Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-08-31
From the New York Herald.l
MOrgan's Evacuation Of Cumber'
land (snn.

Military authorities agree upon the fact
that next to brilliant victory ranks askill-
ful retreat. Stonewall Jackson, acknowl-
edged to be the most effective among the
rebel Generals, has gained this n0toriety by
the rapidity of his movements, the success
ful manner In which he has extrcated him
self from dangerously advanced positions,
and above all, those long and arduous
marches whereby he managed to throw his
troops upon undefended places. The re-
treat OF General Geo. w. Morgan, who,
with his brave command, has so long held
Cumberland Gap, is one of those brilliant
retreats, hazardous, but completely success
ful--one of the movements of the campaign
to have page In history by itself.
AT the time General Morgan captured the
Gap the achievem mt was somewhat over
looked by thelpub ic, other events then at
tracing their att, ntion. Military judges,
however, gave to Gen. Morgan the need Of
praise he deserved for capture which may
be termed Napoleonic. General Morgan
was surrounded by difficulties of nature
Appalling to a less determined or less skill
full soldier. His cannons had to be drawn to
rocky SUBMITS by extraordinary Efforts
His men, cheered by the praise of their COM
mander, urged to mighty efforts by his con-
slant encouragement, achieved, such VIC
tories over nature as did the armies of Ma
poleon and, Hannibal when they crossed the
snow-capped Alps. Havingseized the Gap,
Gen. Morgan held 1t until the present time,
although for months surrounded by rebel
forces more than ten times the number of
his devoted band. For months past we
have heard that General Morgan would
have to surrender, as he could procure no
supplies for his troops. But as constantly
have we heard of some brilliant sortie on
his part, the re,ult of which was the cap
ture of prisontrs and trains of provisions.
At last, finding the position untenable,
Gen. Morgan has evacuated the Gap. But
he has done so only after having rendered
it impassable. .. ..-.l r.syy
1t Is gratifying to hear, that from the mo-
ment he began his brilliant retreat Gen.
Morgan acted upon the offensive. AL
though constantly surrounded by the enc
my, he continued his march, his men at one
time continuing steadily forward for
twenty-four consecutive hours. Shoeless,
hatless and half-naked, Gen. MOrgan's brave
troops day after day attacked the rebels
with irresistible fury and drove them away
with invarable success. This harassing
work lasted for sixteen days.
We are not surprised to hear of General
Morgan's success. He is a thorough soldier,
by education, bylong years of arduous and
gallant service, and, lastly, by period of
close application to military improvements
in Europe. During residence of several
years in France, as United States Consul at
Marseilles, and in Portugal, as United States
Minister, Gen. Morgan, without neglecting
the duties of his distinguished position,
eagerly benefited by the experience
of the most skil!ful of European
officers. He visited frequently the Camp
at Chalons, in France, to witness the
result of the Emperor Napoleon's improve
ments in military tactics, and carefully
studied them. He is at present in the first
rank of our officers. Now that he is free
to act we shall hear great tidings from him.
We shall expect to hear that, according to
the spirit of Gen. Halleck's late circular
concering promotion for gallant services,
Gen. M. has been advanced to the higher
rank he so richly deserves.