John A. McClernand General Order

BRIGADE HEAD QUARTERS,

CAMP CAIRO, November 8, 1861.

GENERAL ORDER

NO. 15

The General commanding the first Brigade of Illinois Volunteers, takes pleasure in meeting to-day, those who conferred honor upon his command, by their gallantry and good conduct on yesterday. Few of you had before seen a battle. You were but imperfectly disciplined, and supplied with inferior arms. Yet you marched upon a concealed enemy, of superior numbers, on ground of their own choosing.

You drove them steadily before you for two miles of continued fighting, and forced them to seek shelter in their entrenchments at Belmont, beneath the heavy batteries at Columbus. You drove them from their position, and destroyed their camp - bringing with you, on retiring, two hundred prisoners, two field pieces and a large amount of other property.

Reinforced from Columbus, they formed in large numbers in your rear, to cut you off, while the heavy guns were playing upon your ranks. Fighting the same ground over again, you drove them a second time. A portion of the command becoming separated from the rest, made a successful and well ordered movement by another route, and returned to the river. After a day of fatiguing marches, fighting as you marched, having been nearly six hours actually engaged, you re-embarked, and returned to your camps.

On looking along your ranks to-day, the commanding General has cause to mourn the absence of many of his gallant men - the victims of inexorable war. Some laid down their lives on the battle field, offering their blood freely, and giving their last and most glorious moments to their country. Others bear honorable wounds, and suffer more than those who died, yet, it is hoped, to resume their duties and win new honors.

While mourning the dead, and offering sympathy to the suffering, the General commanding gratefully acknowledges his gratitude, and offers the thanks of a grateful country and State to the officers and soldiers of Illinois, under his command, for their gallantry and good conduct.

When again called upon, he hopes to find you equally prompt, and better prepared, for battle, and for victory.

By Order of

JOHN A. McCLERNAND,

Brigadier General Commanding.

M. BRAYMAN,

Assistant Adjutant General.

Genl. order no 15.

Camp Cairo

Novr. 8.

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