Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant · Chapter
General Fremont in Command—Movement Against Belmont—Battle of Belmont—A Narrow Escape—After the Battle explained
Grant describes the period of inactivity after the occupation of Paducah, his growing impatience to engage the enemy, and the orders from General Fremont to make demonstrations against Confederate forces.
What happens
Grant describes the period of inactivity after the occupation of Paducah, his growing impatience to engage the enemy, and the orders from General Fremont to make demonstrations against Confederate forces. He details the planning and execution of the attack on Belmont, the initial success of the Union troops, their subsequent demoralization after capturing the camp, and the narrow escape he and his men made back to their transports under enemy fire.
Themes in this chapter
The Horrors and Cost of War
Grant describes the chaos of battle, the demoralization of troops after victory, and the narrow escape from death or capture, highlighting the brutal reality of combat.
Leadership and Humility
Grant's personal leadership is evident as he rides alone to reconnoiter, takes responsibility for the guard's withdrawal, and calmly directs the retreat under fire.
Personal Integrity and Self-Reliance
Grant's decision to attack Belmont despite lacking explicit orders reflects his self-reliance and commitment to maintaining the confidence of his command.
Characters to notice
- Ulysses S. Grant
Commands the Union forces at Belmont, leads the attack, and narrowly escapes capture during the retreat.
- John C. Frémont
Department commander who orders Grant to make demonstrations and later takes the field in Missouri.
- Charles F. Smith
Ordered by Grant to move troops from Paducah against Columbus as a diversion.
- John A. McClernand
Implied as one of the higher officers who delivered eulogies upon the Union cause after capturing the camp.
- Andrew H. Foote
Flag-officer commanding the gunboats that convoyed the transports and provided support.
- David D. Porter
Not explicitly mentioned in this excerpt, but associated with naval operations on the Mississippi.
Key passages
“But when I announced that we had cut our way in and could cut our way out just as well, it seemed a new revelation to officers and soldiers.”
Grant's declaration that the same determination used to enter the enemy camp could be used to escape it inspired his men to rally and form ranks for the retreat.
Demonstrates Grant's ability to instill confidence and resolve in his troops during a crisis.
“My horse seemed to take in the situation. There was no path down the bank and everyone acquainted with the Mississippi River knows that its banks, in a natural state, do not vary at any great angle from the perpendicular. My horse put his fore feet over the bank without hesitation or urging, and with his hind feet well under him, slid”
Grant's horse instinctively slid down the steep Mississippi riverbank to reach the transport, allowing Grant to escape just as the enemy opened fire.
Highlights the narrowness of Grant's escape and the resourcefulness required in the chaos of war.
“The officers and men engaged at Belmont were then under fire for the first time. Veterans could not have behaved better than they did up to the moment of reaching the rebel camp. At this point they became demoralized from their victory and failed to reap its full reward.”
Grant notes that his inexperienced troops fought admirably until they captured the enemy camp, but then lost discipline by looting and celebrating, which allowed the Confederates to regroup and counterattack.
Illustrates the challenge of maintaining order and focus after a tactical success.
