The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1865-09-13
From the Ohio State Journal, Sep. 16, 1862. ]
From Cumberland Gap--The Per-
i'll of Our Army i'm East Tennessee.

from Cul1DeIldhuNSS NSShp--I u NC I~ef.
iIOf Our Army i'm East Tennessee.
The following is an extract Of letter
from distinguished Union officer serv-
ing under Gen. Morgan (the present Dem
ocratic candidate for Governor at Cum
berland Gap:
o CUMBERLAND GAP, Tenn, %, 1862.
We are surrounded and our supplies cut
off The rebels have twenty thousand
men, just out of cannon shot In our front,
and their pickets run across the noun
tains from valley to valley, up to within
two miles of this Gap. More of the en-
emy's troops are now on their way from
Knoxville, and two rebel columns have
also gained our rear, one of which crossed
over by Rogers and the other by Big
Greek Gap. One of these columns, un-
der Gen. Kirby Smith, is, it is said bout
to push its way up to Northern Kentucky,
to attempt to cross the Ohio River, and
by the time this reaches you, if it ever
does, the whole of Eastern Kentucky will,
fear, have fallen into the hands of the
rebels, and we may be isolated by dis
tance of hundreds of miles from the only
region from which we can hope for succor.
We have begged for reinforccments and
support for two months past, so that we
might penetrate into East Tennessee.
where both friends and supplies await US,
but the authorities at Washington have
turned deaf ear to our entreaties.
Though the rebel force is great on all
sides Of us.I do not believe they will dare
to attack us. They evacuated this strong
hold with force 6,000 strong, and a re-
enforcement of $4,000 within three hours
march. This was more than twice the
number of the Nation nal force with which
Gen. Morgan captured the Gar, p,and which
had no reinforcements within distance
Of one hundred miles. But the enemy is
unable to cope with such determined men
as compose this little army.
1 am assured by the highest authority
here, that in no event will Cumberland
Gap be surrendered or evacuated. The
only means the rebels have of destroying
US is to starve us to death; and I own that
in this respect the prospect looks some
what gloomy. IF the rebels now moving
northward reach the Ohio River, we shal
then despair of relief; and by the end o
| September or October, our bones bleach
ing on the mountains may be all that cal
be found of Gen. Morgan's army.
If it be in the programme of the Gov
ernment to relieve US, column of 90
men must be sent Immediately from Lex
jington. It can be done. Ohio, Indian
and Kentucky can furnish the troops; an,
if they are not hampered by absurd or
ders, the column might yet reach us il
time. Gen. Morgan says that, if appris
ed of the approach of relieving force
he himself would advance to meet it witt
a portion of his army, and cut his wa.
through the beleaguering rebels, or per
ish in the attempt.
The enemy's troops are like famished
wolves. Hunger has made them desper
ate. Look out for ravages if they get u
into the blue grass regions of Kentucky.
Daily and hourly we look anxiously 70
relief, We listen with sharp ears for tn
drum tap of Gen. Buell. in the Southwest
or the bugles of Union column advan
cling over the hills from the North. Higl
on the mountain peaks this little arm
defantly upholds the flaming emblem Q
the Republic. God forbid that our Gov
ernment should leave US to be starved ou
or slaughtered piece meal, uncared for
these solitudes. aa
In view of the perils that surround us
Gen. Morgan has issued the following in
. spiriting address to his army. which ha
been read at the head of every corps an
regiment in the vicinity of Cumberlan
Gap: q
HEADoR's, 7TH DIv., ARMY or THE ONO,
n CUMBERLAND Gar, Aug. Is, 1852.
GENERAL ORDERS, No. 73. OFFICE
q AND SOLDIERS OF THE 7TH DIVISION: Th
opportunity you have SO long desired hs
4 at length arrived, and you will now prov
to your friends, your country and th
world, that you are soldiers in fact an
deed, as well as in name.
q The famished enemy is in despai
D Driven from, Chattanooga, and Richmon
2 2 escaping from his grasp, he sees that /
is forced to occupy Kentucky, lndlar
and Ohio, or give up the contest. %
Two months ago to day, he ingloriou
. ly abandoned this formidable stronghold
although his force was then greater tina
. yours. If it was then strong, it is infil
itely stronger now-stronger in fortifc'
= tions, stronger in artillery, and above al
stronger in the brave hearts and stror
arms which defend this mountain fastnes
destined to become immortal from yor
q glorious deeds.
q They tals of the eneny's numbers. b
lieve me, soldiers, his very strength is h
! lereatest weakness, for the more men
has the sooner will they starve.
One word to you, and regard that wol
, as fixed as fate. You can hold this pos
q ton against any odds, and you have b.
to determine to conquer, and victory
yoursl 5
- Comrades, greet and salute you'll
= GEORGE ". MORGAN,
. Brig. Gen., commanding the victors
- Cumberland Gap. q
! HEALTH OF JEFF DAWSON Frid;