminent political leader in Illinois, a friend and supporter of the late Senator Douglass, who had passed, from his earnest advocacy of the cause of the Union in the recent Congress to serve the same great interest in the field, had immediate charge of the movement under the direction of General Grant. He now sent

Fouke and Logan, assisted by Major Berryman, Acting Assistant AdjutantGeneral of my brigade; also by Captain Schwartz, Acting Chief of Artillery, Captain Dresser, of the artillery, Lieutenant Babcock, of the Second Cavalry, and Lieutenant Eddy, of the Twenty-ninth Illinois regiment, who had, upon my invitation, kindly joined my staff. Our men pressed vigorously upon the enemy and drove him back, their cavalry leav

ing that part of the field and not ap- and rear of the tents, was heard. About pearing again until attacked by Captain the same time the 7th and 22d, which Dollins, on the river bank below their had passed the rear of the 30th and encampment, and chased out of sight, 31st, hastened up, and, closing the space near the close of the contest. Advanc- between them and the 27th, poured a ing about a quarter of a mile further, deadly fire upon the enemy. A combinthis force again came up with the enemy, ed movement was now made upon three who by this time had been reinforced sides of the enemy's works, and driving upon this part of the field, as I since him across the abattis, we followed close learn, by three regiments and a company upon his heels into the clear space of cavalry. Thus strengthened, they at- around his camp. The 27th was the tempted to turn our left flank, but, or- first seen by me entering upon this dering Colonel Logan to extend the line ground. I called the attention of the of battle by a flank movement, and other regiments to their approach, and bringing up a section of Taylor's battery, the whole line was quickened by eager commanded by First Lieutenant B. H. and impatient emulation. In a few minWhite, under the direction of Captain utes our entire force was within the enSchwartz, to cover the space thus made closure. Under the skillful direction of between the Thirtieth and Thirty-first, Captain Schwartz, Captain Taylor now the attempt was frustrated. Having brought up his battery within three huncompleted that disposition, we again dred yards of the enemy's tents, and opened a deadly fire from both infantry opened fire upon them. He fled with and artillery, and after a desperate resis-precipitation from the tents, and took tance drove the enemy back the third time, forcing them to seek cover among thick woods and brush, protected by the heavy guns at Columbus. In this struggle, while leading the charge, I received a ball in one of my holsters, which failed of harm by striking a pistol. Here Colonels Fouke and Logan urged on their men by the most energetic appeals; here Captain Dresser's horse was shot under him, while Captain Schwartz's horse was twice wounded; here the projectiles from the enemy's heavy guns at Columbus, and their artillery at Belmont crashed through the woods over and among us; here again, all my staff who were with me, displayed the greatest intrepidity and activity; and here, too, many of our officers were killed or wounded; nor shall I omit to add that this gallant conduct was stimulated by your presence, and inspired by your example. Here your horse was killed un

shelter behind some buildings near the river, and into the woods above the camp, under cover of his batteries at. Columbus. Near this battery I met Calonel Dougherty, who was leading the 7th and 22d through the open space toward the tents. At the same time our lines upon the right and left were pressing up to the line of fire from our battery, which now ceased firing, and our men rushed forward among the tents and toward some buildings near the river. Passing over to the right of the camp, I met Colonel Buford, for the first time since his detour around the pond, and congratulated him upon the ardor of his men, to be the first to pass the enemy's works. During the execution of this movement, Captain Alexander Bielaski, one of my aides-de-camp, who had accompanied Colonel Buford during the march of the 27th, separate from the main command, having dismounted from his horse, which had been several times wounded, was shot down while advancing with the flag of his adopted country in his hand, and calling on the men in

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his rear to follow him. Near him, and plished the object of the expedition, I in a few minutes afterward, Colonel Lan- ordered Captain Taylor to reverse his man fell, severely wounded in the thigh, guns and open fire upon the enemy in while leading his men in a desperate his new position, which was done with charge. Galloping my horse down to great spirit and effect, breaking his the river, I found Captain Bozart, of line, and opening our way by the main Company K, 27th regiment, supported road. Promptly responding to an order by squads of men who had joined him, to that effect, Colonel Logan ordered his sharply engaged with a detachment of flag in front of his regiment, prepared to the enemy, whom he drove into the force his way in the same direction, if woods above the camp. Here the firing necessary. Moving on, he was followed was very hot. My own head was grazed by the whole force, except the 27th and by a ball, my horse was wounded in the the cavalry companies of Captains Dolshoulder and his caparison torn in several lins and Delano. Determined to preserve places. Here, too, one of the enemy's my command unbroken, and to defeat caissons fell into my hands, and a cap- the evident design of the enemy to ture of artillery was made by Captain divide it, I twice rode back across the Schwartz, a portion of the 7th gallantly field to bring up the 27th and Dollins' assisting in achieving this result. Hav- cavalry, and also dispatched Major Braying complete possession of the enemy's man for the same purpose, but without camp in full view of his formidable bat- accomplishing the object; they having teries at Columbus, I gave the word for sought, in returning, the same route by three cheers for the Union, to which the which they advanced in the morning. brave men around me responded with On passing into the woods the 30th, the the most enthusiastic applause. Several 7th, and 22d encountered a heavy fire of the enemy's steamers being within on their right and left successively, range above and below, I ordered a sec- which was returned with such vigor and tion of Taylor's battery, under the direc-effect as to drive back the superior force tion of Captain Schwartz, down near the river, and opened a fire upon them, and upon Columbus itself, with what effect I could not learn. The enemy's tents were set on fire, destroying his camp equipage, about four thousand blankets, and his means of transportation. Such horses and other property as could be removed were siezed, and four pieces of his artillery brought to the rear.

of the enemy and silence his firing, but not until the 7th and 22d had been thrown into temporary disorder. Here Lieutenant-Colonel Wentz, of the 7th, and Captain Markley, of the 30th, with several privates were killed, and Colonel Dougherty, of the 22d, and Major McClurken, of the 30th, who was near me, were severely wounded. Here my body servant killed one of the enemy by a "The enemy at Columbus, seeing us in pistol shot. Driving the enemy back on possession of his camp, directed upon us either side, we moved on, occasionally the fire of his heavy guns, but ranging exchanging shots with straggling parties, too high inflicted no injury. Information in the course of which my horse received came at the same time of the crossing of another ball, being one of two fired at heavy bodies of troops above us, amount-me from the corner of a field. Captain ing, as I since learn, to five regiments, Schwartz was at my right when these which, joining those which had fled in shots were fired. At this stage of the that direction, formed rapidly in our rear with the design of cutting off our communication with our transports. To prevent this, and having fully accom

contest, according to the admission of rebel officers, the enemy's forces had swelled, by frequent reinforcements from the other side of the river, to over thir

REPORT OF COMMODORE FOOTE.

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many of the missing were prisoners in the to seize "Bird's Point" or "Fort Holt," hands of the enemy. The report of in this immediate vicinity, and, in view Commodore Foote to the Department at of this, wants early reinforcements of Washington, says generally of the well-equipped regiments. The general part borne by the gunboats Tyler and estimates the loss on our side at two Lexington, "that they rendered the most hundred and fifty killed, wounded, and effective service on this occasion, having missing, and the enemy's loss in killed but one man killed and two wounded; alone at three hundred. My opinion is, in fact, I am informed, both by army and after careful inquiry, as stragglers are navy officers, that the boats, by covering still coming in, that our loss of killed, the final retreat with well-directed fire wounded and missing, will amount to of grape and canister, mowing down the five hundred persons, together with enemy, prevented our troops from being twenty-five baggage wagons, one hunalmost, if not entirely, cut to pieces." dred horses, one thousand overcoats, and He adds also the following comments on one thousand blankets. The men fought the engagement which serve to explain with great gallantry, and Generals Grant its objects and importance. "General and McClernand had their horses shot Grant, the commanding general, informs under them; and had not the troops me that there are 40,000 men and 108 been flushed with their early success, guns of large calibre in Columbus and its and commenced looting, instead of being vicinity, and that the rebels intend to prepared to retire when the object of the make this point their principal stand expedition was accomplished, they might against the movements of the gunboats have left with comparatively little loss, and troops down the Mississippi river. but the delay gave the enemy time to A rifle shot weighing 90 pounds was cross from Columbus in great force, and picked up by one of our men, thrown a hence the comparative disastrous termindistance of three miles from one of the ation in the withdrawal of our forces." * rebel batteries. The demonstration down The day after the battle General Grant the river was intended rather as an arm-sent Major Webster with a flag of truce ed reconnoissance than an attack on Columbus; in fact, mainly for the purpose of destroying the detachment which had crossed the river, and this was effected by capturing the cannon and burning the tents and baggage, the latter accomplished by Quartermaster Hatch, with a detachment of men. This movement, it is believed, has prevented, for the present at least, a junction with General Price in Southwest Missouri, also the detach-mitted to the battle-field and permitted ments being cut off which have been sent from here to attack Jeff. Thompson, as well as establishing the fact of Columbus being so strongly fortified that a large land force must coöperate with the gunboats, in order to move successfully beyond this point down the Mississippi river. On the other hand, General Grant is impressed with the idea that the rebels may retaliate by an attempt u. S. Gunboat Lexington, off Cairo, November 9, 18o1.

to Columbus, bearing a number of the rebel sick and wounded whom he offered unconditionally, asking the privilege of supplying the wants of our own men in like condition. After some parley with the adjutant-general of General Polk, a mutual exchange of the wounded was accomplished, without any formal recognition of the belligerent rights. A working party of an Illinois regiment was ad

to succor the suffering and bury the dead. "In the discharge of these duties the wounded were surrendered and mutually received by their friends. General Polk, touched by sympathy with the suffering, hesitated to interfere with the arrangement, though he felt compelled to consult the etiquette of the camp. "My

*Commodore A. H. Foote to the Hon. Gideon Welles,