This letter was written by an unidentified soldier from Birds Point, Missouri, and describes the 7 November 1861 Battle of Belmont. Several regiments left from Bird’s Point to participate in the battle, most of them Illinois regiments, but the author does not give the name of his regiment. The signature page of the letter seems to be missing.

Though the content clearly describes the Battle of Belmont, it isn’t clear that the author actually participated in the battle himself though I suspect his regiment did. It may be that he was on detached duty or was unfit for service at the time of the battle.

The author datelined his letter from Camp Lyon and there were several Illinois regiments encamped there at the time.

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

Camp Lyon
Bird’s Point, Missouri
November 8, [1861]

My father,

I will pen a few lines this eve as we have considerable to think out, plenty to do. We have to think of yesterday’s bloodshed. Oh how can you or I feel to see or think of probably 3,000 men being shot to the ground in a few hours. It seems like we are all to be slain by poor management.

Yesterday morn about 8, a battle commenced between a part of six regiments of ours and six of their secesh 12 miles below. Our men cleared them out and walked into their walls, burnt their tents, destroyed their works and out men had gained the victory and throwed down their arms and gone to pilfering when the secesh had reinforcements come ten thousand strong and cleaned out our men completely. Had them completely surrounded before they knew it. They then had to fight their way out by a heavy loss. They came back apart. The most of the officers were killed and probably half of the privates. All that was wounded in the first battle was slain in the 2nd.

We at the same time had 10 thousand troops within 8 miles but they had orders to remain there until the this morn when they were to attack Columbus, Kentucky. The attack was to of been made at both places at one time. Somehow through mistake, it wasn’t. If both had been done at one time, we would got both sides of the river in our command. But while our men was fighting them on this side all the forenoon, the secesh at Columbus went down the river by land & got on boats and come up unbeknown to our troops and was all round them before they knew a thing or mistrusted. They supposed our troops on that side were fighting them at Columbus which they should of done. If both attacks had been made at once, it would been all right, but to let one set of men gain [page missing?]

I sent 20 to Seldon a few days ago and have 30 and upwards now and if I had a chance I would send it but I can’t get to Cairo now before we leave. I will leave my money with someone and if I should not get around all right, it will be taken care of. No more.

Breast pin to Jane.