Reconnoissance in Force by General Grant toward Columbus, Ky.–General Grant’s Bodyguard Passing Over Mayfield Creek Bridge.
The scenery of the “Bottoms” is the most interesting in this part of Kentucky. During freshets they are from two to twelve feet under water. The soil is exceedingly rich and heavily timbered, and numberless creeks and bayous intersect the country in every direction. The few farms in this section of the State occupy the ridges, while the low ground is a primitive forest, unfit for cultivation on account of frequent overflows. The largest of the many streams which drain this swamp is Mayfield Creek.
(from Frank Leslie’s Illustrated History of the Civil War…, edited by Louis Shepheard Moat, Published by Mrs. Frank Leslie, New York, 1895)
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Report of Brig. Gen. U. S. Grant, U. S. Army.
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT SOUTHEAST MISSOURI,
Cairo, September 22, 1861.
GENERAL: Yesterday I directed a reconnaissance in force to discover the position of the enemy. The main part of the troops from Norfolk {p.200} and Fort Jefferson were landed below Island No. 1, and marched from there down the beach road, supported by the gunboats Tyler and Lexington. The result proved the Confederates to be in and around Columbus. No outposts are occupied by them nearer to us. Mayfield has been deserted by the rebels.
Colonel Waagner, chief of ordnance, left here this evening, in pursuance of orders telegraphed to him. His energy and ability have been of great service to me, particularly in directing reconnaissances, and his loss from this post will be felt.
To-day the advanced sentinels of one of our pickets fired into a scouting party of about 100 rebels, killing 1 horse and unhorsing 5 or 6 men. This took place about 1 mile from Elliott’s Mills, on the Columbus road.
The general health of this command is improving, but the number of sick is still very large.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
U. S. GRANT,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
Maj. Gen. J. C. FRÉMONT, Comdg. Western Dep’t, Saint Louis, Mo.