Gen. Grant had been running demonstrations against the enemy to assess the enemy reactions. On November 1, 1861, he received an order to be ready to march. On November 6th, Grant embarked with 3,114 men on transports escorted by two gunboats of the Federal River Navy. On November 7th, Col. Wallace arrived at 2am with information the enemy was crossing from Columbus, Kentucky. to Belmont, Missouri for the purpose of cutting off Col. Oglesby. Oglesby’s orders were to find the enemy and engage.

          Grant had not intended to attack Columbus as it was heavily fortified. However, the troops were elated they were finally going to fight the enemy. Not knowing if he could maintain discipline if returned to Cairo, Grant decided to attack Belmont.

          Columbus was on high ground in order for her guns to be used, the trees in Belmont, on the west bank of the Mississippi, were felled and positioned to create a defensive obstacle. Grant’s description of the area as low and marsh, with marshy ponds passing through the area. There were small clearings, but it was native forests covering the area.

          Polk felt the Union movements were a feint attempt to hide an attack on Columbus. With this in mind, Polk sent Gen. McGowan with infantry and artillery up the east back of the river. Later Polk received news about the landing of Union troops. Gen. Pillow was sent to reinforce Col. Tappen at Belmont. Tappen’s regiment had been decimated by measles and other diseases. With Pillow’s forces, it brought the Confederate force to 2,700.

          Pillow’s forces charged the 7th Iowa which broke. However, Seaton’s 22nd Illinois filled the gap and pushed the Confederate lines back. Several attempts were made by the Union troops to flank Pillow’s lines. On the right, the Union charge was defeated by deadly fire and the hard attitude by the regiment comprised of Colonel’s Russell and Tappen. The attempt on the left flank was stopped by the destructive fire of Col. Beltzhoover’s artillery and Col. Wright’s infantry. Eventually Pillow’s troops ran out of ammunition, including Beltzhoover’s artillery. The order for bayonets was given and under the deadly fire of the Union lines, Pillow’s lines moved forward. The first bayonet charge pushed the Union lines, but the Union pushed back. The bayonet charge was repeated twice more, but without the proper resources, Pillow could not maintain his position. Pillow ordered a retreat back to the river bank. Three Union companies entered the Confederate camp at the same time proceeding to ransack the enemy camp. As Pillow advanced his main body up the river bank, Gen. McGowan crossed the river giving the Southern forces fresh soldiers. As McClernand heard there were five new regiments, they had to fight their way back to the transports.

Col. Buford had to circle around the enemy and through heavy firing from his own gunboats. As Buford’s troops neared the transports, he discovered they had already left. He sent a rider ahead to catch up with the steamers or they would have a long tiring march north. The captain of the steamers recognized them and pulled to the bank to allow Buford’s troops to board.

In Polk’s OR, a November 8th dispatch states they (Union Officers) “admit they were badly whipped.”