Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1862-08-20
From the 42d and the Battles near
Cumberland Gap.

We find III the Cincinnati Gazette II let
ter dated Tazew ell, Tennessee Aug. eth
which contains an account Of the two
days fighting near Cumberland Cap
The correspondent accompanied the 42d
Regiment in its march from the Gap TO
Tazewell, which Is the capital of Clai-
borne county and some Is or % miles
from the Gap.
Saturday, Aug. I'd, tho 42d encamped
near farewell. On Sunday the Sd, the
Ohio cavalry occupied the Court House,
the 18TH Ohio was in advance, next the
ed Kentucky, and the Add was held in
reserve. The hills South of the town
were occupied by rebel pickets, and skir-
mishing occurred during the night of Sun
day.
On Monday the 4th the42d advanced to-
wards the Gap. During the day the reb-
Ell skirmishers were driven in, and the
woods shelled, scattering the rebel cayal-
~. \ foraging party Of 42d came in at
night having been successful, and on the
next day cattle, sheep, hay and grain
were brought in.
Two "coutrabands" came in and report
ed General Rains, with a full brigade of
infantry, 800 cavalry, and W pieces Of
artillery. and they boast to the citizens
that they would have our artillery.
On Tuesday, the 5th, the pickets Of the
Odd Kentucky, guarding the road from
Knoxville TO Tazewell, were surprised by
rebel cavalry, wounding two, bat the cav
alry soon retired. On Wednesday. the
9th, the 22d Kentucky occupied the
Knoxville road, and company = Of the
Add, the East road, while the balance of
the I'D regiment formed a reserve. The
enemy was known to be in force in front.
A sudden attack from the enemy drove
our artillery and pickets. and appeared
in force on the hill overlooking TaZewell.
First, their right appeared and in three
minutes their entire column stood proud
" on the very apex of q fine green hill at
least five hundred feet above the front
streets of farewell. With their flag
imposing display. Pausing as though to
take breath for 3 minute or two. they
moved slowly for Il short time, and then
with O scream and with the noise Of a vic
torious army, they dashed down the hill
sides, increasing the length Of their col
umns as they move in the direction Of the
field where our cannon were slowly firing.
The rebels fred rapidly as they advanced.
They soon gained the road and began 10
ascend the hill toward the cornfeld where
our mon were trying to make G stand.
Our artillery, and all our infantry retir-
ed, the majority returning 10 q hill where
we had four pieces of artillery in reserve.
Tazewell was soon deserted by It's inhabi-
tants.
The rebels were now behind old barns
and fences on the plain al the foot of the
hill on which they first formed their line
of battle. They were evidently taking
breath for another onset. Thus far they
had gained nothing but Il few knapsacks,
but they had driven IN two regiments of
infantry and two pieces of artillery
Suddenly the scene changes. Six peices
of splendid ordnance speak so rapidly hat
YOU can scarcely believe that they are
throwing shell and case shot from riled
cannon. The enemy gazed but g moment .
and then came their turn 10 run; and
the tall uphill running they performed
for half an hour, under intensely hot sun
and a hotter fire OF artillery very mnch
amused our boys. who shouted and scream
ed till their noise almost drowned the
thunders of the Rodman's and Parrots
that were fastening the retreat of the
rebels.
AT 2 P. NJ. they reappeared in force on
the hill where they first formed. Soon
the shell we're kissing and screaming over
heads. Their shell fell in our rear
for @ short time. They did no damage,
One gun suddenly ceased firing, and our
officers reported a wheel carried away by
our accurate firing. And thus the battle
for the day ended.
This correspondent mentions no casu-
alties in the I'D.
The correspondent says III the end OF
his letter that he had been told that ma
nv of the missing had come in. This is
the matter referred to in the dispatch da-
ted Nashville, Aug. 18th, which gives the
account as contained in n dispatch from
Gen. Morgan at Cumberland Gap.
We suppose this is the whole matter
out of which the rebel canard was manu-
featured.