Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-08-25
Obto Statesntart,
tFrom the Ohio State Journal, October IS, 1891
Gen. Morgan and Cumberland
Gam "a


Gen. Morgan and Cumberland
Gap. .ss
We took occasion some days since to speak
of the admirable retreat from Cumberland
Gap as conducted by Gen. Morgan. We
spoke of the necessity that compelled
that movement on the part of Gen. Morgan.
We then attributed that necessity to the
inertness or want of sagacity in Gen. Buell.; !;
and we have seen nothing since that inclines
us in the least degree to modify our con-
demnation of Gen. Buell's ''masterly inac-
'tivity" in regard to this affair. For it
would seem that if Gen. Buell. had have
desired the destruction of Gen. MOrgan's
command he could not have devised more
smasterly'' mode of etfecting it than by re-
naming inactive and permitting Kirby
Smith. and Bragg, aud John Morgan to
march into and through Kentucky, thereby
cutting off Gen.Morgan from all support
and all supplies. ." U1.
We publish this morning in another
column, brief but clear and thrilling ac-
count Of Gen. MOrgan's evacuation of Cum
berland Gap, and of his heroic retirement
through the mountain gorges and passes of
Kentucky to the Ohio river. We repeat
what we before stated, that the retreat OF
Morgan and his "lmmortal Ten Thousand
is an achievement to be ranked in history
with the retreat of Xenophon and his "lm-
mortal Ten Thousand" The Greek name
was not rendered more illustrious by that
renowned achievement than the American
name will be by this. '
By perusal of the account now published
it will be seen that oar Ten Thousand at
Cumberland Gap were actually surrounded
by Stevenson with force of 10000 rebels
on one side, and Smith with 10000 on the
other. Thus our little band of less than one
quarter of the rebel force was hemmed in
by two large armies, and without the possl-
bility of obtaining supplies, except as by
their bravery they assailed the enemy,s y,struck
them down, and seized their food and forage
To hold out was utterly impossible. Re-
treat or surrender was the only alternative
But surrender was not thought of. To re-
treat auds unavoidable. And even this was
effected in such manner as to amount to q
victory over herebel enemy. When oul
little army had evacuated, the rebels founC
nothing but vacancy. The "Gap" was OBJ
structed to such degree that its passag,
was rendered impossible for the rebel army
All our cannon and small arms, all our train
and animals, were successfully removed
and although the rebels essayed to haras
and cut off our retreating troops, theywer
made to suffer more than we did. Ant
thus surrounded on all sides, our brav
troops and their heroic leader pushed tor
ward for sirteen days and nights over NOR
than two hundred and fifty miles of noun
famous regions, through defiles and gorges
everywhere exposed to ambuscades and as
saults in mountain passes. subsistiDg upol
corn grated upon graters eXtemporizet
from their tin plates, still lighting and re
pulsing the lurking rebels as they attempt
ed an attack.
In this memorable retreat Lieut.. Col. Gal
lup, Capt. McNish, Capt. Patterson, an
Corporal Reynolds, distinguished them
selves for their bravery and daring wher
all were heroes.
When that important "Gap" was take
| possession of by Gen. Morgan, we hadfond
| " hoped that East Tennessee and the grea
| trunk line of railroad over which the rebt
army in Virginia was kept in existence o,
| the supplies received from the Southwest
were soon to be occupied and permanently
held by our National troops. But by roa
son of the sluggishness of Buell. in the di
rection of Chattanooga, and his failure t
keep Smith and Bragg out of Kentucky
we have lost all that was gained by tn
| timely occupation of Cumberland Gap; an
we have saved our army and military store
only by means of this most daring and sue
cesstul retreat. Buell. now owes it to him
self and his country to make sure OF thl
whole rebel army that has mockingly com
into his rear and threatened the cities o
the Ohio. The great pity is that the live
of brave men should be necessarily sacrl
feed to win back from the rebels that sue
laundering and stupidity have lost. '