The Confederacy’s victory at the First Battle of Bull Run made it clear that the Civil War would not be a short conflict. Union strategists sought ways to weaken the South, starting with securing the loyalty of border states. These states would deny the Confederacy essential manpower and industrial resources. Kentucky, with its divided leadership, became a crucial focus for both sides.
The Battle of Belmont: Conflicting Claims of Victory
The Battle of Belmont in Missouri was a significant early engagement following Bull Run. Both the Union and Confederacy sought control of strategically important Kentucky. Union troops under Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant moved to engage Confederate forces in the region.
Grant’s forces crossed the Mississippi River, landing near Belmont, Missouri. They attacked and captured a Confederate camp, subsequently burning it. However, a Confederate counterattack ensued while the Union troops were withdrawing. This led to a chaotic conclusion, with both sides later claiming victory. The Confederates asserted they repelled Grant’s forces, while Grant maintained he achieved his operational goals.
The Battle of Belmont: Timeline
Kentucky’s neutrality was short-lived. Confederate General Leonidas Polk invaded in September 1861 to preempt a potential Union move and secure resources. Clashes between the opposing forces began in late October. Confederates occupied Belmont, establishing a position across the Mississippi River from their stronghold at Columbus, Kentucky.
On November 6th, 1861, Grant’s forces left Cairo, Illinois, heading for Belmont. The next day, they landed and marched on the Confederate camp, successfully routing the defenders. Polk launched a counterattack, and Union forces retreated in the face of the larger Confederate force. After a six-hour battle, the Union troops returned to Cairo, covered by Union gunboats.
The Context Behind the Battle of Belmont
The border states of Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky, and Missouri held important strategic value during the early phases of the American Civil War. These states, though allowing slavery, had not seceded from the Union. While Delaware maintained Union sympathies and Maryland was quickly secured by Union forces, Kentucky and Missouri remained targets for potential control by both sides.
Kentucky, with a significant slaveholding population, was seen as a desirable asset for the Confederacy. The delicate balance of neutrality in the state shifted in September 1861 when Confederate forces moved to occupy key Kentucky cities. Confederate General Leonidas Polk’s decision to invade on September 3rd incited widespread disapproval and ultimately pushed the Kentucky legislature to officially align with the Union. A stark north-south divide emerged within the state, with Union General Ulysses S. Grant controlling the northern portion and Confederate General Albert Sidney Johnston holding the southern region.
Significance of the Battle of Belmont
Though the Battle of Belmont itself ended without a decisive victor, it carried broader implications for the unfolding conflict. The battle demonstrated continued Union willingness to pursue offensive actions, a shift in attitude following the demoralizing defeat at the First Battle of Bull Run. President Abraham Lincoln took notice of Grant’s initiative at Belmont, where the general exhibited personal courage by remaining on the battlefield until all Union soldiers had retreated.
Furthermore, the Battle of Belmont played a role in the development of Ulysses S. Grant’s leadership and confidence. This marked Grant’s first combat experience as a general officer, and while the battle revealed some tactical shortcomings, it also highlighted his aggressive approach and determination. Grant’s later reflections on the battle demonstrated his openness to acknowledging and learning from his mistakes – qualities that would prove essential in his future military leadership roles.
5 Facts About the Battle of Belmont
1. Casualties
The Battle of Belmont resulted in approximately 600 casualties on each side. This included just over 100 killed in action, 100 captured or missing, and 400 wounded. The distribution of casualties varied slightly, with Union forces experiencing more deaths and Confederates incurring more injuries.
2. Commanders
Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant led the Union forces in this engagement. Grant was a relatively inexperienced general, having worked at his father’s leather store prior to the Civil War. He was a West Point graduate and had prior military experience in the Mexican-American War. Grant’s leadership abilities became evident after his appointment by the Illinois governor to train volunteers for service at the war’s outset.
The Confederate forces were commanded by General Leonidas K. Polk, also a West Point graduate. Polk held the unique distinction of having become an Episcopal priest after his military service. His personal relationship with Confederate President Jefferson Davis secured him a military commission at the beginning of the war. After leaving the military to pursue religious work and subsequently founding a college in Tennessee, Polk faced some criticism for his perceived lack of military expertise.
3. Number of Forces Involved
On November 7, 1861, Ulysses S. Grant led approximately 3,000 Union troops to Belmont via riverboats from Cairo, Illinois. This force quickly overwhelmed the Confederate soldiers stationed at the Belmont camp. However, the Union troops soon faced 5,000 Confederate reinforcements sent by Leonidas Polk. While significant, the numbers involved in this battle were smaller compared to later Civil War battles, which frequently involved tens of thousands of troops on both sides.
4. Visiting Belmont, Missouri Today
The Belmont battlefield is now located within Columbus-Belmont State Park in Columbus, Kentucky. The park, situated across the Mississippi River from Missouri, offers visitors the opportunity to view Civil War artifacts. Among these are chains that the Confederacy used in an attempt to impede Union ship movement on the Mississippi River. The park also features a year-round campground. Additionally, visitors can learn about the Trail of Tears, a route of forced displacement for Native Americans, which passes through the area.
5. Trivia: Grant’s First (and Almost Last) Civil War Command
The Battle of Belmont marked Ulysses S. Grant’s debut as a general in the Civil War. During the battle, Polk reportedly instructed nearby Confederate troops to target a Union soldier on horseback – who turned out to be Grant, wearing a common soldier’s overcoat. Fortunately for Grant, no shots were fired at him. Later, as he departed the battlefield by steamship, Grant rose from a sofa to observe the scene; a Confederate musket ball subsequently tore through the spot where he had been seated moments before.
Aftermath of Belmont: Ulysses S. Grant’s Military Path
The Battle of Belmont resulted in no clear victor. The South viewed it favorably, while some in the North noted the Union losses. Despite this, President Lincoln noted Grant’s willingness to engage the enemy. This contrasted with the stalemate between Washington DC and Richmond in the Eastern Theater. Grant moved on to secure two important Confederate forts in Tennessee shortly after Belmont.
Following a costly victory at Shiloh in April 1862, Grant faced criticism for the high number of casualties. President Lincoln defended the general, stating, “I can’t spare this man, he fights.” Lincoln recognized Grant’s determination and work ethic, traits less common in other Union leadership. Grant continued to serve in the Western Theater before being appointed general-in-chief of the Union armies in early 1864.
