Official Reports of the Engagement at Belmont, Missouri., and Demonstration from Paducah upon Columbus, Kentucky. November 7, 1861. No. 1. — Reports of Brig. Gen. U. S. Grant, U. S. Army, commanding District of Southeast Missouri, and including operations against Thompson's forces, with orders, &c.

No. 1.

Reports of Brig. Gen. U. S. Grant, U. S. Army, commanding District of Southeast Missouri, and including operations against Thompson's forces, with orders, &c.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT SOUTHEAST MISSOURI,        

Cairo, Ill., November 17, 1861.

GENERAL: The following order was received from headquarters Western Department:

SAINT Louis, November 1, 1861.

 

You are hereby directed to hold your whole command ready to march at an hour's notice, until further orders, and you will take particular care to be amply supplied with transportation and ammunition. You are also directed to make demonstrations with your troops along both sides of the river towards Charleston, Norfolk, and Blandville, and to keep your columns constantly moving back and forward against these places, without, however, attacking the enemy.

 

Very respectfully,

 

CHAUNCEY McKEEVER,             

A.A.G.

General GRANT,

Commanding at Cairo.

At the same time I was notified that similar instructions had been sent to Brig. Gen. C. F. Smith, commanding Paducah, Ky., and was directed to communicate with him freely as to my movements, that his might be co-operative.

On the 2d of the same month, and before it was possible for any considerable preparation to have been made for the execution of this order, the following telegraphic dispatch was received:

SAINT LOUIS, November 2, 1861.

 

Jeff. Thompson is at Indian Ford of the Saint Francois River, 25 miles below Greenville, with about 3,000 men. Colonel Carlin has started with force from Pilot Knob. Send a force from Cape Girardeau and Bird's Point to assist Carlin in driving Thompson into Arkansas.

 

By order of Major-General Frémont:

C. McKEEVER,                    

Assistant Adjutant-General.

Brigadier-General GRANT.

The forces I determined to send from Bird's Point were immediately designated, and Col. R. J. Oglesby, Eighth Illinois Volunteers, assigned to the command, under the following detailed instructions:

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT SOUTHEAST MISSOURI,                     

Cairo, November 3, 1861.

 

You will take command of an expedition, consisting of your regiment, four companies of the Eleventh Illinois, all of the Eighteenth and Twenty-ninth, three companies of cavalry from Bird's Point (to be selected and notified by yourself), and a section of Schwartz' battery, artillery, and proceed by steamboats to Commerce, Mo. From Commerce you will strike for Sikeston, Mr. Cropper acting as guide. From there you will go in pursuit of a rebel force, understood to be 3,000 strong, under Jeff. Thompson, now at Indian Ford, on the Saint Francois River.

 

An expedition has already left Ironton. Mo., to attack this force. Should they learn that they have left that place it will not be necessary for you to go there, but pursue the enemy in any direction he may go, always being cautious not to fall in with an unlooked-for foe too strong for the command under you.

 

The object of the expedition is to destroy this force, and the manner of doing it is left largely at your discretion, believing it better not to trammel you with instructions. Transportation will be furnished you for fourteen days' rations and four or five days' forage. All you may require outside of this must be furnished by the country through which you pass.

 

In taking supplies you will be careful to select a proper officer to press them, and require a receipt to be given, and the articles pressed accounted for in the same manner as if purchased. You are particularly enjoined to allow no foraging by your men. It is demoralizing in the extreme, and is apt to make open enemies where they would not otherwise exist.

 

Yours, &c.,

U.S. GRANT,            

Brigadier-General.

Col. R. J. OGLESBY,

Commanding, &c., Bird's Point, Mo.

Col. J. B. Plummer, Eleventh Missouri Volunteers, commanding Cape Girardeau, was directed to send one regiment in the direction of Bloomfield, with a view to attracting the attention of the enemy.

The forces under Colonel Oglesby were all got off on the evening of the 3d.

On the 5th a telegram was received from headquarters Saint Louis, stating that the enemy was re-enforcing Price's army from Columbus by way of White River, and directing that the demonstration that had been ordered against Columbus be immediately made. Orders were accordingly at once given to the troops under my command that remained at Cairo, Bird's Point, and Fort Holt. A letter was also sent to Brig-Gen. C. F. Smith, commanding at Paducah, requesting him to make a demonstration at the same time against Columbus.

To more effectually attain the object of the demonstration against the enemy at Belmont and Columbus, I determined on the morning of the 6th to temporarily change the direction of Colonel Oglesby's column towards New Madrid, and also to send a small force under Col. W. H. L. Wallace, Eleventh Illinois Volunteers, to Charleston, Mo., to ultimately join Colonel Oglesby. In accordance with this determination I addressed Colonel Oglesby the following communication:

CAIRO, November 6, 1861

On receipt of this turn your column towards New Madrid. When you arrive at the nearest point to Columbus from which there is a road to that place, communicate with me at Belmont.

U.S. GRANT,                

Brigadier-General.

Col. R. J. OGLESBY,

Commanding Expedition.

which was sent to Colonel Wallace with the following letter:

CAIRO, November 6, 1861.

 

Herewith I send you an order to Colonel Oglesby to change the direction of his column towards New Madrid, halting to communicate with me at Belmont from the nearest point on his road.

 

I desire you to get up the Charleston expedition ordered for to-morrow, to start to-night, taking two days' rations with them. You will accompany them to Charleston, and get Colonel Oglesby's instructions to him by a messenger, if practicable, and when he is near enough you may join him. For this purpose you may substitute the remainder of your regiment in place of an equal amount from Colonel Marsh's. The two days' rations carried by your men in haversacks will enable you to join Colonel Oglesby's command, and there you will find rations enough for several days more should they be necessary. You may take a limited number of tents, and at Charleston press wagons to carry them to the main column. There you will find sufficient transportation to release the pressed wagons.

U.S. GRANT,            

Brigadier-General.

Col. W. H. L. WALLACE,

Bird's Point. Mo.

On the evening of the 6th I left this place in steamers, with McClernand's Brigade, consisting of Twenty-seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteers, Col. N. B. Buford; Thirtieth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, Col. Philip B. Fouke; Thirty-first Regiment Illinois Volunteers, Col. John A. Logan; Dollins' Company Independent Illinois Cavalry, Capt. J. J. Dollins; Delano's Company Adams County Illinois Cavalry, Lieut. J. K. Catlin; and Dougherty's Brigade, consisting of Twenty-second Regiment Illinois Volunteers, Lieut. Col. H. E. Hart; Seventh Regiment Iowa Volunteers, Col. J. G. Lauman, amounting to 3,114 men of all arms, to make the demonstration against Columbus. I proceeded down the river to a point 9 miles below here, where we lay until next morning, on the Kentucky shore, which served to distract the enemy and led him to suppose that he was to be attacked in his strongly fortified position at Columbus.

About 2 o'clock on the morning of the 7th I received information from Col. W. H. L. Wallace at Charleston (sent by a messenger on steamer W. H. B.) that he had learned from a reliable Union man that the enemy had been crossing troops from Columbus to Belmont the day before, for the purpose of following after and cutting off the forces under Colonel Oglesby. Such a move on his part seemed to me more than probable, and gave at once a twofold importance to my demonstration against the enemy—namely, the prevention of reinforcements to General Price, and the cutting off of the two small columns that I had sent, in pursuance of directions, from this place and Cape Girardeau, in pursuit of Jeff. Thompson. This information determined me to attack vigorously his forces at Belmont, knowing that should we be repulsed, we would re-embark without difficulty under the protection of the gunboats. The following order was given:

ON BOARD STEAMER BELLE MEMPHIS,        

November 7, 1861—2 o'clock a.m.

The troops composing the present expedition from this place will move promptly at 6 o'clock this morning. The gunboats will take the advance, and be followed by the First Brigade, under command of Brig. Gen. John A. McClernand, composed of all the troops from Cairo and Fort Holt. The Second Brigade, comprising the remainder of the troops of the expedition, commanded by Col. Henry Dougherty, will follow. The entire force will debark at the lowest point on the Missouri shore where a landing can be effected in security from the rebel batteries. The point of debarkation will be designated by Captain Walke, commanding naval forces.

 

By order of Brig. Gen. U.S. Grant:

JOHN A. RAWLINS,                       

Assistant Adjutant-General.

Promptly at the hour designated we proceeded down the river to point just out of range of the rebel batteries at Columbus, and debarked on the Missouri shore. From here the troops were marched, with skirmishers well in advance, by flank for about a mile towards Belmont, and there formed in line of battle. One battalion had been left as a reserve near the transports. Two companies from each regiment were thrown forward as skirmishers, to ascertain the position of the enemy, and about 9 o'clock met and engaged him. The balance of my force, with the exception of the reserve, was promptly thrown forward, and drove the enemy foot by foot, and from tree to tree, back to his encampment on the river bank, a distance of over 2 miles. Here he had strengthened his position by felling the timber for several hundred yards around his camp, making a sort of abatis. Our men charged through this, driving the enemy under cover of the bank, and many of them into their transports, in quick time, leaving us in possession of everything not exceedingly portable.

Belmont is situated on low ground, and every foot is commanded by the guns on the opposite shore, and of course could not be held for a single hour after the enemy became aware of the withdrawal of his troops. Having no wagons with me, I could move but little of the captured property, consequently gave orders for the destruction of everything that could not be moved and an immediate return to our transports. Tents, blankets, &c., were set on fire and destroyed, and our return march commenced, taking his artillery and a large number of captured horses and prisoners with us. Three pieces of artillery being drawn by hand, and one by an inefficient team, were spiked and left on the road; two were brought to this place.

We had but fairly got under way when the enemy, having received re-enforcements, rallied under cover of the river bank and the woods on the point of land in the bend of the river above us, and made his appearance between us and our transports, evidently with a design of cutting off our return to them.

Our troops were not in the least discouraged, but charged the enemy and again defeated him. We then, with the exception of the Twenty-seventh Illinois, Col. N. B. Buford commanding, reached our transports and embarked without further molestation. While waiting for the arrival of this regiment, and to get some of our wounded from a field hospital near by, the enemy, having crossed fresh troops from Columbus, again made his appearance on the river bank, and commenced firing upon our transports. The fire was returned by our men from the decks of the steamers, and also by the gunboats with terrible effect, compelling him to retire in the direction of Belmont. In the mean time Colonel Buford, although he had received orders to return with the main force, took the Charleston road from Belmont, and came in on the road leading to Bird's Point, where we had formed the line of battle in the morning. At this point, to avoid the effect of the shells from the gunboats that were beginning to fall among his men, he took a blind path direct to the river, and followed a wood road up its bank, and thereby avoided meeting the enemy, who were retiring by the main road. On his appearance on the river bank a steamer was dropped down, and took his command on board, without his having participated or lost a man in the enemy's attempt to cut us off from our transports.

Notwithstanding the crowded state of our transports, the only loss we sustained from the enemy's fire upon them was three men wounded, one of whom belonged to one of the boats.

Our loss in killed on the field was 85, 301 wounded (many of them, however, slightly), and 99 missing. Of the wounded, 125 fell into the hands of the enemy. Nearly all the missing were from the Seventh Iowa Regiment, which suffered more severely than any other. All the troops behaved with great gallantry, which was in a great degree attributable to the coolness and presence of mind of their officers, particularly the colonels commanding.

General McClernand was in the midst of danger throughout the engagement, and displayed both coolness and judgment. His horse was three times shot under him.

Colonel Dougherty, Twenty-second Illinois Volunteers, commanding the Second Brigade, by his coolness and bravery entitles himself to be named among the most competent of officers for command of troops in battle. In our second engagement he was three times wounded, and fell a prisoner in the hands of the enemy.

Among the killed was Lieut. Col. A. Wentz, Seventh Iowa Volunteers, and among the wounded were Col. J. G. Lauman and Maj. E. W. Rice, of the Seventh Iowa.

The reports of subcommanders will detail more fully particulars of the engagement, and the conduct of both officers and men.

To my staff, Capt. John A. Rawlins, assistant adjutant-general; Lieuts. C. B. Lagow and William S. Hillyer, aides-de-camp, and Capt. R. B. Hatch, assistant quartermaster, I am much indebted for the promptitude with which they discharged their several duties.

Surg. J. H. Brinton, U.S. volunteers, chief medical officer, was on the field during the entire engagement, and displayed great ability and efficiency in providing for the wounded, and in organizing the medical corps.

Maj. J. D. Webster, acting chief engineer, also accompanied me on the field, and displayed soldierly qualities of a high order.

My own horse was shot under me during the engagement.

The gunboats Tyler, Captain Walke, and Lexington, Captain Stembel, convoyed the expedition, and rendered most efficient service. Immediately upon our landing they engaged the enemy's batteries on the heights above Columbus, and protected our transports throughout. For a detailed account of the part taken by them I refer with pleasure to the accompanying report of Capt. H. Walke, senior officer [No. 3].

In pursuance of my request, General Smith, commanding at Paducah, sent on the 7th instant a force to Mayfield, Ky., and another in the direction of Columbus, with orders not to approach nearer, however,  than 12 or 15 miles of that place. I also sent a small force on the Kentucky side towards Columbus, under Col. John Cook, Seventh Illinois Volunteers, with orders not to go beyond Elliott's Mills, distant some 12 miles from Columbus. These forces having marched to the points designated in their orders, returned without having met serious resistance.

On the evening of the 7th information of the result of the engagement at Belmont was sent to Colonel Oglesby, commanding expedition against Jeff. Thompson, and orders to return to Bird's Point by way of Charleston, Mo. Before these reached him, however, he had learned that Jeff. Thompson had left the place where he was reported to be when the expedition started (he having gone towards New Madrid or Arkansas), and had determined to return. The same information was sent to the commanding officer at Cape Girardeau, with directions for the troops to be brought back that had gone out from that place.

From all the information I have been able to obtain since the engagement, the enemy's loss in killed and wounded was much greater than ours. We captured 175 prisoners, all his artillery and transportation, and destroyed his entire camp and garrison equipage. Independent of the injuries inflicted upon him, and the prevention of his re-enforcing Price or sending a force to cut off the expeditions against Jeff. Thompson, the confidence inspired in our troops in the engagement will be of incalculable benefit to us in the future.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

U. S. GRANT,        

Brigadier-General.

Brig. Gen. SETH WILLIAMS,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Washington, D.C.

———

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT SOUTHEAST MISSOURI.        

Cairo, November 20, 1861

GENERAL: Inclosed I send you the report of Brig. Gen. J. A. McClernand, commanding First Brigade in the late engagement at Belmont, Mo. Also the report of Surgeon Brinton, medical director, who accompanied me on that occasion. [Nos. 2 and 4.]

The Seventh Iowa and Twenty-second Illinois Volunteers were the only troops in the engagement not included in General McClernand's command. Each of these lost their commanders, wounded, and consequently I have no official report of them. Being on the field myself during the entire engagement, I can answer for the gallantry of officers and men of both these regiments.

The Seventh Iowa lost their colonel (Lauman), wounded severely, and lieutenant-colonel (Wentz), killed, and major (Rice), severely wounded. Lieutenants Dodge and Gardner and 23 rank and file were killed; wounded, Captains Gardner, Harper, and Parrott, and Lieutenant Reams and 74 others.

Of the Twenty-second Illinois, Colonel Dougherty was badly wounded and taken prisoner. Twenty-one rank and file were killed. Captains Hubbard and McAdams and 74 men were wounded. Information received since the engagement through the Southern press, and from persons coming from the South since, show the enemy's force in the field to have been over 9,000 men, and their loss in killed and wounded alone not less than 600. My own impression is, their loss was much greater.

The city of Memphis was thrown into mourning for the dead and wounded taken there. Great apprehension is said to have prevailed lest the blow should be followed up with an attack upon them.

The officers and men, with rare exceptions, showed great personal courage, and I have every reason to be satisfied with their conduct. The lesson, though severe, will be of great advantage to the entire command. The object aimed at, to wit, to prevent the enemy from re-enforcing Price in Missouri, and from cutting off two small columns I had been directed to send towards the Saint Francois River, was accomplished to the fullest extent. The enemy have entirely abandoned Belmont, and have been receiving re-enforcements in Columbus continually since the engagement.

I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

U.S. GRANT,        

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

General SETH WILLIAMS,
        Asst. Adjt. Gen., U. S. Army, Washington, D.C.

———

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT SOUTHEAST MISSOURI,        

Cairo, Ill., November 5, 1861.

General C. F. SMITH,
        Commanding U.S. Forces, Paducah, Ky.:

In pursuance of directions from headquarters Western Department I have sent from here a force of about 3,000 men, all armed, towards Indian Ford, on the Saint Francis River, and also a force of one regiment from Cape Girardeau in the same direction. I am now, under the same instructions, fitting out an expedition to menace Belmont, and will take all the force proper to spare from here—probably not more than 3,000 men. If you can make a demonstration towards Columbus at the same time with a portion of your command, it would probably keep the enemy from throwing over the river much more force than they now have there, and might enable me to drive those they now have out of Missouri. The principal point to gain is to prevent the enemy from sending a force to fall in the rear of those now out from this command. I will leave here to-morrow night and land some 12 miles below.

U.S. GRANT,        

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

———

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT SOUTHEAST MISSOURI,        

Cairo, Ill, November 6, 1861.

Col. J. COOK,
        Commanding U. S. Forces, Fort Holt, Ky.:

In pursuance with instructions sent this morning, you will march to-morrow morning with the command directed to Elliott's Mills, taking two days' rations. Should you receive no further instructions by 2 p.m., the day after to-morrow, you will return to Fort Holt. Take with you no more transportation than is absolutely necessary to the limited amount of tents and baggage for one night.

U.S. GRANT,        

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

———

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT SOUTHEAST MISSOURI,        

Cairo, Ill., November 6, 1861.

Col. C. C. MARSH,
        Commanding Twentieth Illinois Volunteers:

On to-morrow I want an infantry reconnaissance made out to Charleston, to return in the evening. Take such number as can be accommodated by the cars, making one trip, not to exceed, however, your regiment.

U.S. GRANT,        

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

———

ORDERS, No. —

HDQRS. DISTRICT SOUTHEAST MISSOURI,        

Cairo, November 8, 1861.

The general commanding this military district returns his thanks to the troops under his command at the battle of Belmont on yesterday. 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 many 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.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 3 (Serial No. 3), pp. 267-74

Official Reports of the Engagement at Belmont, Missouri, and Demonstration from Paducah upon Columbus, Kentucky. November 7, 1861. No. 5. — Report of Col. Napoleon B. Buford, Twenty-seventh Illinois Infantry.

No. 5.

Report of Col. Napoleon B. Buford, Twenty-seventh Illinois Infantry.

HDQRS. TWENTY-SEVENTH REG'T ILL. VOLS.,        

Cairo, November 9, 1861.

SIR: I have the honor to report the part which my regiment took in the battle of Belmont on the 7th instant. The regiment, numbering 720 rank and file, were on board the steamer Montgomery at 4 o'clock p.m. of the 6th instant, which landed on the Kentucky shore at foot of Island No. 1 to await the following daybreak, at which time we steamed down the river to a point on the Missouri shore, in full view of the batteries at Columbus, Ky., and at 7 o'clock a.m. I landed the regiment, and took up the position assigned me by yourself on the right of the First Brigade, which was parallel to a bayou, which was in some places dry and in others impassable, and directly opposite one of the roads to Belmont, at the distance of 1¼ miles from the enemy's camp. I immediately advanced the first platoon of Company A, under the command of Captain Schmitt and Lieutenant Shipley, across the bayou into the woods, to ascertain the nature of the ground and discover the position of the enemy, whose drums were distinctly heard. The detachment had advanced only 100 yards before they were fired upon by a body of cavalry, which they repulsed. As soon as the firing was heard I advanced the remainder of Schmitt's company, and supported them with the whole regiment, which I caused to cross the bayou. Schmitt's company, having advanced about 200 yards farther, were again fired upon by a larger body of cavalry, wounding one of his men, which he gallantly repulsed a second time. At this time, by your orders, Colonel Fouke brought up his regiment to my support, which he quickly formed on my left, and sent out two of his companies as skirmishers. It was here that you found me in advance of the place assigned me, and as the artillery and the other regiments, not of your brigade, had not yet come up, by your orders I moved back to the right of my first position, with Fouke's and Logan's regiments all formed in line of battle.

While waiting for the arrival of Taylor's battery, my regiment was advanced half a mile to the right, and companies A and B sent forward under the command of Captain Schmitt, with orders to feel the enemy and engage him if found in that direction. Taylor's battery having arrived, the whole attacking force, with the exception of my regiment, moved forward on the direct road to Belmont, and the engagement  became warm, you leading your brigade. From the information I received I became assured that the road I was on led to the rear of Belmont, and that by following it rapidly I would get into action at the right time and in the right place.

Guided by the sound of the fierce battle in which you were all the time engaged, I moved forward. At my request you had detached Captain Bielaski, one of your aides, to attend me, who rode with me at the head of the regiment. As we pressed forward in the woods, Captain Dollins, with his cavalry, appeared on my left, and obeyed my orders with alacrity to go forward and discover the enemy.

Our road soon led to a full view of the river and Wolf's Island, below Belmont, where we met straggling soldiers retreating, of whom we captured several, Captain Parke securing the first one. The troops became animated and quickened their step, and came in sight of the camp, which was defended with an almost impassable abatis of huge sycamore trees.

I here formed our line of battle, the right opposite the abatis, the left in the open space in full view of Columbus, and under the fire of the field artillery in Belmont and the enemy's guns on the opposite side of the river. As we approached by the right flank, before the line could be formed at right angles we received a heavy fire of muskery, which killed and wounded some of my men. While forming under fire the gallant Captain Bielaski, on his charger, was seen animating the men and assisting in forming the line. His heroic bearing was observed by us all. After having his horse shot under him he seized a flag, and, advancing with shouts, he fell mortally wounded. Lieutenant-Colonel Harrington and Adjutant Rust were near me on the right, leading bravely forward, while Major Wilson was doing the same on the left. The nature of the ground, the obstacles, and the heavy cannonading which was reaching us caused each company to take up the best position it could, and all kept up a constant fire, which soon drove the enemy from his camp. Here we lost about 9 killed and 30 wounded.

My next order was to advance over the abatis on the right and across the plain on the left, and occupy the camp over which the enemy's flag still waved. The order was obeyed on the double-quick, and the camp entered simultaneously by companies A, Captain Schmitt, and G, Captain Southward and others in such quick succession that I could not distinguish which went forward with most alacrity. Captain Schmitt, with part of his company, and Lieutenant Lytle, with part of Southward's company, were the first to reach the flag, which was torn down by their joint efforts, and it remained in the hands of Lieutenant Lytle, who brought it away, a trophy well earned by the intrepidity he displayed during the whole day. As we advanced to make this attack the "Star-Spangled Banner," borne by Fouke's, Logan's, and other of the regiments engaged, was seen steadily advancing on our left; Taylor's battery was brought forward and opened fire, the enemy's artillery was captured, and we had possession of Belmont.

While these deeds were being enacted you rode into our midst, and it was by your order that my regiment fired the camp. We had taken about 70 prisoners and many muskets, pistols, horses, and trophies. I placed the prisoners under charge of Captain Schmitt, who was wounded in the enemy's camp, and he and Captain Miles, with other prisoners he had captured, began to return to the boats. Shot and shell from Columbus made it necessary that my regiment should now fall back behind the abatis and into the woods. The victory appeared won. We commenced retiring to our boats, but soon a new attack, made by fresh troops, who had been landed from Columbus in the woods, intercepted our march. We returned their fire by a part of our regiment, and sought to find a new route to return. Covered by the woods, and guided by the descending sun, I led the regiment northward until I reached the bayou we had marched around in the morning to outflank the enemy, and recognizing the position, went confidently around it and got within 1 mile of the starting-point of the morning, but was admonished to take a northerly direction by the continued sound of musketry between us and where our boats were left in the morning and by the heavy cannonading from our own gunboats. We marched northward in rear of the farms on Lucas Bend, a distance of about 3 miles, before returning to the river near sunset, exposed during the whole march to the shot and shell of our own gunboats, which happily did us no injury.

On reaching the river the fleet of gunboats and steamboats were all far in advance, steaming towards Cairo. We marched forward, greatly fatigued, with the prospect of a long night's march. Our wounded men were limping along, and all our horses were surrendered to them. The sun was setting. I met a settler, who had a frank, honest face, from whom I borrowed his horse, and mounted Adjutant Rust upon him to gallop forward, and if possible reach the steamer which was nearest us. The steamer was seen to be halting, floating back to Beckwith's Landing. The adjutant reached the steamer Chancellor, hailed, and was answered by General McClernand that he was halting with the steamer and the two gunboats to take all on board. We soon met you on the shore, happy in knowing you had bravely led the brigade and continued unwearied in securing its safety.

And now how shall I distinguish those of my own command who did nobly? It was our first action. We encountered great odds; the enemy in his fortified position, the thunder of the heavy artillery from Columbus, the whizzing of rifled cannon; we had no guides. How could soldiers who had only volunteered a few days ago be expected to brave such odds! But they did brave them. My thanks are due to Lieutenant-Colonel Harrington, to Major Wilson, and to Adjutant Rust, who nobly assisted in forming the line under the fire and rallying the troops and in covering the retreat; also to Captains Schmitt, Parke, Moore, Miles, Southward, Brooks, Merrill, and Bozarth, and all the officers under their command; also to Sergeant Jansen, of Company A, and Fourth Sergeant McCormick, of Company B, whom I observed nobly doing their duty. Surg. E. H. Bowman was at his post, dressed the first wounded man, and was the last to leave his post. Happy am I that he is safe. Assistant Surgeon Barrell remained at home by my order to take care of the sick, but obeyed reluctantly. Quartermaster Sears solicited me to accompany the expedition, but as we took no train, I left him in command of the camp at home. Chaplain Rev. Dr. S. Y. McMasters accompanied the expedition, and was unwearied in consoling and dressing the wounded.

We lost 11 killed, 42 wounded, 28 missing, and 14 known to be prisoners. Among the mortally wounded was Lieut. William Shipley, of Company A, from Quincy, a young man of rare merits. He had for some time been unwell, and was by me directed to remain in camp; but when the column marched he was at his post, radiant with smiles, and was in the battle from first to last, receiving his wound on the retreat within a mile of the boats.

All of which is respectfully submitted.

N. B. BUFORD,        

Colonel Twenty-seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteers.

Brig. Gen. JOHN A. McCLERNAND,
        Commanding First Brigade Illinois Volunteers.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 3 (Serial No. 3), pp. 283-5

Diary of Private Edward W. Crippin, Friday Morning, November 1, 1861

Comp. Drill from 9, to 11, weather does not seem to moderate much     A Slight drizzling rain commenced falling about Two O'clock prevented Drilling in the afternoon undress Parade. Capt R. S. More ordered under arrest by Col. Buford,¹ published on Dress Parade

_______________

¹ Napoleon B. Buford was a graduate of West Point, law student, assistant professor at West Point, 1833 to 1835, civil engineer, Illinois merchant, banker and railroad builder. At the outbreak of the Civil War, his banking business was ruined due to large investments in Southern State bonds. He gave up all his property to satisfy his obligations and was commissioned Colonel of the 27th Illinois Volunteers by Governor Yates. For his gallant conduct at the battles of Belmont, Island No. 10, and Union City he was commissioned Brigadier-General by the President. When he left the service, he held the commission of Major-General. Eddy, Patriotism of Illinois, [Vol.] II., pp. 56-57.

SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 230

Diary of Private Edward W. Crippin, Saturday, November 2, 1861

Camp Cairo, Illinois. . . . colder than ever morning Drill as usual. Our Co. is on Police Duty to day L. F. Williams Captain of the Guard to day by order of H. A. Rust

Capt. Parke Capt. Merrill & Liut Stout are to day placed under arrest—by order of that Benevolent Old Creature, Col. Buford. The nature of the charges to be preferred against them is still a mystery to all. but some of the more knowing ones are slyly hinting around that a petition has been gotten up here in camp, setting forth the objections to Col. Buford as a Col. & respectfully soliciting him to resign his Office, & that said petition has been signed by said Officers for which offense his majesty has seen fit to place them under arrest: how true this is remains to be seen.

SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 230

Diary of Private Edward W. Crippin, Thursday Morning, November 7, 1861

Camp Cairo Illinois. . . . no Drill this morning. At day light the fleet once more get under way and in Co. with the 2 Gun Boats Lexington and Tyler Proceede down the River to a point 3 miles above Columbus; landed on the Mo. side. Disembarked all of our forces the 27th taking the lead we marched around to a point about 3 miles distant from our landing place and about opposite the enemys encampment at Belmont opposite Columbus & on this side of the River. By throwing out skirmishers from our right flank the position of the enemy was ascertained. The 30th & 31st Regts were then sent forward to engage him, the 30th to attack the center & 31st his left flank while the 22nd Ills. 7th Iowa & Taylors Battery supported the center     The 31st were the first to engage the enemy and soon the action became general, from left to center. The 27th which in the mean time had been lying at the point from which skirmishers had been sent out was now ordered around to attack him on his right flank which we did though at a great disadvantage having to fight him in his own position among fallen timbers, after one hour's hard fighting we had the satisfaction of driving him from his encampment tearing down their "cursed Rag" and planting the stars and stripes where it had lately waved.¹ Here was scene presented to the Eye which can be easier imagined than described.

All over the Battle field they scattered and in heaps The dead and the dying Friend and Foe lay in close proximity to each other. Some torn asunder by cannon balls some with frightful wounds here and there in different parts of the body Some were killed out right with musket balls through the temples or forehead others with limbs torn completely off suffering the most torturing agonies 'twas a most horrible sight to contemplate But we were not allowed but a very short time to contemplate for the enemy by this time had reinforced by Cheatham's Brigade of Five Thousand men again advanced upon us evidently with the intention of cutting off our retreat. And just at this moment they commenced shelling us from Columbus from their Batteries of 60 Guns, The shells fell among us thick and fast. However previous to this we had the satisfaction setting fire to their Camp & destroying it. Now the command in order to work its way back to boats—had to its way through the enemy—resulting in the loss of many brave fellows killed and wounded the enemy pursuing until we reached the boats. Our forces having embarked safely before they came up Except the 27th which in order to evade the enemy, our Sagacious Col. as he has proved himself to be in this day's fight marched around the Bayou some Three miles above where the boats lay, Thereby escaping the terrible fire to which the balance of our forces were exposed.

Our Regt. was brought up by the Gun Boat Lexington.²

_______________

¹ Colonel Buford of the 27th Illinois in his official report of Nov. 9, 1861, praises the work of his men in the following words: "It was our first action. We encountered great odds; the enemy in his fortified position, the thunder of the heavy artillery from Columbus, the whizzing of rifled cannon; we had no guides. How could soldiers who had only volunteered a few days ago be expected to brave such odds? But they did brave them." War of the Rebellion, Official Records, Series I.,vol. III., p. 285.

² See the report of General Grant for the verification of this episode. Nov. 17, 1861. War of the Rebellion, OfficialRecords, Series I., vol. III., pp. 269-271. See especially p. 271: "At this point, to avoid the effect of the shells from the gunboats that were beginning to fall among his men, he [Colonel Buford] took a blind path direct to the river, and followed a wood road up its bank, and thereby avoided meeting the enemy, who were retiring by the main road. On his appearance on the river bank a steamer was dropped down, and took his command on board, without his having participated or lost a man in the enemy's attempt to cut us off from our transports." For further light on this engagement see Ibid. pp. 275, 277-280, 282-285, 288, 289, 291.

SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, pp. 231-2

Diary of Private Edward W. Crippin, Thursday Morning, October 31, 1861

Still cool Regimental muster for Pay. The forces now stationed here are all mustered to day—on the Brigade parade ground—An Order placing Capt. Hart under arrest by Col. Buford¹—was read this evening on Dress Parade.

_______________

¹ Napoleon B. Buford was a graduate of West Point, law student, assistant professor at West Point, 1833 to 1835, civil engineer, Illinois merchant, banker and railroad builder. At the outbreak of the Civil War, his banking business was ruined due to large investments in Southern State bonds. He gave up all his property to satisfy his obligations and was commissioned Colonel of the 27th Illinois Volunteers by Governor Yates. For his gallant conduct at the battles of Belmont, Island No. 10, and Union City he was commissioned Brigadier-General by the President. When he left the service, he held the commission of Major-General. Eddy, Patriotism of Illinois, II., pp. 56-57.

SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 230

Diary of Private Edward W. Crippin, Sunday Morning, September 15, 1861

Bright and beautiful. Three Comps. arrived this morning making out Regt. complete Each Cap. drew co. letter this morning by lotery out [sic; possibily our] Capt. drew letter C. Situation of each Co. has been changed a little to conform with the lettering Dress Parade this evening Our new Chaplain introduced.¹

_______________

¹See Eddy, The Patriotism of Illinois, II., pp. 53-54. The 27th Illinois was raised for the most part in the counties of Adams, Scott, Pike, Madison, Jersey, Mason, Macoupin, Mercer, Jackson, Henry and Morgan. Eddy states that it was mustered into service at Camp Butler on the 10th of August, 1861. Some of the officers who will be mentioned in this diary are: Colonel, N. B. Buford; Lieutenant-Colonel, F. A. Harrington; Adjutant, Henry A. Rust; Quartermaster, David B. Sears; Chaplain, S. Young McMasters; Captain W. A. Schmitt of Company A; Captain Jonathan R. Miles of Company F, who later becomes Colonel of the regiment. The officers of Company C, of which our diarist was a member, at this time were: Captain, Lemuel Parke; 1st Lieutenant, Lyman G. Allen; 2nd Lieutenant, Laommi F. Williams.

SOURCE: Transactions of the Illinois State Historical Society for the Year 1909, p. 226

Edwin M. Stanton to Napoleon B. Buford, September 26, 1863 – 2:10 p.m.

WAR DEPARTMENT,         

Washington City, September 26, 1863 — 2.10 p.m.

General BUFORD,

Commanding at Cairo:

I am informed that there are at Cairo 44 box and flat cars, 5-foot gauge. I want them at Louisville. Can you send them up immediately to be put on the road to Nashville? If it be possible, do so with the utmost speed, and report.

EDWIN M. STANTON.

SOURCES: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 30, Part 3 (Serial No. 52), p. 871

1st Lieutenant Charles Wright Wills: May 11, 1862

Corinth and Hamburg Road, Miss., May 11, 1862.

You remember that in my last I spoke of a reconnoisance our people made on the 8th inst. On the 9th Beauregard returned it with interest, driving our advance back some two miles and almost scaring this wing of the Eagle. He appeared on our left flank, where I think Pope thought it impossible for him to reach, and drove Paine's division from the front like a drove of sheep. Tis said that a charge made by the 2d Iowa Cavalry was the salvation of both of Paine's brigades. The charge, if we hear correctly, was one of the most gallant things of the war. One of our battalions was out yesterday examining our left to see if the Rebels were still there. They found no signs of them, but on their return to camp were fired into by some of General Buford's artillery, and one man killed by a 6-pound solid shot from Company A. There is almost incessant firing along the front but too light and scattering to forbode an immediate fight of itself, although 'twould surprise no one to hear of the dance commencing at any hour. Corinth is a tremendously strong place, very difficult to approach, and holding a force that our officers think much superior to our own. This is kept from the army, though I don't think now that we have more than 80,000 fighting men here. They must have over 100,000, and this conscription act is pouring in reinforcements to them by thousands. But, notwithstanding this, I think the superior discipline of our men will give us a victory when the fight does come. The strongest evidence that I see of Halleck's weakness is his delaying the battle so long We are in distance to strike any day; roads splendid, army in better condition every day than it will be the next day, weather becoming too hot for men to endure much longer, and yet we wait. What for, I don't know, unless 'tis for reinforcements. They say Curtis and Siegel are coming. I hope they'll get here to-night and finish the thing up to-morrow. The weather is taking the vim out of the men remarkably. To-day there is a good stray breeze, and yet a man can hardly get enough of the rarified stuff they call air here to fill his lungs. Plenty of chestnuts in this country. Plenty of hills and plenty of woods but a great scarcity of about everything else. There is no more soil on the earth here than you'll find on any Illinois school house floor, and 'tis a question which would grow the best crops.

The colonel is anxious to have the regiment in the battle when it comes off, while your brother thinks if they can do the work without us he won't be at all angry. I like skirmishing pretty well but am dubious about the fun showing itself so strongly in a battle. I guess I had a dozen shots thrown at me individually on the 8th at from 100 to 450 yards, and I got my return shot nearly every time and some extra ones, but rather think they all got off as well as I did. The carbines are not very correct shooters, and your brother is a ditto, so I have the satisfaction of knowing that I haven’t killed anybody yet.

SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 88-9

Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Wednesday, April 2, 1862.

Mrs Browning and Emma went this morning to Mount Vernon, with a party from the Presidents

*I was in the Senate all day At night I went up to the Presidents and had a talk with him about Genl McClelland whose loyalty is beginning to be questioned in some quarters I asked him if he still had confidence in McClellands fidelity. He assured me he had, and that he had never had any reason to doubt it. That he had now gone to Fortress Monroe with his Command, with orders to move on Richmond without delay, and that only on yesterday when McClelland came to take leave of him preparatory to marching, he shed tears when speaking of the cruel imputations upon his loyalty, and defending himself against them The President added that Genl Scott, and all the leading military men around him, had always assured him that McClelland possessed a very high order of military talent, and that he did not think they could all be mistaken — yet he was not fully satisfied with his conduct of the war — that he was not sufficiently energetic and aggressive in his measures — that he had studied McClelland and taken his measure as well as he could — that he thought he had the capacity to make arrangements properly for a great conflict, but as the hour for action approached he became nervous and oppressed with the responsibility and hesitated to meet the crisis, but that he had given him peremptory orders to move now, and he must do it.  *Whilst we were in conversation Secretary Stanton came in.

Supposing he had private business I proposed to leave, but both he and the President insisted that I should remain, and I did so. Stanton then commenced a conversation about McClelland, saying that there was a very general distrust of his loyalty growing up in the Country. He then took from his pocket a letter, which he said he had just received from one of the first men of the Nation, who was known to both the President and myself, but whose name he would not mention, and read from it a passage stating that McClelland some time in 1860 had been  initiated as a Knight of the Golden Circle by Jeff Davis — that Davis still had great power and influence over him, and that he would do nothing against the rebels which would be inconsistent with his obligations as a Knight of the golden Circle, and that disaster would come upon us as long as he was continued in the Command. Stanton added that he did not believe these* imputations of disloyalty, but they were believed extensively and did us injury¹ When we left the President Stanton took me in his carriage and brought me home. As we rode down the Avenue he expressed the opinion that McClelland ought to have been removed long ago, and a fear that he was not in earnest, and said that he did not think he could emancipate himself from the influence of Jeff Davis, and feared he was not willing to do any thing calculated greatly to damage the cause of secession, *and that if I would propose to the President to appoint Col N B Buford of Illinois, a Majr Genl. and give him the Command of the army here he would second my application.

He said that when McDowell was appointed he was greatly dissatisfied — thought him unfit for the place, and when he lost the battle of Bull Run he denounced him fiercely; but since he became Secy of War, and had had much official communication with McDowell, and heard his explanations of the battle of Bull Run he was satisfied he had done him injustice, and with shame

for having said it, he took back all he had said That he was now satisfied that he was an able officer, more able than any on the Potomac, and an earnest, gallant man intent upon doing his duty &^c.

__________

¹ From various sources suggestions may be derived connecting McClellan with the treasonable organization known as the "Knights of the Golden Circle." In the diary of Edward Bates, under date of October 28, 1864, there is inserted a pamphlet entitled "General McClellan's Record: His Sympathy with the South — Read for Yourselves." This pamphlet consists of twelve pages and is made up of communications from various parties denouncing McClellan as a traitor and comparing him with Benedict Arnold. Says a correspondent of the Cincinnati Times, October 20, 1864: "It is rumored that McClellan is known to be a member of the . . . Knights of the Golden Circle and that after due deliberation by that order they decided that Mac should fight for the South on free soil, that Mac said he never intended to order an engagement . . . that Mac received Rebel letters during the engagement at Antietam and was in Lee's lines," etc. On the same date Bates pastes in his diary a newspaper clipping which is evidently taken from the Cincinnati Times. It is a communication to "Mr. Editor," signed by Edgar Conkling and dated Cincinnati, October 24, 1864. The writer mentions the "conclusive testimony . . . of General McClellan's treason," and demands a full publication of the facts in order to defeat the "election of the traitor to the Presidency." Bates writes this comment in the margin: "These fierce denunciations do no good, but great harm. McClellan has faults enough, both negative and affirmative, and his party is in the same condition. These charges of treachery and treason, not well established by proof, do but take off the edge from other accusations which cannot be defended, thus discrediting the best-founded objections against him, and exciting a popular sympathy for him as a persecuted man." It should be added that membership in the Knights of the Golden Circle, if such membership antedated the Civil War, would not necessarily imply treason. A convention of the "Knights," held at Raleigh, N. C, in May, 1860, issued an Address to Citizens of the Southern States, which shows that the order originated at Lexington, Ky., July 4, 1854, and that its early purpose was to combat emigrant aid societies and similar abolition activities, to anticipate the North in the settlement of Mexico, and to acquire that country for the purpose of increasing the area of the South which otherwise could no longer hope to obtain beneficial laws through Congress. For the privilege of examining the diary of Edward Bates in manuscript the editors are indebted to the courtesy of Miss Helen Nicolay, of Washington, D. C. The Address to Citizens of the Southern States, issued by order of a convention of the Knights of the Golden Circle, Raleigh, N. C, May 7-11, 1860, is to be found among the broadsides in the Manuscripts Division of the Library of Congress, Washington.

SOURCE: Theodore Calvin Pease, editor, The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning: Volume 1, 1850-1864, p. 537-9

First Session -- 37th Congress

WASHINGTON, April 4. – HOUSE. – The House went into Committee of the Whole on the States of the Union, Mr. Webster in the Chair.

On motion of Mr. STEVENS, the bill to establish a branch Mint at Denver, in Colorado Territory, was taken up, and debate limited to five minute speeches.

Mr. VALLANDIGHAM said an allusion had been made in the Senate recently, to a Democratic conference held last week.  As to what took place there, he had no right to speak, but the injunction of secrecy did not apply to the call – which was in these words:

Democratic Conference. – We, the undersigned, members of the Democratic party, of the United States, determined to adhere to its ancient principles, and maintain its organization unbroken under all circumstances, as the party able to maintain the Constitution, to restore the old Union of the Sates, do hereby united in this call for a conference of all who may sign the same approving the objects indicated.

This call was signed by some thirty-five members of the Senate and House of Representatives.

Mr. STEVENS asked who signed it.

Mr. VALLANDIGHAM &c.  He continued, all of them are able to read and right.  No one made his mark.  If this did not refer to a political organization, he was not capable of understanding language.  The movement thus commenced would go on, and it was the determination of some that the organization should be completed.  Beyond this he was not able to speak.  His name was appended to the call.

The Committee rose and the bill for the branch Mint ad Denver passed.

The House went into committee of the whole.

Mr. BEAMAN expressed his views in favor of establishing Territorial Governments in the so-called Confederate States.

The committee rose and the House adjourned till Monday.

Several bills relating to the District of Columbia, were passed, and after Executive session the Senate adjourned till Monday.

WASHINGTON, April 8. – HOUSE. – Mr. VALLANDIGHAM offered a resolution, which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, proposing with the consent of the Senate to adjourn on the third Monday in May.

Mr. ARNOLD read a dispatch from Com. Foote to Secretary Wells, dated Island Nol. 10, saying that two officers of the rebel Navy from Island 10, boarded the Benton yesterday, offering to surrender the Island.  The dispatch was received with rounds of applause.

The House resumed the consideration of the amendments to the tax bill.  Among other amendments concurred in, are the following:

Every person owning a dog to pay a tax of one dollar; pleasure or racing vessels, under the value of six hundred dollars, shall pay a tax of five dollars, when not exceeding one thousand dollars in value, ten dollars, and for every thousand dollars additional, ten dollars; organs and melodeons kept for use [or on] sale, according to value, from 60 cents to $6.  All dividends in scrip or money or sums of money hereafter held due or payable to the stockholders of any railroad company, as part of the earnings, profits or gain of said companies, shall be subject to pay a duty of 3 per cent on the amount of all such interest or coupons or dividends, whenever the same shall be paid.

Duties of dividends of life insurance shall not be deemed due until such dividends shall be payable by such companies, banks, trust companies or savings institutions.

Insurance companies are authorized and required to deduct and withhold from all payments made to any persons or parties on account of any dividends or sums of money that may be due and payable as aforesaid from the 1st of May next, the said debt or sum of 3 per cent.

Foreign bills of exchange or of credit drawn in, but payable out of the United Sates, if drawn singly, or if drawn in sets of more than one according to the custom of merchants and bankers.  For every bill of exchanged State or drawn on any Foreign country, but payable to the United States, where the sum made payable shall not exceed five hundred dollars, or the equivalent thereof, in any foreign currency, in which such bills may be exposed according to the standard value fixed by the United States, shall pay a stamp duty of five cents; the manifest of a part of a cargo of any vessel or custom of clearance shall pay a duty of twenty-five cents; a manifest in the custom house entry or clearance of the cargo of any ship, vessel or steamer, if the registered tonnage does not exceed three hundred, shall pay a duty of $1; upon every protest of every note, bill of exchange, acceptance, check or draft, in any marine paper, whether protected protested by notary public or any other officer who may be authorized by the law of any State to make such protest, there shall be paid a duty of 25 cents.

The proceedings were agreeably interrupted by Mr. COLFAX sending up to the clerk’s desk to be read:

______ Landing, Tenn., April 8, 8 p. m.

To Hon. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War:

The enemy evacuated Island No. 10 last night.  It is occupied by Col. Buford of the 27th Illinois regiment.  Gen. Pope will capture all that remains on the high lands to-day.  The movement on the rear has done this work.

(Signed.)

THOMAS A. SCOTT.

This was received with loud applause and cries of good.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862, p. 4

Surrender of the Rebels at Island No. 10!

CHICAGO, April 8, P. M. – Island No. 10 surrendered last night to Com. Foote.  No Particulars yet.

CAIRO, April 8. – The Steamer Alps has just arrived from below with the cheering announcement that Island No. 10 is ours.  It was surrendered at midnight last night to Com. Foote, and Col. Buford’s forces now occupy it.  The rebels’ guns, transports, stores and provisions on and around the Island are in our possession. – The number of prisoners and guns taken is not yet ascertained.

Nothing from the Tennessee river, but news of a battle at Corinth is now anxiously looked for.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862, p. 4

Report of Com. Foote

WASHINGTON, April 9. – The following was received at the Navy Department, this morning:

“Flag Ship BENTON, Island No. 10,

April 8, 1862.

“To Hon. G. Wells [sic] Sec’y of Navy

“I have to inform the Department that since I sent the telegram last night, announcing the surrender to me, of Island No. 10, possession has been taken both of the Island and the works upon the Tennessee shore, by the Gunboats and the troops under command of General Buford. – Seventeen officers & 368 privates, besides on hundred of their sick, and one hundred men employed on board the transports, are in our hands unconditional prisoners of war.

I have caused a hasty examination to be made of the forts, batteries and munitions of war captured.  There are 11 earth works, with 70 heavy cannon, varying in caliber from 32 to 100-pounders, rifled.  Their magazines are well supplied with powder, and there are large quantities of shot and shell and other munitions of war and also great quantities of provisions, four steamers afloat, have fallen into our hands and two others, with the rebel gunboat “Grampus,” are sunk, but will be easily raised.  The floating battery of 16 heavy guns, turned adrift by the rebels, is said to by lying on the Missouri shore, near New Madrid.

The enemy upon the main land appear to have fled with great precipitation, after night, leaving many instances, half prepared messes, in their quarters, and there seems to have been no concert of action between the rebels upon the Island and those occupying the shore, but the latter fled, leaving the former to their fate.

These works, erected with the highest engineering skill are of great strength, and with the natural advantages would have been impregnable if defended by men fighting in a better cause.

A combined attack of the naval and land forces would have taken place this p. m., or to-morrow morning, had not the rebels so hastily abandoned their stronghold to mature the plans of attack, which absolutely required 23 days of preparation.

Gen. Pope is momentarily expected to arrive with his army at this point, he having successfully crossed the river yesterday under a heavy fire, which no doubt led to the hasty abandonment of the works.

I am unofficially informed that the two gunboats which so gallantly ran the fire of the rebel batteries a few nights since, yesterday attacked and reduced a part of the works opposite, dismounting eight heavy guns.

The following is a copy of an order of Gen. McCall on assuming command of the Rebel forces on the 11th inst.

Soldiers:  We are strangers, Commander and commanded, each to the other.  Let me tell you who I am.  I am a General made by Beauregard.  A General selected by Beauregard and Bragg for this command when they knew it was in peril.  They have known me for twenty years.  We have stood together on the fields of Mexico.  Give me then, your confidence.  Soldiers, the Mississippi Valley is entrusted to your care.  Exhibit the vigilance and coolness of last night and hold it.

(Signed.)

W. D. McCALL,

Brig. Gen. Commanding.

I regret that the painful condition of my feet, still requiring the use of crutches, prevented me from making a personal examination of the works.  I was therefore compelled to delegate Lieutenant Commanding Phelps of the Flag Ship Benton.

(Signed.)

A. H. FOOTE,

Flag Officer Commanding.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 12, 1862, p. 3

From Cairo

CAIRO, April 1. – The rebel camp at Union City has fallen into our hands.

Col. Buford with 1800 men, composed of the 27th Illinois, a detachment of the 2nd Illinois cavalry, and part of the 15th Wisconsin proceeded to Hickman by transports and thence to Union City, where they fell upon the rebel camp yesterday, and completely routed the enemy.  They destroyed all his tents, camp equipage, stores, &c., and brought off one hundred prisoners and one hundred and fifty horses.  The rebels are supposed to have numbered two thousand, and were under command of the notorious H. Clay King.  Their loss is stated at 20 killed.  Our transports on their return to Island No. 10, had rebel flags flying under the Union flags.

There was very heavy firing yesterday, at Island No. 10.  It is supposed our gunboats are at work in earnest.

The weather is clear and war.  River Falling.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 5, 1862, p. 4

Tornado at Cairo

(Special to Chicago Evening Journal.)

CAIRO, April 2. – The most terrific tornado that has visited this locality for several years, came upon us at 3 o’clock, this morning.  The storm came up from the south, wind, rain, hail, thunder and lightning.

Nearly all the transports, barges, steam tugs and floating property were torn from their moorings on the Ohio levee, and blown across the river.  The slate roof on the St. Charlet [sic] Hotel was scattered over the town.

Several rods of barracks were leveled with the ground, but happily they were not tenanted, or the loss of life would have been terrible.

The Cairo and Columbus wharf boat lays high and dry on the Kentucky shore opposite here.

The steamer Illinois had both her chimneys and upper cabins torn away in the falling of which four or five lives were lost.

Capt. Carroll of the steamer Sallie had his leg broken, and several others were badly injured.  Several barges which had been carried over and were being used for store houses broke loose and floated down the river.

The large piles of Government lumber on the Ohio levee were blown into the river.

The wooden barracks at Bird’s Point caught the gale about midship and caved in largely, also Ft. Holt.  No loss of life at either of the last two points.

Much anxiety is felt for our fleet down at Island No. 10.

We have no news to-day from below, except that the gun-boats and mortars are firing semi-occasionally and the rebels reply just when they please.

Buford’s capture at Union City amounted to seven prisoners and about forty horses, and mules instead of 100 prisoners and 500 horses as before telegraphed.

The water soaking through the levee in Cairo raised five inches last night and is still rising. – Both the steam pumps are working, however – The stench increases and is becoming intolerable, and much sickness must follow this flood.

Many gentlemen tell me that over 200 distinct different odors were ascertained to exist yesterday, several wards yet to hear from and classify.

The coal oil and turpentine trade on the Cumberland river has nearly ceased, of course owing to high water.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 5, 1862, p. 3

Cairo Budget

CHICAGO, March 25, FROM CAIRO 24. – The Steamer Pollard just arrived from Island No. 10 with intelligence from the flotilla up to 8 o’clock Sunday evening.  The same old story – matters remain in statu quo.

Saturday night the gun-boat Mound City exchanged shots with the main land battery with considerable effect.  An officer of the Mound City tells me that with a glass he counted five men killed at a single shot.  On Sunday morning fired with great certainty but the results were not ascertained owning to the unfavorable condition of the weather.

The expected balloon reconnoisance did not take place.

The Pollard narrowly escaped destruction under charge of a drunken pilot.  She was allowed to float half a mile below where the Mound City was stationed, and was made the recipient of rebel favors in the shape of shot and shell from main land batteries with flew all around her, fortunately without effect.

Col. Buford arrested the captain and mate of the steamer Hall, of Memphis, for treason.  They were ordered to land troops at Hickman, Ky., in the night, but passed by and landed them in day time, they giving the enemy notice of their arrival.

Steamers are searched at Paducah on their way to Tennessee river, and correspondents and others without passes are turned back.

The steamer Thomas just from Savannah landing, in Tennessee river, says large Union forces continue at that point.  8,000 men under Gen. Wallace, on Tuesday visited a camp eight miles from the landing where a large body of the secessionists were reported to be concentrated, arming.  They found the birds had flown.

The rebels were impressing every able bodied man into service, and citizens were fleeing to the forest to avoid impressments.  A strong Union sentiment prevails in that region.

A regiment composed of loyal Tennessee men exclusively, was offered to Gen. Grant.

A resident of Paducah has just returned from New Orleans, which place he left a week ago last Tuesday.  His loyalty being undoubted he was passed to Jackson by the rebel authorities, when he escaped to the Federal lines and reached his home in safety.  He reports that the rebels are constructing at New Orleans thirteen large iron clad gun-boats, one of which is intended for sea service and the rest for river.  The largest is built by Murray and armed with 30 guns.  The projector is confident that with it alone he will be able to drive the Lincoln fleet from the Mississippi.  They are finished by this time and are probably now on their way to Island No. 10.  They are encased with railroad iron and considered invulnerable.

Armed troops are concentrating at Corinth, Miss., where a stand is to be made.

Our re-inforcements are being sent to Decatur.

At Memphis my informant states rebel stores are being removed to a place of safety in event of an attack by Union forces.

But little was known of movements at Island No. 10 outside of military circles.

The superintendent of the Mobil and Ohio Railroad had placed thirteen locomotives and two hundred cars at the disposition of General Polk for the transportation of troops to Corinth.

Beauregard was at Jackson, Tennessee, on Tuesday week.

Gen. Polk’s headquarters were at Lagrange.  Our boys were in high spirits at the report of an advance.

The bridge across Turkey creek on the Ohio and Mobile Railroad, was burned by the Union forces.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 29, 1862, p. 4