Just before
Fremont was deprived of his command (see
Fremont, John C.) he ordered
General Grant to move a co-operative force along the line of the
Mississippi River.
It was promptly done.
A column about 3,000 strong, chiefly Illinois volunteers, under
Gen. John A. McClernand, went down from
Cairo in transports and wooden gunboats to menace
Columbus by attacking
Belmont, opposite.
At the same time another column, under
Gen. C. F. Smith. marched from
Paducah to menace
Columbus in the rear.
Grant went with
McClernand.
The troops landed 3 miles above
Belmont, Nov. 7, 1861, and while they were pushing on the gunboats opened fire upon
Columbus.
General (
Bishop)
Polk, the commander, sent
General Pillow over the river to reinforce the little garrison at
Belmont.
A sharp battle ensued, and the Nationals were victorious; but, exposed to the heavy artillery at
Columbus, the post was untenable.
Giving three cheers for the
Union, the Nationals set fire to the
Confederate camp, and hastened back towards their boats with the captured men, horses, and artillery.
Polk opened seven of his heaviest guns upon them, and at the same time sent over some fresh troops under General cheatham.
Then he crossed over himself, with two regiments, making the whole Confederate force about 5,000 men. They fell upon
Grant, and a desperate struggle ensued.
Grant fought his way back to the transports under cover of a five from the gunboats, and escaped.
The
Nationals lost about 500 men, and the
Confederates over 600, killed, wounded, and missing.
