The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-10-27
HISTORY OF THE SURRENDER OF
CUMBERLAND GAP. ~

Major d. G. Mcdowell of the CID N. C. Reei
ment, which was surrendered at Cumberland Gan
by Sen. Frazer, publishes letter which.is tn
frst reliable accouit Of that affair." It appear
that on Monday, the 9th of September, about
O'Clock A. M., the Yankee General, Shackelford
/ appeared about two miles from the Gap and de
maaced its surrender, which. was refused by Gen
I f., and on Tuesday again made aud again refused
/ The Majors statement continues the narrative
On Tuesday evening Col DeCosey's commant
made their appearance on the north side of tn,
mountain. portion of his command approached
on the Harlin county road and portion on th,
main Kentucky road. A heavy skirmish soon be
| gan between Capt. Turpin's company, of my regi
| ment, and the advance of the Abolitiopists Capt
Turpin, with his gallant boys; effectuaIly checked
the advance of the enemy until late in the evening
| when the Yankees disappeared, Capt Turpin hold
ing his ground, which was something near one
mile in advance of our line.
About o'clock, Tuesday evening, Col. DeCosey
demanded the unconditional surrender of. Genera
Frazer and command. Gen. Frazer replied under
flag of truce, asking of Gen. DeCosey the numbe,
of forces to which he was ordered TO surrender
DeCosey replied near IL o'clock at night refusing
20 give the number of forces under his command
stating that it was from motives entirely discon
neeted with the attack upon the gap that he did
So Gen. Frazer then refused to surrender, and il
was understood that the fight would open at L
o'clock on Monday [ will state in this conpec,
tion, that on Tuesday evening a council of the
commanding officers of regiments was called, which
resulted in the refusal of all to be surrendered.
Will state further that majority preferred the risk
of cutting their way through the Yankee lines
than to be surrendered'on any terms A fight was
therefore confidently expected. Near IL O'clock
Wednesday, the 9th, when all was in anxious
expectation for the fight to open, Gen. Frazer re-
ceived from Burnside, under flag Of trnce, de-
mand for the unconditional surrender of himself
and command Very soon after its reception, one
of Gen. Frazers aid d-de-camps came In great haste
down the mountain and ordered me to take down
my battle-fag and hoist white flag instead there
of. Although many of us were of opinion that
we would be surrendered sooner or later, you can
imagine the astonishment with which this struck
the brave boys that were anxiously expecting an
engagement.
Various statements have been made in regard
to the conduct of the troops composing the COM
mand at Cumberland Gap. assert most positive
ly that have yet to troops in finer spirits or
more determined to hold their ground than the
troops insthe gap. | have learned that an attempt
is being made to justify the surrender of the gap
upon the ground that the troops in the gap would
not fight and that some Of them shouted when
the flag was ordered down. The last charge was
made against the GID North Carolina regiment.
The first is false, and the second not only false,
but is base and cowardly effort to protect those
that may be guilty at the expense of the innocent
brave, patriotic, and true. We we're surrendered
then to Gen. Burnside on Wednesday, the 9th, at
4 o'clock, P NJ. Many made their escape after
the surrender, and among them was your unworthy
correspondent. We had when we were surrender
ed provisions upon which we could have subsisted
80 days We had all the ammunition ON hand
that we had when the gap was first invested. My
regiment $50 rounds to the man, and presume
other regiments had the same. AS to the spiking
and throwing over the cliffs the artillery mention
ed in your issue of the Eth, ,.taken- from the Knox
vile Register, l know nothing, piece thar
two men of my copmand was pieketing, which
they spiked and threw over the cliff near it on
their own responsibility.
This / witnessed and know to be true. The
number of forces Investing the gap l am not by
any means prepared to state. 1t was represented
to be near 10000 each side the gap. IF the
was matter of necessity it was from
causes other than want of; provisions, ammuni-
ton, or willingness on the part of the to do
their duty.