Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1862-08-20
Gbt Gllar for the alniOn.
How Gen. Morgan Gained Possession Of Gun
berland Gap.

How Gen, morgan Galned POSSESSION cL OuAl-
berland Gap.
TnE following is an extract from private
letter Of a National officer serving with the
Union forces st Cumberland Gap in East Ten
nessee. Il gives an idea OF Gen. Morgan's
mode Of operation in Cumberland Gap. which
heretofore has been but lily understood:
CUMBERLAND Gar, Tuesday, July !, 1862.
Mr DEAR O.: You have doubtless heard
that the Union troops are now in possession
OF Cumberland Gap. the strongest position in
America, and that it was captured by Gen.
Morgan without the loss Of a single man: To
accomplish this difficult deed, the National
column-estimated by the rebels at twenty
thousand strong though l. Of course, can give
YOU no estimate whatever-made circuitous
march of ninety FIVE miles, over, around about,
and through these tremendous and everlast-
ing mountain ranges, instead of a direct march
Of fourteen miles from the position We had
previously held north Of the mountains at
Cumberland Ford; that is, instead of attack
ing the enemy's stronghold in 'front.' we turn
ed bis position from unexpected points, and
he was compelled to evacuate the most form
liable fortress on this continent, which he did
without firing a gun. Six weeks before ad-
vancing across the mountains, Gen. Morgan
gave ont, in a way by which it was sure to
reach the rebels that early in June he would
receive reinforcement Of Glteen thousand
men, when he would instantly force his way
through Big Creek Gap some thirty miles
southwest of Cumberland Gap, and take the
latter stronghold in the rear, while the enemy
would also be attacked in front by an addi-
tional force Of ten thousand men. Perhaps
the rebels might lot credit the whole of this
programme; but our adroit leader began to
carry out parts Of it, so that they finally be-
came to believe it all.
Gen. Morgan commenced threatening Big
Creek Gap with a single brigade, so as to fix
the ene,ny's attention at that place and to
draw it from Rogers Gap, through which,
though considered absolutely impossible by
artillery or by large infantry force, Gen.
Morgan had determined to force his way across
the mountains into the Valley. Gen Kirby
Smith. who is in command Of the rebel troops
in Las. Tennessee, several times attempted to
surprise our small force at Big Creek Gap, but
we were always advised of lis approach by
our scouts, who would fly over the mountains
night and day. At length, by a rapid and
simultaneous movement, all our forces were
concentrated. and we advanced in two col
umns through both Rogers and Big Greek
Gap-apart from each other about twenty
miles. and which, as said before, had always
been considered impossible for artillery. The
euemy fell into the trap, and believing our
forces to he 10000 strong, gave way before
us, and afforded us an uninterrupted passage
through both gaps. We had now performed
tie great feat of crossing all the Pine end
Cumberland rangers of mountains and were
in position where we could at once attack
the enemy stronghold in the rear, or advance
by short and easy march into the heart of
East Tennessee.
Gen. Morgan at once threatened the rebels
at Knoxville, Cumberland Gap and Clinton.
The enemy was bewilldered, and divided his
forces to defend each of the menaced points,
while Gen. Morgan concentrated ours again
and on the 18th Of June, about l o'clock in
the morning, we started out from Rogers
Gap upon theroad which runs along the south
ern base of the Cumberland Mountains, and
by rapid march we reached Cumberland
Gap about daylight, only iour hours after the
enemy had evacuated, in despair Of resisting
US.
The result has completely demoralized the
enemy's forces in East Tennessee, and We be-
lieye that we could then, or now take, or
have taken possession of this whole section of
country. We all expected to move forward
at once, after capturing the Gap, to Knoxville,
to seize that ancient capitol of this State, and
to hold the East Tennessee and Virginia Rail
road, over which the rebels in Virginia obtain
the greater part of their supplies Of beef cat
tie, not to speak Of salt But we have been
here for the past fortnight with our whole
force, which, though not as strong as the enc
nv represents, is not at all contemplate in
numbers. How long we are to lie here, none
/ of us, ofcourse, know. Gen. Morgan, know
I is anxious to push forward; butt is said here
that his orders from Washington premPtorily
/ forbid him from making any movement what.
ever. Carter's brigade Is composed in great
part of East Tennessee exiles, and they arc
eager to get to their homes which the rebel'
are still ravishing; but though almost within
sight of-perhaps not the pearly gates ofheav'
en-but at least, the doorsills of their loved
homes-they are not permitted to enter IN.
I am astonished that this handsome and gal
liant strategical movement which we here con
sider one of the most important triumPhs 0
the year, should have been 50 completely IN