Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1862-07-03

CUMBERLAND Gar, June %, lS62
MEssRs. EsTlLL AT last the Stars and Stripes !
float over the Gap Shortly after had mailed
to you my last We were ordered to prepare to mach
at O'Clock the next morning The rebels were
reported TO have encamped in large numbers with
in about eight miles of our cncampmcnt, and VIC
expected to face them about day.break. The ar.
tllcry being in advance, VIC proceeded but slowly;
but fanay coming near the place, we inquired of
the citizens how far distant the enemy were en-
camped, and were told aGou. y miles. We here
haulted to rest for short rime, and again pro-
ceeded on our march, at the same time listening
for the well known music produced by the pckets'
muskets We advanced farer, and were not far
from the camp, when we received the intelligence
that the rebels had lef during the night. Short
ly we passed their camp, and saw their camp. fires
still smoking and even some Of their tents left
standing. 1t was about 0 o'clock and We were
hautcd to rest the balance of the day was
put on picket duty, and had been posted about 10
minutes when the order arrived to draw in the
pckets and prepare to march again. We were
then about | | miles from Cumberland Gap, aud
rebel Lieutenant had been captured who informed
the General that the enemy were evacuating the
| Gap and would probably move some Of the artil.
that evening. presume the intention was to
capture them so we advanced again, and for the
first time Union flag was displayed by party
of citizens who were awaiting our arrival. We
soon arrived within sight Of the Cap and to our
surprise found the hill covered with tents Some
of the boys suspected that we had been led into Il
trap, altho' gh assured by every citizen that the
enemy had left. AT about sunset we arrived at
the foot Of the mountain, and were here formed
in column, with Capt Fosters artillery in the rear,
to proceed to the Gap. Arriving there we were
haulted and formed into line of battle and soon
the roar of pieces of artillery announced to
those around that the stars and stripes foated
over this stronghold of the enemy and that the
door was again opened to East Tennessee. The
citizens commenced Aocking in, but a little sur
prised to learn that they would be placed unde
guard during the night We retired to rest fo
the night in as comfortable quarters as could bt
obtained myself and comrade having slept be
tween two graves, with the rain pouring dow
uron us all night, so you may imagine that W.
had not the most comfortable quarters. The
next morning we went to the Gap.
1t is impossible to give correct idea of tn,
strength Of this position. 1t appears to me tina
the great natural advantages it possesses, beside
the Notifications built by skillfu engineers, woul,
5 have rendered it impossible to take by siege
| had it been defended by brave troops. The mum
: Der OF the cnemy's force is not known the forti
fcations capable of holding about 80 600 men
y but whether they had enough to occupy these il
doubtful. Their force must have been large
however, as the number of barracks and tent
o fiund here would shelter from 10000 to II, 90
f men. Their tents and camp equipagcs were al
left behind, but in such mutilated condition tha
= they are worthless. Five cannon OF large calibr
were left three 81 Founders and two A Founders
, but they were spiked and the carriages hacked t.
pieces. "A vast amount of ammunition was des
troyed and provisions in any quantity can b.
founed buried and destroyed as much possible
Time and space will not permit me to give fur
ther particulars Of the Gap, but more anon.
Yours, respectfully,
= CHARLES link,