, 1862-07-28

lEIOU Tue n. l. 11uE8. N90.
Probably the few people who ever knew the
very large column of National troops in East
Tennessee-at Cumberland Gap. When, in
the early part Of this year, the rebels evacu-
ated Bowling Green, and the various dlsi5-
ions Of our troops in Kentucky followed them
eouthwa1d, this column wills left in south
eastern Kentucky, for the purpose Of captur-
ing the rebel stronghold at Cumberland
Gap-Which had been regarded as proba-
bly, the most formidable and yalua.
BILE strategic position in the Southland
afterTa5d penetrating int9 Fast Tennes-
work, with varied fortune, in the billy aud
desolate regions in Eastern Kentucky during
the whole Of the spring, and till we'll on in the
present summer. At the beginning of last
month it was still on the northern side Of the
18th Of June, Gen. Morgan, its commander,
and very able and galfant officer, obtained
possession Of the long coveted Cumberland
Gap, by one Of the most difficult and scicn-
tifc operations Of the war, but which, GU &C
count Of the more immediately important
news We we're at that time receiving from
Virginia, was almost entirely overlooked by
tie press. He, for time, SO maneugered
his troops that the enemy at the Gap could
get no clue whatever to his purposes
ard when, finally, having made a terrible
march Of a hundred miles, over mountains
heretofore considered impossible, he fell
upon their rear, they lied In confusion, and
| the Southern Thermopyla,, which q Thousand
men might have successfully defended, fell
| into his hands. It WINS universally sup
| posed by those who had followed up Gen.
MoEganfs movements, and understood the
military and political situation in that section
| of country, that he would at once push on to
Knoxville, the capture Of which would have
been equivalent to the possession Of nearly
the whole Of East Tennessee. The retention
l Ia fnv> @ef1 &@k 49,
els, as the means Of keeping US ont Of East
Tennessee; but the position once in our hands
It was Of value only as the gateway to further
conqacsts. Gen. Morgan, however, with his
whole force, still remains at Cumberland Gap
"a force which, though the rebels over
strong, is yet Of very considerable numbers,
and is amply able, with q little Of the assist
ance near at hand, to take military possession
| of all Of East Tennessee. he remains there
in obedience to orders.
We call attention to his situation ut present,
because, being forbidden to move from Cum:
placed In imminent danger by the maneuvres
Of hissnam esake, the guerrilla Morgan. All
the supplies Of our troops at the Gap are
drawn through EASTERN Kentucky upon
ox-teams, over a hundred miles Of hills,
aea On ro t. Soso sonneDt n cannot Sstsas
OF that region. Yesterday it was announced
By telegraph that the guerrilla chief: had
attacked one Of these supply trains, destroy,
ed the WagenF, and, VIC supposs, consumed
the yictuals. Ii is in his power with d small
force to cut off entirely the suppliee; and, as
he seems 70 be now retiring In a eoutherly di
; rect1on, there is nothing more likely thar
that this is really the work he has set out tt
do. We have had SO many military surprises
J Of late months that 1t is well to be warned
, wherever there is the least danger; and it, b,
Gen. Buel1's moving 3 force forward to ans
reducing Chattanooga, he were able to torm s
junction at or near Knoxville with Gen. Nor
gan, not only would the latter be put out Q
peril, but East Tennessee, 80 long neglected
| would be restored to the protection OF th
, ! stars and stripes. If there Is any one thin
the nation desires, next to the capture Of Rich
: mord, it is the liberation OF East Tennessee
: If there is any one thing which would inhic
| q severer blow than another upon tn
! almost broken fortunes Of the rebel
! in the Southwest, and In the tar South
and aid in stopping at once the Eavages g
guerr1llas, It Wut1'd be the occupation of th
0 points Indicated hottanooga and Knoxville
: TIE other and innumerable advantages OF OF
tsining East Tennessee are now every da
J. more apparent, IS each movement Of the ret
els, whether In the East or West, makes
more imperative. Gen. Morgan is now in
: position Of difficulty and danger; but prope
:. Is supported, he has the skin, the valor an
:. the men to push forward and capture Kno,
l. vile, rs soon as he is ordered.