Head-Quarters, First Div.West.Dep't
Columbus, KY., Nov. 7, 1861.
To General Head-quarters, through General A. S. Johnson :
The enemy came down on the opposite side of the river, Belmont, to-day, about seven thousand five hundred strong, landed under cover of gunboats, and attacked Col. Tappan's camp. I sent over three regiments under Gen. Pillow to his relief, then at intervals three others, then Gen. Cheatham.
I then took over two others in person, to support a flank movement which I had directed. It was a hard-fought battle, lasting from half-past ten a. m. to five p. m. They took Beltzhoover's battery, four pieces of which were re-captured. The enemy were thoroughly routed. We pursued them to their boats seven miles, then drove their boats before us. The road was strewn with their dead and wonnded, guns, ammunition, and equipments. Our loss considerable; theirs heavy.
L. Polk,
Major-General Commanding.
