Arkansas true Democrat., 1861-12-05
Federal Reports From South Eeastern Kentucky-A Disastrous Defeat-Suf- ferings of the Federal Troops.
From the Correspondenee of the Gin. Commercial


 There is current rumor in camp that the appeals of prominent Tennesseans for an immediate movement into East Ten nessee is about to be granted by the war department Hon. Andy Johnson and Hon. Horace Maynard have been urging this movement vehemently, as essential to the salvation of the union men of East Tennessee. Readers are supposed to be familiar with their arguments. Twill not, therefore, recapitulate. But the rumor of movements caused much enthusiasm with Tennesseans, whose anxiety do return to their homes is intense This desire Is par amount. Every other feeling is merged in it.
 place no confidence in the report, be- cause we cannot move. Ihls column IS not strong enough to invade Tennessee. To be sure there is no enemy at the Gap, excepting small garrison, and If we should move forward it is not likely there would be much fighting at that point. Our latest information from the Gap,-belieyed by the general to be perfectly reliable,-is that the rebels have obstructed the Gap with large masses of rocks and fallen timber, to an extent which makes 1t impossible, either by us or by themselves. Advices are also received that they have obstructed Big Creek Gap, below Williamsburg in a similar manner, and that the main portion of Zollicoffer's forces have moved to some other point not known.
 A CHANGE OF DESTINATION.
 An order has just been issued ordering every regiment in this brigade to move at 8 o'clock this evening. The object of it is not generally understood. Those to whom it has been explained are surprised and chagrined. The column Is ordered to move back as rapidly as possible to Grab Orchard and to transport all the sick who can be removed The order was predicated upon an order from Gen. Thomas, who forward ed it by express relays from Grab Orchard. It is reported that heavy column divested from Buckner's command, Is running rap idly forward upon Somerset, to cut us off. Thus you percieve that big scare is at the bottom of the retrogade operation. It is not necessary to speculate on the subject. 1 suspect, however, that this Is but bril- liant cover for the ridiculous termination of the great Cumberland Gap expedition. It may have been devised, also, as decent apology for recalling the Tennessee regi- mentS.
 AFTER THE MARCH.
 CRAB ORCHARD, November 1o.-After a march of almost unparalleled severity, considering there was no apparent necessity for it, part of the Wildcat brigade arrived this evening at "a point within two miles of Crab Orchard, and went into camp. Many of our poor fellows are still struggling along the road, painfully striving to reach harbor of rest. Ihis msrch Was d& dis astrous aS battle ond defeot. 1 have no time now, even if were not severely fla tgued, to depict the wretched picture. l will do 1t hereafter.
 The 14th, 17th, and 38th Ohio will en- camp here The Tennesseans and 3d Ken lucky regiment were ordered back to.Lon- don after tho advance of the former had reached a point three miles beyond Mount Vernon. Many of the Iennesseans went back before orders were issued to that ef feet, proclaiming their intentions to return home Our march has temporarily disa- bled the entire brigade, and large numbers will be in hospital in day or two. So ends the "great Cumberland Gap expedi- tion."
 Last night the 38th Ohio encamped five miles south of London. During the n ght Q decayed tree was blown down in camp, and several men were dangerously wound ed-one said to be fatally hurt. w. D. E..
 The same correspondent gives a lengthy statement of the incidents of the march, We extract the following from the diary of the writer
 LONDON, KY, November 23-Long be- fore o'clock, P. M., most of the troops Of the Wildcat brigade, with three days ra- tions in their haversacks, were prepared to march, The sick who could be removed and there were many too feeble to walk, yet able to ride-were transferred to those wretched instruments of torture to the Ill or the llealthy-twowh wheeled ambulances- and to common army wagons, some of which were uncovered, thus exposing men to the raw night air. But many poor bed ridden fellows who were necessarily left, remained confined to the hospitals, prey to narrowing apprehensions of captivity. Of course surgeons and guards were detall- ed to minister to their wants and protect them until they should be removed. But how many men were closely packed in am balances and wagons, 1 could not learn. Col. Steedman would not leave any, and he had over 100 stored away as comforta' bic as possible. The surgeon of the 33d Indiana, mortified at the order, protested vehemently, but he was informed decisive ly, the order from headquarters is that all the sick must be removed, and orders must be obeyed.
 He still protested that removal would result in the death of some of his patients, and he was told to quarter them with pri- vate families at London. But the 33d h. diana brought away one hundred and eighty-nne sick. l did not inquire how many were removed by other regiments, but the number was large. Besides, many feeble fellows just discharged from the hos pitfalls, but unfit for duty, shouldered their muskets and donned their heavy knapsacks, preferring the cruelties of forced march to the hazards of captivity.
 The 14th Ohio had the right of the col umn. Shortly before eight o'clock 1t marched solemnly by the camp of the l7th