Grant's First Expedition During The War At Columbus, Kentucky

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/31/2005

A 2pp. 8" x 11 1/2". letter written in ink by Sergeant Martin V. Miller [Fort Holt, KY, Nov 8th 1861], to his sister outlining the results of Grant's "attack" upon Columbus, Kentucky, reading, in part: "...having arrived safely from the expedition against the Rebel town of Columbus I have taken my seat to give you the particulars of the fiery valor & daring gallantry of the bloody "7th" of their "hair breath" scrapes by…the insolent foe…we left camp yesterday morning at daylight & started down the river. About 9 o'clock the cannon began to boom at Columbus which was kept up almost without intermission until late in the evening. We marched on until about 12 o'clock when we were within 8 or 9 miles of the scene of action…we concluded it was as safe a place as we would find & could hear the sweet unison of the booming cannon. We pitched tents & made ourselves as comfortable as possible & took it easy…we lay there until sundown & received orders to return to Fort Hold immediately. We…stuck our tents & started back arriving there about 3 o'clock this morning…there is a thousand & one reports of the battle of yesterday. One report says we were defeated & our men slaughtered by thousands. This is followed…by another which says we drove them from the town…there is no doubt, but the Rebels still have possession of Columbus…". As a newly appointed general, this was Ulysses S. Grant's very first foray against the Confederates during the Civil War. On November 7, he loaded two converted gunboats with troops landing them opposite Polk's Confederate forces at Columbus near Belmont, Missouri. A minor battle soon developed with both sides losing an equal number of men, but Polk committed some 200 more men then Grant did. Tactically, the battle was considered a draw. Minor spotting, else very good.

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$Grant\'s First Expedition During The War At Columbus, Kentucky$