The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1862-10-19
Morgan's Evacuation Of Cumberland
Gan.

zap.
Military authorities agree upon the fact
that next to a brilliant victory ranks a
skillful retreat. Stonewall jackson, ac-
knowledged TO be the most effective
among the rebel generals has gained this
notoriety by the rapidity Of his move-
ments, the successful manner in which he
has exricated himself from dangerously
advanced positions, and, above all, by
those long and arduOus marches whereby
he managed to throw his troops upon I'M
defended places. The retreat of General
George w Morgan, who, with his brave
command, has so long held Cumberland
Gap, is one of those brilliant retreats,
hazardous, but completely successful
one of the movements of the campaign 10
have page in history by itself.
At the time Gen. Morgan captured the
I Gap the achievement was somewhat
overlooked by the public, other events
then attracting their attention. Militia
ry judges, however, gave to Gen Morgan
the need of prais&he deserved for cap
| ture which may Be termed NapoIeOnic.
General Morgan was surrounded by diff
oulties of a nature appalling to a less de-
/ termined or less skilful soldier His
cannons had TO be drawn TO rocky sum-
mits by extraordinary efforts. His men,
cheercd by the praises of their COM
mander, urged TO mighty efforts by his
constant encouragement, achieved such
victories over nature as did the armies
Of Napoleon and Hannibal when they
crossed the now-capped Alps. Having
seized the Gap, Gen. Morgan held il un-
til the present time, although for months
surrounded by rebel forces more than
ten times the number of his devoted
band. For months past we have heard
that General Morgan would have to sur
render as he could procure no supplies
for his troops. But as constantly have
we beard Of some brilliant sortie on his
part, the result Of which was the capture
Of prisoners and trains of provisions.
Az last, finding the position untenable,
Gen. Morgan has evacuated the Gap. But
he has done so only after having render
ed it impossible.
II is gratifying to hear that from the
moment he began the brilliant retreat
General Megan acted upon the offensive.
F, Although constantly surrounded by the
enemy, he continued his march, his men
at one time continuing steadily forward
for twenty four consecutive hours. Shoe
less, hatless and half-naked, General
MOrgan's brave troops day after day at
tackled The rebels with irresistible fury
and drove them away with inyariable
success. This harfassing work lasted
for sixteen days.
We are not surprised 10 hear Of Cen
eral Mogan's success. He is a thorough
soldier by education, by long ysars Of
arduOus aud gallant service, aud, lately,
by a period Of close application 10 mill
tary Improvements in Europe. During
residence Of several years in France, as
\ United States Consul at Marseilles and
IN Portugal, as United States Minister,
General Morgan. without neglecting the
duties Of his distinguished position, ca
gearly benefited by the experietce Of tho
most skilfnl Of European officers. He
visiied frequently the Camp a. Chalons,
in France, 10 witness the results of the
Emperor Napoleon's improvements in
military tactics, and carefully studied
them. He Is at present in the first rank
Of our officers. Now that he is free TO
act we shall hear great iidings from him.
| We shall expect 70 hear that, according
% the spirit Of General halleck's late
circular concerning promotion for gallant
services, General Nj. has been advanced
tothe higher rank he So richly deserves.
~ y Herald