Battle of Belmont*
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Mississippi County, Missouri
Near Columbus, Kentucky*
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Date: November 7, 1861*
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Battle Type: US Army Advance vs. Confederate Militia Delay*
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Recommended to be played as the Federals.*
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Design: Matt Reeves*
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Scroll down to page 5 to skip the history and go directly to the gameplay notes.*
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_____Introduction*
Ulysses S. Grant's opening battle of the Civil War, though not a large victory, was hailed as one by the northern press. Acting in the capacity of what we would now term a raid, Grant's forces overran a Confederate encampment at Belmont, Missouri, then fell back to his riverine transports as the Confederates counterattacked.*
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_____US Forces*
You have at your command two small brigades of volunteer infantry, some cavalry, and a battery of artillery. The timberclad gunboats Tyler and Lexington will also make an appearance.*
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_____CS Forces*
The camp at Belmont consists of Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Arkansas infantry, artillery, and cavalry. The experience and morale of these units is low to simulate the element of surprise Grant had that morning. However, there are strong Confederate batteries across the river.*
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____The Battle*
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In a feint intended to keep rebel forces in the area from moving to reinforce their positions in Arkansas, Grant's boss, General Fremont, ordered him to attack rebel positions near Columbus, Kentucky.*
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At 8:30 a.m. on November 7, Grant's force disembarked at Hunter's Farm, 3 miles north of Belmont, out of range of the big rebel guns at Columbus. He marched his men south on the  road, clearing the obstructions of fallen timber that formed an abatis. A mile away from Belmont, Grant formed his battle line in a corn field.*
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Grant's attack drove in the Confederate skirmish line and for the remainder of the morning, both armies, consisting of green recruits, advanced and fell back repeatedly. By 2 p.m., the fighting became one-sided as Pillow's line began to collapse, withdrawing toward their encampment. The orderly retreat began to panic when four Federal field pieces opened up on the retreating soldiers. A volley from the 31st Illinois killed dozens of Confederates, and the Union soldiers attacked from three sides and surged into the camp. The Confederates abandoned their colors and their artillery, and ran toward the river, attempting to escape. Grant was constantly at the front, leading his men. His horse was shot from under him, but he mounted an aide's horse and continued to lead.*

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____Aftermath*
The Confederates viewed Belmont as a Southern victory, since Grant had staged an attack and been driven off. Union losses were 607 (120 dead, 383 wounded, and 104 captured or missing). Confederate casualties were slightly higher at 641 (105 killed, 419 wounded, 106 captured, and 11 missing). A noteworthy result of the battle was the combat and large unit command experience Grant gained. It also gave President Abraham Lincoln, who was desperate for his armies to attack the Confederates somewhere, a positive impression of Grant.*
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SCENARIO NOTES*
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!Do not take the Confederate objective flag behind your forces until after you've destroyed the rebel camp!*
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Form your battle line on the east side of the cornfield. Place your artillery in the field itself, then use your cavalry to locate the rebel skirmish line. Once your battle line is formed, use your cavalry to move southeast and engage the rebel cavalry near the town. It is imperative that you destroy all of the rebel units in the camp, including the tents themselves.*
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Destroy the camp by turn 12 and get your force heading back to the transport, because the Confederate batteries on the other side of the river at Columbus will open up on you. The timberclads will arrive to deal with those big guns, but you must hurry your men back to the transports.*
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nb - You don't need to destroy the CS batteries across the river, just use the timberclads to distract them while your infantry do their work. In fact, do not let them linger for long under those guns because they'll take serious damage. And be careful as you move them, because they'll run aground on the bank if you're not careful.*
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1. Destroy the CS camp and all units by turn 10.
2. Have your entire force on the road, en route back to the transports by turn 15.
3. Fight your way back to the transports.*
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Sources:*
Wikipedia - Battle of Belmont
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Belmont*
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