After moving in this way for a mile or a mile and a half, I halted where there was marshy ground covered with a heavy growth of timber in our front, and deployed a large part of my force as skirmishers.

By this time the enemy discovered that we were moving upon Belmont and sent out troops to meet us.

Soon after we had started in line, his skirmishers were encountered and fighting commenced.

This continued, growing fiercer and fiercer, for about four hours, the enemy being forced back gradually until he was driven into his camp.

Early in this engagement my horse was shot under me, but I got another from one of my staff and kept well up with the advance until the river was reached.
The officers and men engaged at Belmont were then under fire for the first time.