GENERAL POLK AND THE BATTLE OF BELMONT.

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642 in killed, wounded, and missing. That of the Federals, owing to thedifferences in their figures, is more difficult to determine; hut, accepting thereports of the brigade and regimental commanders as correct, it must heplaced at about six hundred [see page 355], It is, however, not easy toplace entire confidence in these figures. One thing is certain: the Federaldead and nearly all their wounded were left upon the field. General Pillowreports that he buried 295 of them, and that, under a flag of truce, theFederals were similarly engaged “ a good part of the day.” General Grantstates that he carried 175 prisoners from the field, and General Polk, thatafter a liberal exchange, by which he recovered all of his own men, he hadstill 100 prisoners in his hands. The substantial fruits of victory were, there-fore, with the Confederates, and their Congress, in acknowledgment of thefact, passed resolutions commending Polk, his commanders, and the troopsfor the service rendered.

The chief objects of General Grant’s attack, as stated by himself, hadbeen, first to assist a movement against General Thompson’s command, andsecond, to break up the camp at Belmont. He failed in both, for the campwas continued, and the disaster to his command caused him to recall thetroops sent after Thompson. He carried off two cannon and a numberof the sick and wounded Confederates found in their camp; but he fledthe field, virtually abandoning one of his regiments, leaving his deadand wounded, a large preponderance of prisoners, a stand of his colors,one thousand stand of arms, and the caissons of his battery in thehands of the Confederates. His fight had, however, been a gallant one,and, at one time, the entire Confederate line was swept before his onset.

THE GUN-BOATS “TYLER” AND “LEXINGTON” FIGHTING THE COLUMBUS BATTERIES DURING THEBATTLE OF BELMONT. FROM A DRAWING BY REAR-ADMIRAL WALKE.

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