The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1865-08-23
enemy, against loss Of less than forty

on our part.
These facts were duly reported.
On the 10th of August, 1862, l tele.
graphed to General Halleck, "This posi-.
tion snail not be yielded Will, we have
an ounce Of powder; but trust the road
will soon be opened by column from
Lexington"
General Halleck answered, "I will see
that you are very soon reinforced"
His promises only resulted in defeat
and disaster to our arms. On the 10th
Of August his reinforcements were driven
back at Big Hill on the Both Of that
month they were routed at Richmond,
and on the Sd Of September, in hot haste,
ho abahdoned Lexington aAd Frankfort
aud retreated to Covington and Louisville.
And Bragg maintained hi; position 10 the
Blue Grass region, more than one hun
dred miles this side Of Cumberland Gap,
for more than two months aftor General
Halleck promised bis speedy reinforce
meHts .-..
Inasmuch q, my advance against Cum.
berland Gap has been made subject Of
discassion before the Buel Commission +,
add as l haye not been summoned as !
witness, it is yroper that should here
state few facts, some Of which wero un-
known to me when my sficial report Of
the capture Of that stronghold was writ
ten. -..,.. ...f.,....... ..-.
| Ny camp at Cumberland Ford was
fourteen miles north Of the Gap, and to
reach it in front was si3 hours march.
But TO tiirn that position by flank move
ment required, from the Ford. an almost
impraoticable march Of ten or twelve days,
over distance Of ninet.fve miles. To
J deceive the enemy as to my intention, |
advanced in two eolumis-onc passing
the mouutaihs III Rogers and the other
at Big Creek Gap thus threatening, a
! the same time, Cumberland Gap, nine,
teen miles east of Rogers Gap; Knox.
vile, forty-6ve miles due south Of that
. Gap, and Clinton, about twenty miles
, south Of Big Creek Gap. Clinton was
D the enemy's base for supplies.
Before advancing from the Ford, l in.
: formed General Buel that Kirby Smiths
p force was nearly three times greater than
!. mine, and requested that diversion
should be made in my favor against Chat
I tqnooga. My request was complied with
0 and Smith believed the feint to be rea
= attack, and recalled Barton from. the
/ front Of Rig Creek Gap, and with twelve
+ thousand mco started for the relief oI
Chattanooga But on reaching London
t on the Tennessee river, he received tel
il egram stating that East Tennessee was
s being invaded by two columns. This re-
IS called to him rusc rumor which l had
d several weeks previously, caused to BE-
circulated; of my intention to attack the
o Gap 10 front, with twelve thousand men
# while, at the same time, I would advance
# in two columns by flank movement
d into East Tennessee.
If On the 10th Of June, l learned tha
d Smith and Barton were on their return
d and we're advancing to attack (Exbibi
I NJ; but it was not until week or tel
If days after our occupation Of the Gal
b that learned fully Of the disposition o
y Smiths forces He loft Stephenson will
!. six thousand men To defend Cumberland
T. Gap; sent Barton with -four Thousand
:, u.en to the Big Valley, 70 cover the ap
Q proach to Knoxville, while with eigh
thousand troops he took position at Clin
!, ton. .... m-
l Smiths disposition Of his troops indi
sr Gates his beliefthat INTENDED to advanc
a. upon Knoxville, and he hoped to NEE
I. me with his forces concentrated. NJ
m order Of march Exhibit o. shows that
s. anticipated his plan, and was prepares
Ia for it. My rapid advance upon Stephen
son foiled the execution of his design
to and Cumberland Gap was thus capture
., without the loss Of q man.
D. Gen. Buel knew that was maneuy
I ering against force nearly three time
al greater than my own, and this explain
II his anxiety for the safety Of my con
70 mand. .... ....
d. Upon assuming command at Cumber
as land Gap, I adopted conciliatory polio
Exhibit P Il O, and the citizens of th
ID adjoining counties Of Virginia and Tel
ID nessee focked in 10 resume their allog
se ance to the United States. 20
ur l am, sir, very respectfully,
-. Your obedient servant,
Il. T' ,' GEoRaE w. NJ MoRGAN.