Columbus-Belmont

In 1861, the Mississippi River provided a potential avenue of invasion for the Union army into the seceded Southern states. In Sept., to preempt such a move, Confederate Gen. Leonidas Polk occupied and fortified the river bluffs at Columbus and closely monitored river traffic. Kentucky’s official neutrality ended with the move.

<h5>Reverse</h5>On Nov. 6, 1861, Union Gen. U.S. Grant moved on Columbus from Cairo, Ill., using steamboats. As Polk’s defenses at Columbus were strong, Grant attacked Camp Johnston, a Confederate outpost at Belmont, Mo. On Nov. 7, Union troops initially routed the Confederates, but after Southern reinforcements crossed the Mississippi River from Columbus, the Federals returned to Cairo.