Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-08-16
From Cumberland Gap--Ths affair 6r
IA zevVsll.
Co. A. z oHIo REGIMENT.

Correspondence Of Cleveland Laader.l
Co. A. = oH1o REGIMENT.
Cumberland Gap, Aug. Z, 1869.
EDIToR LEADKR Saturday last the
18th and 42d Ohio, and 14th and 22d Ken
lucky Regiments, and the 1st Wisconsin
battery, under command of Col. De Courcy,
started out in the direction Of Clinch
River, on a five days foraging expedition.
The third day out, when within four miles
of the river, where q rebel force is en-
camped, the brigade, with the exception of
four companies Of the 42d and one piece Of
artillery, turned of towards Knoxville in
quest of forage. The detachment left was
ordered to check all advancing rebels till
dark so as to prevent them cutting off the
retreat of our forage trains. Soon the
picket-fring heralded the approach of a
regiment of infantry with some cavalry
for a vanguard; and the detachment Of the
42d, seeing the extreme necessity of hold
ing the place, prepared for stubborn re-
sistanee. The cavalry boldly approached,
but the we'll directed mimic balls sent
many horses back riderless, and they all
retreated to the infantry reserve. By this
time the artillery had begun hurting its
death-dealing shells at a force Of infantry
advancing by circuitous route, and they
too, were repulsed. Cannonading was
then briskly going on from both sides, and
continued till almost dark, when the enemy
ceased firing after which, in accordance
with instructions, we fell back to Taze-
well where the remainder Of our brigade
and heavily loaded forage train had ar
rived. The following morning squadron
Of Ashby's cavalry charged on the pickets
but were forced to retreat with loss Of
two killed and three wounded But the
fifth day proved to be the last and most
eventful one Of all. Detachments Of the
18th Ohio, and 14th Kentucky, formed the
advance, and occupied an important strate-
qic position on the South side Of the viii
laqe. About noon q terrific roar Of mus
kerry was heard, and 1t was soon discover
ed that q large force Of the enemy had
approached to within rife range by an
unfrequented path, and by a flank move
ment were driving our forces and sur
rounding one piece Of our artillery. But
the brave gunners instantly put in
double charge Of canister, and having
hurled it through the solid columns Of the
advancing foe, mounted their horses and
escaped with their piece, although the bull
lets fell around them like hail Our in
fantry force then began to retire slowly,
when the enemy made determined bayo-
net charge, which sent our inferior num-
bers flying down the hill In confusion.
Soon as the enemy advanced to the village
our artillery reserve opened fire on them,
and they retreated up the hill leaving
scores Of bloody dead and wounded behind
them. The artillery on both sides then be-
gan its work, and terrific cannonading
was continued till sunset, when the guns
Of the enemy were either dismounted or
Withdrawn, and the conflict ceased. learn
from semi-oficial sources that our loss will
not exceed seventy. OF these, perhaps o
dozen were killed, twice as many wounded,
and the rest prisoners. am confident the
rebels loss in killed and wounded is many
times that Of our own, but Captain and
Lieut.-CoL Of the 11th Tennessee are all the
prisoners ;aken by US. At dark our com.
mapding Colonel ordered retreat, which
wrs done W "a Q i'nastsfis naHneE," and