On this episode of Battles & Banter, Avery is joined by his good friend and Civil War historian, Ryan Quint, to discuss the first combat action for Ulysses S. Grant during the American Civil War: The Battle of Belmont. One of the more overlooked and misunderstood actions of the war, Belmont served as the first taste of combat for General Grant against the Confederate forces along the western banks of the Mississippi River. Avery & Ryan discuss the actions at Belmont Landing and the significance of the fight in regards to the rest of the conflict. Most importantly, they talk about the importance of Belmont to Grant's military career and how it marked the beginning of his rise to fame and glory during the American Civil War. Enjoy!