The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-12-06
Retreat Of the Cumberland Gap RI.
petition.

Iar from the scenes OF warfare, we nave Ne
yer ventured to criticise the movements Of
the Generals to whom are entrusted the
carrying on Of the widely extended opera
tions Of our army. We shall not do 90
now, although the failure of the expedition
for the relief Of the loyal people of East Ten
nessee, and its disastrous retreat, is ma
tional humi iation and sorrow. The Union
forces under General ScHoUPF, we're within
thirty miles of the Tennessee line. ZoLLI.
GOLFER had not only evacuated Cumberland
Gap, but had fallen back on Knoxville, with
all his infantry. cavalry and artillery, and
the road was open, when the singular spec
taco was presented of two armies running
from each other, each apparently only in
tent on getting out Of each others way.
The order for the retreat came from
Brigadier General THOMAS, and ran in
these words:
am informed by General Sherman that
General Sidney A. Johnston is advancing with
40, 600 men, and threatening Louisville, Lex.
ipgton and Cincinnati. Fall back with your
whole command on or near Danville, where
our forces will be concentrated.
How this order was received by the Ten
nesseeans in camp, may be learned from
correspondent of the New York Times:
When the order to proceed for march
came to tie Tennessee brigade, l was in
Gen. Carriers tent. Neither be nor any OF
Al 81 - e {o.- Il
Ourdirection was carefully concealed aslong
as possible, and Gen. Schoupf ordered our
sick to be left behind in hospitals. AS soon
as it was discovered that we were to retreat,
what howl went up! and nothing but
the promise that we would meet the enemy
by marching backwards, ever induced any
part of that column to craw6sh When
ANDY johnson and his colleagues learned
our direction, they we're dumfOnnded, and
quietly sat them down in utter despair. All
that they had prayed, begged and hoped
for, was thus in one moment lOst--nOt to be
regained but at the sacrifice o. life and pro-
perty. The Offcers--themselves deceived
pledged their words that the enemy was
to be met and battle to be fought; 80 on
they struggled to where the road forked,
and then, abandoning all hope tie Tennes-
seeans began to fall out of line; at first SOL
itary soldier would sulenly step to the woods,
then they went by twos and threes Pres
emily whole platoons and companies refus-
ed to march. Some lay upon the ground
weeping like children, others scolded like
whipped school boys, many madIy cursed
as they broke from the lines, and few stood
with folded arms leaning upon their mus
kets, while the contending passions of
sailors fidelity and the love of home were
fighting for the mastery in their breasts.
Their officers rode among that dsorganized
mass as they walowed through the shiny,
slippery mud, begging and praying them to
follow the Ohio troops. American soldiers
are not cattle, but thinking men they will
not follow Generals without a reasonable
certainty of the object being good ore.
Least OF all will they retreat from flying
foe. 1t was known to every privat 10 the
brigade that Z)lcoffer was running like u
quarter horse. and full fifty miles distant.
The correspondent of the Cincinnati
Commercial, who was with the expedition,
says:
Previously there had been rumors of an
advance, and when the order to prepare to
move was issued to the troops. it was re-
ceived with exultation. The Tennesseeans
were especially delighted, and prepared with
alacrlty to return to their hresides. 1t had
been currently reported that letters had
been received by prominent Tennesseeans
from friends at Louisville and Washington,
assuring them that the Cumberland Gap
expedition would soon be pushed to an is-
sue. This order, therefore, confirmed the
report, and | am told that the Hon. Andy
Johnson, Gen. Garter, and Col. Spears,
and others, were elated at the prospect
OF an immediate irution OF their hopes.
They did not seem TO comprehend that the
order concerning the sick implied a retro
grade movement. But when informed of
the fac they were overwhelmed with sor-
row and Indignation. Mr.. Johnson turned
from his Informant, and entered his hotel
Without one Wort, il utter despair.
The information was withheld from the
troops until they were moving, when the
fact flashed upon theh. aud they denounced
it with the vebemence OF disappointed sol
diers. Many OF the Tennessee ms displayed
q strong mutinOus spirit. Some swOre they
would not recede loot OF the ground which
had been conquered; Others expressed de
termination to desert and return to Ten
nessee at a Ii hazards; and many went with
veXation and despair. Their officers appeal
ed earnestly TO their patriotism, announcing
to them that General Thomas had order ed
them to countermarch 10 order to meet the
rebels, who were reported moving toward
Grab Orchard in strong force to cut them
oil, and that retrograde movement was
necessary to save the expedition. 1t was
also stated by officers of various regiments,
that Zolllcoffer was reported marching up
from Tennessee with a strong column, to
form junction with Buckner, to penetrate
tie Blue Grass country. Such were the
facts and statements prior to the hour of
marching
The physical suffering caused by this re-
treat can never be computed, but an idea of
its extent may be formed from the following
At the time we set out, the sick list could
not have been short of 600. The worst
loftt ,ani on nffo 70