Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-08-08

The TAXING or CUMBERLAND Gar
The occupation Of Cumberland Gap, in East
Tennessee, by the force under Gen George
w. Morgan Of Ohio. although little has bee :
said of il, was one of the noblest acts of gen
eralship that have transpIred duriug the war
Cumberland Gap is the strongest position in
America, and yet it was taken by Gen Nor
gan without the loss of single men. An Of
hcer of the Union army, in private letter.
gives the following account OF the means taken
by Gen. Morgan to carry out his purpose
To accomplish this most dReult deed the National
column-esiimutcd by the rebels at twenty thousand
slrong-made a cifcuitous march n ninety i've miles,
over around about and through these tremendous and
everlasting mountain ranges instead Of a direct march
Of fourteen miles from the position had previously
held north Of the mountains Al Cumberland F,rd MAJ
is, INSTEAD OF attacking the encmys suunghod Ia front
we turned his position from unexpected points, and he
was compelled 10 vacuate the formidable fortress
on this continent, which he did without firing gun six
weeks before advancing across the mountans Gen Nor
gan gave out, in by which was sure 20 reach the
rebels that early in jane he would receive reinforce
ment 81 hiteen thousand met when he would instantly
force his way through lSg Greek Gap some thirty miles
southwest Of Cumberland Gap and take latter strong
hold in the rear, while the enemy would also be attack
ed In front by additional force ten thousand men
Perhaps the r'bels might credit the whole NJ IN
prog ANNE but our adroit leader began to carry out
parts OF ~ 81 That they finally came 60 believe IL all
General Morgan commenced threatening Big Creek
Gap with single brgode to fix the enenlys at.
thllnh Al AhAN peAf ana % dIAW % nom Rogers Gan.
through which, though considered absolutely impossible
by artillery by large infantry force Gen Morgan
had determined 10 force his way the mountains
into the Valley Gen Kirby Smith who Is in command
" The rebel troops in East Tennessee several times al
tnpied 10 surprise small force at Big Creek Gan
bat we always advised Of his approach By scouts
Who would hy over the mountains night aud day Al
length, by rapid and simultaneous movement an our
hfces were con 'entrated and advanced Ia two col
unus through both Rogers and Big Geek GAl,--apsrt
hom each other about twenty miles and which said
before had always been considered impossible for Are
~ The enemy fe into the trap aud believing our for
,es 70 De 1000 strong, way before and afforded
" an uninterrupted passage through b III gaps We
haa now performed The great feat OF crossing I'll the
rme anu cumberland ranges Of mountains aud we're in
P'slVon where we could attack the enem,
suonBhulA pa the advance by a short and easy
mach into the heart ~ Bast Tennessee
Gen Morgan AZ once ihfeatentd the rebels AT Knox-
vile. Cumberland Gap aud Cdnon. The enemy was
heNdered and divided his forces 10 defend each n he
menaced paints, while Gen Morgan concentrated outs
again and on the 18Th n June. about o'clock In The
morning. started out from Rogers Gan upon IN =
road which along the southern base ~ the Cumber
land Mountains and by rapid march reached Cum.
betland Gap aboat daylight only four hours AMER ,he
enemy had eytcuited. 10 despair n resisting Us
The result has completely den0Taliz d the enemy
fees 10 hAsi IenHessee and believe that We conld
'he 81" nav take or taken posseA iou ~ this whole
sriion of tounfn.'