Battle of Belmont
Harper's Weekly: Journal of Civilization
The following is transcribed from Harper's Weekly: Journal of Civilization, dated November 23, 1861:
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There was a battle of Belmont, Missouri, opposite Columbus, on 7th. As expedition numbering about 3,500 men, and ascending the Twenty-second, Twenty-seventh, Thirtieth, and Thirty-first Illinois Regiments, the Seventh Iowa Regiment, Taylor's Chicago Artillery and Dellen's and Delano's Cavalry, proceeded down the river on steamboats, accompanied by the gunboats Lexington and Tyler, landed on Thursday morning, and made the attack on the rebels, seven thousand strong, about 11 o'clock. The enemy were strongly intrenched, and being so much superior in numbers, made a strong resistance. They were, however, driven out of their camp, which was destroyed, and their battery, consisting of twelve pieces, was captured -- two of the guns being brought away. Their camp and baggage were destroyed, there horses and mules were captured, and a large number of them were taken prisoners. The object of the expedition having been accomplished, the National forces were retiring, when they were attacked by a heavy rebel reinforcement from Columbus, on the opposite side of the river, and another desperate engagement took place, which continues until enforces were all withdrawn. The losses in killed and wounded were heavy on both sides. How much the rebels suffered in this respect is not known with certainty, but the casualties of the National forces, in killed, wounded, and missing are estimated at three to five hundred -- probably at least ten percent. The expedition was commanded by General Grant and McClernand.
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