November 8, 1861
- Battle of Belmont, Mo., between the expedition under Grant and the rebels. The Union men retired before large rebel reinforcements from Columbus, Ky., their retreat being covered by the gun-boats. Great slaughter on both sides ; Union loss–killed 84, wounded 288, and missing and prisoners 235–total 607; rebel loss–killed 261, wounded 427, and prisoners 278–total 966.
- Rebels captured 120 Union troops at Little Santa Fe, Mo.
- Capture of the rebel commissioners Slidell and Mason on the British mail steamer “Trent” by the U. S. war sloop ” San Jacinto.”
- Com. DuPont, of the naval expedition, sent a force up Port Royal Harbor to examine the town of Beaufort; the place was found to be deserted.