Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-08-25
CUMBERLAND Gar,
no Tuesday, July |, 1862.

NV DEAR o.: You have doubtless
heard that the Union troops are now In
possession of Cumberland Gap, the strong
est Losition in America, and that it was
captured by General Morgan without the
loss of a single man. TO accomplish 6his
difficult deed, the National column-estl-
mated by the rebels at twenty thousand
strong, though l, of course, can give you
no estimate whatever-made clrcultous
march of ninety-tive miles, over, around
about, and through these tremendous and
everlasting mountain ranges, instead of a
direct march of fourteen miles from the
position we had previously held north OF
the mountains at Cumberland Ford; that Is,
instead ofattacking the enemy's stronghold
in front, we turned his position from uneX-
pected points, and he was compelled to
eyacuate the most formidable fortress on
this continent,which he did without firing a
gun. Six weeks before advancing across
the mountains, General Morgan gave out,
in a way by which it was sure to reach the
rebels, that early III June he would receive
a reinforcement of fifteen thousand men,
when he would instantly force his way
through Big Creek Gap, some thirty miles
southwest of Cumberland Gap, and take the
latter stronghold in the rear, while the en-
| emy would also be attacked in front by an
| additional force often thousand men, Per-
| haps the rebels might not credit the whole
of this programme, but our adroit leader
began to carry out parts of it, so that they
finally became to believe it all. 1 a'
Gen. Morgan commenced threatening Big
Creek Gap with single brigade, so as to fix
the enemy's attention at that place and to
draw it from Rogers Gap, through which,
though considered absolutely impossible by
artillery or by large infantry force, Gen.
Morgan had determined to force his way
across the mountains into the valley. Gen.
| Kirby Smith, who is in command of the
rebel troops in East Tennessee, several
times attempted to surprise our small force
at Big Creek Gap, but we were always ad-
vised of his approach bylour scouts, who
would fly over the mountains night and
day. AT length, by a rapid and simulta-
neous movement, all our forces were con-
centrated, and we advanced in two columns
through both Rogers and Big Creek Gap
apart from each other about twenty miles,
and which, as | said before, had always
been considered impossible for artillery
The enemy fell into the trap, and believing
our forces to be 10000 strong, gave way be-
tore us, and afforded us an uninterrupted
passage through both gaps. We had now
performed the great feat of crossing all the
Pine and Cumberland ranges OF mountains
and were in position where we could al
once attack the enemy's stronghold in the
rear, or advance by a short and easy marcel
into the heart of East Tennessee. ru
| Gen. Morgan at once threatened the reb-
els at Knoxville, Cumberland Gap and
Clinton. The enemy was bewildered, and
divided his forces to defend each of the
menaced points, while General Morgan
concentrated ours again; and on the 18th o.
June, about one o'clock 10 the morning. W.
started out from Rogers Gap upon the roat
which runs along the southern base of thu
Cumberland Mountains and by a rapi(
march we reached Cumberland Gap abou
daylight, only four hours after the enemy
had evacuated, in despair of resisting us.
The result. has completely demoralize(
; the enemy's forces in East Tennessee, ant
we believe that we could then, or now, take
or have takeniEessession of this whole sec
ton of country. We all expected to NOV,
forward at once, after capturing the Gap
to Knoxville, to seize that ancient capita
of this State, and TO hold the East Tennes
see and Virginia railroad, over which th,
rebels in Virginia obtain the greater par
of their supplies of beet cattle, not to speal
of salt. But we have been here for the pas
fortnight with our whole force, which
though not as strong as the enemy repre-
sents, is not at all contemplate in numbers
How longiwe are to lie here, none of us, o
course, know. Gen. Morgan, | know, 1
anxious to push forward; butit is said her
that his orders from Washington peremp
torily forbid him of making any movement
Whatever. ,Carter's brigade is composed il
great part of East Tennesse eXiles, and the.
are eager to get to their homes, which tn
rebels arestill ravisling; but thoughalmos
within sight of--perhaps not the pearl.
| gates of heaven--but, at least, the .doorsil
of their loved dhpmes-theyl are not permit
ted to enterin.94a lsiod 4yapR s3ii 4li
/ lam astonished that this handsome an!
gallant strategcal movement (which w
here consider one of the Q most importan
triumphs of the year, should have been s.
ompletelyunnoticed throughout the eoun
try. | should Judge from the fewipaper
that occasionally reach us, that youth tn
East Imagine Cumberland Gapiftoi be still
in possession of the rebels. We don't car
about your newspapers praising welppo
fellows, who are Hghting the battles of th
Union IN these wild mCuntain regions, ant
amid the most tremendous difficulties; bu
would, at least, have you know that Cum
berland Gap is ours. H cur forces have no
as vet done any ytiing more, that mind you
is hot our faultgL L like true soldiers, we,obe.
Gen. MergaH who obeys our honest Presi
| dent, who commands us all. ,,b.r a.. =.
, Our Gen. Morgan (pray do not Nconfoun'
him with the rebel guerrilla lMprgan3 ha
seenVreal service In Mexico, and under