Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-11-30
ImPonrANr fRou KRrrUckv.
General schoef6RaI Back On DanvIlls
rae EvacuatIOn OF Cumberland Gap
by ZoIlfcOKeer COnEIrmed.

--The EvacuatIOn OF Cumberland Gap
by ZoiRzcoKKer C0nflrmeds
Correspondence Of the Cincinnati Gazette
Car ORcHARD SPRINGS, Nov. l6.--on Wednesday
afternoon, as Your o wn /" was quietly discussing
the mastery inactivity Of the Kentucky cam
paign, and wondering whether there ever would
be advance TO the Ford, he was startled by an
order to prepare for . forced march. In the
twinkliDg Of An eye the Fourteenth Ohio had their
tents h&tupon the ground, Little doubling that the
advance WAS st last to be made. Everything was
hurly -burly. Aidsde camps and orderlies dashed
about with reeklessness quite out Of keeping with
the quiet and decorous character maintained By
the camp during the previous fortnight But alas,
instead Of facing the Ford, we turned our backs
upon Tennessee and commenced retreat.
By subsequent discoveries, we learned that Brigs-
der General Thomas ordered General Shoepf 70
1 fell back with his entire command upon Danville,
where the Federal troops were ordered TO concern
trate and oppose the rebels who were reported 20
be advancing to the number of 40 600, under A. Sid
Ley Johnston, and msnscing Louisville, Lexington
and Cincinnati Now it seemed to the plain, mat
ter~of-fact comprehension Of your correspondent,
that either Johnston had taken a pretty big con.
tract OF else that the information Of his designs
was exceedingly vsgue and indefinite. The intensi-
| ty Of disappointment was increased by the ddings
/ of Captain Myers, who had arrived that very day
\ from the mountains, and reported that the main
body Of the rebel forces hse evacuated their works
at the Gap, and that not more than one and e half
cupied them. He also confirmed the previous re-
port that Zolhco6sr. on the preceding Thursday,
had been seen at peterborough. about six miles
from Big Creek Gap with 5000 infantry, l,20o
cavalry, and several pieces of artillery, giving out
that he was falling back on Knoxville.
This news had elated the Tennesseans, especially
those who thought they saw al open door, through
which to go home. A large majority left the ranks
during the first few miles Of the march, and il was
finally deemed expedient to order the Tennessee
/ aod orryra N
The roads were in a horrible condition, and the
poor fellows wanowed rather than marched. The
column which had started in admirable order soon
strageled out until it became miles in length About
| 3 o'clock on Thursday morning the command halted
nesr Wild Cat and rested until after day light, when
furious rain storm set in, drenching every man
and completing the horrors of the march. When
| the tramp began many Of the soldiers were sick.
One hundred and seventy wss The list of the 18th
Regiment Some of the regiments left the inYalids
at the hospitals, but Col. Steadman brought every
man through. A little after MONDAY the right was
halted at Mount Vernon, the stregglers continuing
i to come in all night.
At daylight we were again started, and arrived
at Crab Orchard during the afternoon Whether
the original intention of falling back upon Danvie
will be censunmated yet remains to be seen; and
also whether tue information was true upoa which
this conduct was predicsted But one thing is GER
tain the campaign in Kentucky has been conduct
ed without any apparent system. The original
proposition of Gen. Mitchell was based upon the
fact that there were but three ways by which the
! rebels could enter Kentucky, and but three lines
! upon which they could operate with any success.
The Prestonburg line he proposed to block up by
the erection Of fort sufficiently powerful to resisi
everything but siege train, to transport which
over the mountain roads would be impossible
This avenue being blocked up, he proposed to seize
the ford and gap, and erect such works asl would
enable two or three regiments to hold them.
Thus, having blocked up two Of the passes with
but few troops, he would have had his main body
to operate the Nashville line. This plan, which
We have briefly sketched, would at least have the
merit of fixed purpose and design. Whenever
anything like continuity of purpose has been ex
hibited by our commanders, Immediately some LITTLE
diversion like golden apples has attracted their at
tention from the main issue. twas perfectly vel
understood in the Tennessee camp, from the begin
ming, that the Nelson victory was cansrd Of hug,
proportions. Everybody knew that the rebels wert
not there in any force.
/ The threatened attack on Somerset was another
apple rolled out to amuse our Generals and !
would not be astonishing if this last report Of John
ston's advance another of the same sort. EYery
4 once in 3 while we are frightened out of our boot
by the rumor that Buckner, Johnston or some Other
terrible fellow, is about take us BY the neck ana
shake us to pieces.
As there is now change in the ruling dynasty
We may expect a change Of policy. Gen. Mitchell
having Withdrawn his resignation at the reques
and BY the desire Of the powers at Washington la
reported to Gen. Buell., and is now awaiting orders
which it is to be hoped WILSON come n. W.