Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-11-14

Journal of this morning has letter from
Crab Orchard, announcing that General
Schoepf had issued marching orders to his
men, and that their route was to be from
Mount Vernon Uia Somerset towards the
parts lately invaded be the rebels in Cum
berland and Clinton counties. You will re-
member that in former letter stated that
this DETECTION to the right of Zollicoffer
would certainly be made. The threatening
of Buckner by these several forces will de
feat him without battle.
THE CUMBEIkLAND GAP EXPE-
DITION.
Especial Correspondence of the Cincinnati CONNER
Commercial HaIl-Fortitying London-C Camp
Dick-Lacky Accident-Out Of ISupplies-
The Troops Making Corn Neal.
CoMMERcIAL HILL, AT LONDON. KY, I
October Both, p. NJ, 1861. I
Our location is about five degrees north
of latitude thirty which is farther
south than any other wing of the Union ar
my has yet penetrated. [ am very much
afraid it is as far South as the Government,
or at least the General Commanding this De-
partment, will permit US to venture. / am
surprised, indeed, that Gen. Thomas ever
consented to permit our enterprising and en-
ergetic General Shoepf to venture as far as
the base Of Wild Cat Hills; not because
there was risk in so doing, but because it
would look too much like doing something
to promote the objects of the war.
Yesterday morning l notified you that our
column was moving TO Loudon, but the mes
senger was waiting for my letter, and l had
no time to write details. had been calling,
with the field officers of the 18th Ohio, upon
Col. Colman, of the SD Indiana. Just after
tat too on our way to quarters, we stopped
at Gen. Shoepfs comfortable camp fire. He
had just received an exciting message from
Col. Garrard, in command of the Sd Ken
lucky, at Loudon, notifying him that Zolli-
Golfer evidently meditated an attack upon
him. Large parties of rebel cavalry had
been seen six miles below Loudon, on two
roads. We had been informed previously
that Zollicoffer's army had halted and en-
camped at Barboursville-24 miles south
and it was likely he would make a demon
stration when he learned our strengthen
rather, our sCeakness. Gen. Shoepf, turning
to Col. Connell, of the 18th, said +" Colonel,
you have fine regiment, upon which | can
rely when can you march?" ss In fifteen
minutes without our train-in thirty with
it." was the reply "March without your
train, and fortify to might" !" said the General.
The long roll called to arms, and within
fifteen minutes the 18th, with Kenny's
battery, were ON the road. At daybreak
o'clock in the morning we were prepared to
resist any surprise attack Zollicoffer might
attempt. Our active lads had thrown up
entrenchments thousand feet long on the
crown of the highest ridge, within a radius
of eight or ten miles. Subsequently the
remainder of the brigade marched down,
and since then, large fatigue parties have
been engaged fortifying the salient points
of the position.
II ~.
which sent this little column to the front,
and the wisdom which halted it here is in
scrutable. Gen. Shoepf is a disciplinarian,
and does not publicly eriticise the orders of
his superiors, but his repugnance to his
present situation is as apparent as the want
of judgment which obliged him to march
his brigade to London.
In a previous letter intimated that Camp
Dick Robinson was at the bottom of the in
efficient administration of the Cumberland
Gap expedition. L am nor fully prepared
to demonstrate the truth of the assertion,
but think some little investigation by GEN.
eral Sherman will satisfy him that public
opinion in Kentucky, in this respect, is sus-
tanned by facts. Why establish large
camp at a cost of thousand dollars per
month, only fifteen miles from the terminus
of the Central Kentucky Railroad, when
Grab Orchard, at the terminus of the pike,
was obviously the key point, on that line of
action, and more convenient for headquar-
ters.
When the facts are fully developed, 1 sus-
pect it will appear that somebody had an
axe TO grind in securing the location of the
camp at clever Dick Robinson's beautiful
farm. / am aware that there was strategic
reason for establishing it at that point; but
one regiment would have sufficed for the
purposes that position might require. The
other line, Ufa Richmond, was obviously
better; and if this army winters in this vi
cinity, it viii no doubt be adopted. Now,
that we are operating on that line, it seems
to me that the display Of energy would ex-
pedite matters.
have not desired to disparage operations
in this line, but | am constrained to say
they have not merited appreciation. Col.
Garrard was saved at Wild Cat by lucky
accident, but Zollieoffer escaped through
want of Generalship on our side General
Shoepf was by no means responsible, be-
cause, strange TO say, he was net ordered
forward until it was too late fer him to mas
ter the situation, and he arrived on the field
only the night before the fight. The COM
manders in that action were Col. Connell of
the 18th Ohio, and Col Coburn of the 33d
Indiana The latter was in command in
the midst The fight. The consequences of
this lack of Generalship have become pain
fully apparent since we left Wild Cat. We
have learned from innumerable sources that
the rebel army retreated in great disorder.
Had this column been ordered to pursue, it
is altogether probable that Zollicoffer' army
would have been cut into pieces.
Notwithstanding our recent furry, We
may now be considered safe if we are
watchful We have positive inforna-
ton that the rebels have retreated to their
fortified position at Cumberland Ford. But
we are not permitted to advance beyond
London do not wish to disparage the
management of this department, but l am
constrained to say that / can form no ex-
cuse for the deficiencies in our commissairat.
Suffice it to say that his army viii be put
/ upon half rations tomorrow if subsistence
does not come tonight. Our foragers have
been securing the country to-day for old
corn, to make meal enough to last until
bread arrives The 18th Ohio divided its
last days rations to-day with the 3eth Ohio.
| What need of comment on thisy
Among other DEFICIENCIES of this column
none are more glaring than the fact that we
have not single squad Of cavalry There
! fore our scouting department is nii.
/ do not know what viii be done next.
There is talk of going into winter quarters
| here What lame and impotent conclusion
A. t1,o r,,aat (r crJ a r, Gov, axx,c3;t;fx