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Battle at Columbus, Ky.

On, Thursday the 7th, Gens. Grant and McClernand, with the four regiments of Cols. John A. Logan, Dougherty, Fouke and Buford went down from Cairo to Belmont, Ky. just about Columbus, and attacked the rebels. A gallant and desperate fight occurred, in which our forces were repulsed. It seems that 3,500 federal troops were pitted against 7,000 or more rebels. The slaughter was terrible on both sides, and the federal troops gained no other advantage than a proof of their valor, two cannon and a few prisoners captured.

Col. Dougherty was wounded and taken prisoner, and one of Gen. McClernand's aids was killed. The report says:

Our troops landed at 8 o'clock A. M. The battle commenced at 11 and continued until sundown. Our boys drove the enemy from their entrenchments with great loss, burned their camp and stores, with all their baggage, took all their cannon, brought home their horses and mules, two field pieces and near 100 prisoners, but were finally forced to retire to our boats; the rebels having received a reinforcement from Columbus.

Gens. Grant and McClernand, and Cols. Dougherty, Logan, Fouke and Buford behaved with great gallantry, and were everywhere found in the thickest of the fight. Both the generals' horses were shot. Gen. McClernand had two horses killed and his saddle rigging and clothing were riddled with balls.

Col. Buford, in the battle was assigned the right, and the advance into the enemy's camp was bravely fought, inch by inch, Colonel Buford being the first to plant the stars and stripes in the camp of the rebels.