The New York herald., 1862-04-07
NEWS FROM THE CUMBERLAND MOUNTAIN.

NEWS FROM THE CUMBERLAND MOUNTAIN.
The March or the Expedition-Details OF
the March-Engagement at Big Creek
Gap - Jacksonboro - Fincastle - SAT-.
petre-RecOnnOfssan nce-The Fight at
Cumberland Gap, sc.
From the indianapolis Journal
CUMBERLAND FoRp, March "a, 1892
On the 10th inst. small force, under Col Carter
started from camp on trip to Big Crock Gap, Col Car
ter commanding and Lieutenant Colonel Keigwin second
in command. The detachment carried five days pro.
visions and went without tents or transportation Az
daybreak, 14h nst after marching the mountain
during the night, the command attacked three hundred
rebels resulting in foot race primarily eS pdre secesh
killing three wounding six and capturing all their tents
and camp equpage fifty nine horses, six mules, six
wagons and two hundred pairs of Shoes together with
Lieutenant Colonel White Of the First Tennessee rebel
cavalry; Captain Winston, Of Sappers and Miners;
Lieutenant Hoye Adutant First Tennessee cavalry, and
fifteen privates
Among the trophies were one hundred shot guns,
hundred sabres, three flags and large quantity Of COM
missary stores.
The command then went to Jacksonboro, the county
seat Of Campbell county Tennessee where two hundred
rebel cavalry stationed and found that the rebels
were like their ilustrious Tennessee Pillow fleet OF foot,
as all ran save one-ked. At this place were taken
tents for two companies and six hundred pounds OF pow
der, all Of which destroyed there no trans
poraon 70 tske the articles away Jacksonboro only
thrtyseven miles from Knoxville, and enlivsned by
raising the Stars and drpes The secesh postmaster and
county clerk gave their parole agreeing their
ofces and bear true faith and allegiance to the United
States.
The next point Of attraction Fincastle, where
two hundred more rebel cavalry were stationed
Tho acted on the .s maxim MS that lights
pounds Of flour, company books, &c, which were
duly appropriated to Uncle Sans boys. Our seventy
but were unable to overtake them However, we
ceeded in destroying all their camp equipage salt.
petre establishment next visited, and eight hundred
pounds of that article and the entire fixtures went the
way Of all SHINING secesh.
Along the entire route troops hailed with de-
light and great enthusiasm Old mon cried with JOY
tho approach Of the army and every possible attention
paid BY the people to this the vanguard of their de-
lverers. II burning shame that this government
has long delayed its action IN behalf OF these o
pressed East Tsnnesseans. There should be, to-day
prompt and energetic measures adopted to cleanse this
entire section from the baetng curse Of secession Our
night s' on the ground snS xo 'ssas
to satisfy the elmer man. The only injury to force
was wounded by the enemy and two accidentally
Of knoxville that every boat and canoe at tho various
ferries was destroyed to p'event the advance Of the
| command
Neanwhie portion Of the force went on roconnos-
TO the Gap This place s held by force Of 600
men, strongly fortified and defended with sixteen guns.
| There are two 24pounders, a FOUNDER and the
rest IL and 6pounder guns, all well posted to
| mand the various approaches to the north side
| Of the Gap. We went within one mile OF their
| crowded the fortidca.ions and though every
OPP ortunity was offered, they would not fire or make
p NJ except very small force, bivouacked for the night
three miles from the Cap watch fires in full view.
l Inc next MOI ulnR WO clsuTely returned 10 camp.
| ENGAGEMENT AT CUMBERLAND GAP.
Friday last, having failed TO draw the enemys 1re on
two occasions part Of the brigade started TO the Gap
which reached in the evening, reconnoered till dark
drove in their pckets, and bivouacked the mountain
spur in rain and snow. In tho morning party OF our
| skirmishers began work and after a time drove the
rebels about half mile from their first position The
| Ohioans, being armed with long range rifles,
were very effective. A volunteer party. sue.
secesh, while some ten or fifteen others shared
| the same fate at the hands Of the skirmshers The
rebel guns opened the skirmishers with grape and
ca ister and shell, but hurt although several
| narrowly escaped Col Byrd was struck by a spent
| grape shot and stunned Our regiment was ordered 10
aid in placing Capt. wetmorc's guns in position and
support the artillery The guns were stationed top
ridge, in full open view, without protection Of any
kind, except that best sateguard-brave, determined
men.
About half past O'Clock A. NJ the rebels had taste
Of Uncle SANS Union restoratves by Can't
five O'Clock p. NJ balls and shells flew thick and fast
The rebels fred near four hundred and hurt nobody
| the ordnance department Of the c. s. A. Our guns
| wer6 most admirably handled, and doubt
| did considerable injury. We are unable to tell
they reported sixteen killed at noon, and If that was
true they must have lost one hundred more for the
work only sport up to that time Several times the
she'll from guns caused the rebels "skcdaddc
| and one battery was entirely silenced
About four O'Clock p NJ. ordered TO skirmish
the main road, leading TO the Gap, and while doing
fred from i've guns, four round shot falling
short few yards, throwing dirt briskly and shell
/ falling like hail among tho men. Provdentally not q
| man hurt.
when they began TO FIRE on us our blood grew warm
for tho FIRST time during the day but it gave place
to mingled emotions OF pity and contempt-pity for
| men who would suffer themselves to be deluded into
| the snares Il rebellion and contempt for the
cowardly spirit manifested. This was the first
| tins we had been under fire, and lndanian
would have bushcd had every Hoosier eye been look
on We quietly returned to the spur OF thc and
laid down. with Mother Earth for bed, the clouds for
covering, and soundy slept conscious that rebedom
| had near us to "molcst or make us afraid"
| On Sunday morning started to camp, and today
for the FIRST time In sx weeks the rebel scouts have
tured beyond two miles from their stronghold VIC will
bag yet and trust the day Of deverauce for East
| Tennessee is not far OF.
| CONDITION OF THE LoyALIsTs AND REBELS.
| Since wo came here about 5000 Tennessceans have
privsd Of his American brthright freedom by secesh
| tyranny. The people OF Indiana can scarcely con.
| ceive tho sad trials these true patriots have on
dured. But tho day OF loyal law abiding vengeance
| Is at hand. The strong hand Of power, always
| feared by bad men is upon the leaders and soon
the oppressed rcemen Of the South will enjoy the bless
ings OF constitutional rule There is no uniformity
dress with the rebel lders black blue, brown
and graylsuits incrmingle and every style Of arm from
Mint rifles TO flint lock muskcts. No rebel volunteer
have would pass muster when compared with tho
inmates OF our prisons either for intelligence or honest
countenances. Many good have been compelled TO
enter their ranks infer Imprisonment DEATH Three
have deserted from the Gap, who report there
tire companies TO consist of pressed One company
now the Gap reported to have only three rebels in
its ranks But stl the proper way Ia " treat them all
as brave men, determined enomics, aud IL they prove
friends disguise will have less labor overpower
thom IL very unpleasant however to reflect that we
may be compelled to Kill some good Union mou who are
now, by force, in the robel ranks
Cotton and the Railroad Bridges in Ten
nesscc.
A Nashville letter in the Chicago Times says-Many
Union people in Nashville, early in the history the