George B. McClellan, November 14, 1861
No. 99. ! Washington, November 14, 1861.
The Major-General Commanding announces to the Army with sincere pleasure, 1st, the brilliant reduction of the forts in Port Royal harbor, by the officers and sailors of our gallant fleet, under command of FlagOfficer S. F. DuPont, the utter rout of the enemy, the capture of the town of Beaufort, and the landing of Brig. Gen. T. W. Sherman’s army on the coast of South Carolina; 2d, the victory achieved by Brig. Gen. William Nelson at Pikeville, Ky., in which, after two days’ hard fighting, the rebels were completely defeated and put to flight ; and, 3d, the daring attack made by Brig. Gen. U. S. Grant, with an inferior force, on the rebels at Belmont, Mo., and the signal defeat of the latter, with a loss of all their artillery, baggage, and means of transportation.
The Major-General Commanding cannot too highly extol the steadiness, courage, and admirable conduct displayed by officers, sailors, and soldiers alike in these several engagements. He commends them to the imitation of the whole Army.
By command of Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan:
No. 16.
Report of Brig. Gen. John O. Pemberton, O. S. Army.
HEADQUARTERS FOURTH MILITARY Dist. S. O.,