Historical Marker

Columbus-Belmont

Historical marker location:

Columbus, Kentucky

( Columbus Belmont State Park, Columbus)

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.

Reverse

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.