Year: 1863




ty and vicinity.


Perhaps some have had serious appre-
tensions of our safety as we have neared
Cumberland Gap-the great Gibraltar of
the center of our glorious republic.


But, praise be to the God of battles, the
brave Trumbull County men Of the noble
Seth Regiment are safe. We met the en-
my of our country, and they are ours by
an unconditional surrender. 1t seems
to me that we cannot praise God enough,
who interposed in our behalf and gave
us possession of this very important posi-
ton so surely and so easily.


As our brigade marched through Bar
louisville, the nearest village TO us, with
measured tread and proud, soldierly bear


ng, it made a most splendid appearance.
Our marching and music never was bet
ter. Many heart beat with strong, pa
triotic emotions as we went forth to the
immediate scene of action, feeling that
we had laid ourselves on the altar of our
country as sacrifices for great and noble
ends. The thought arose-will this noble
brigade return through these streets with
equal numbers, pomp and splendor.


TO one possessed of more or less of the
facts. it seemed extremely hazardous to
go forward over these very rough, rocky,
and narrow roads, climb the mountains
in the immediate vicinity of the Gap,
with infantry, cavalry and baggage, and
successfully resist number almost as
large as our own brigade, strongly en-
trenched and defended by powerful forts
supplied with artillery and strongly
fianked with rifle pits.


Our brigade, commanded by Colonel
De Coucy, marched in such divisions and
at such distances, that the impression was
given that our numbers were double their
real strength. This was part OF the
strategy. Acting General De Coucy, hav-
wing spent months at the Gap before, and
knowing the surroundings and by-ways
most thoroughly. led us by the most fea-
sable route. The course of large part
of the brigade was circuituous and over
very rough roads Major General Burn
side, short time previous, had succeed
ed in getting large body of troops be-
hind the Gap.


On September :. we came INTO the im-
mediate vicinity of the Gap. Some skir-
mishing ensued, and one of a Tennessee
Cavalry regiment was killed Five shells
were fred at our forces, none of which
did harm. They shot too high. After
dark our artillery came into position,
planted their batteries and entrenced
themselves within three-quarters of a
mile of the fort This of course was con-
cealed from view The morning of the
9th dawned upon us with dense fog and
clouds that rest on the tops of these
mountains. A flag of truce was sent in
with the demand that the enemy should
surrender. The rebels asked for time to
consult. saying that they would COM
mence the resistance at two o'clock p. m.
or haul down their flag.


The S6th Regiment was drawn up 10y
divisions with fixed bayonets, ready for
the charge, though weary from their
march and faint for want of food. The
battery was Ieady to make the assault on
the position strong by art and almost I'M
pregnable by nature. The mandate had
gone forth, unless there was an uncondi-
tional surrender by two p. m, the dogs
of war would be let slip. Moments big
with interest Every ear was open to
hear the first signal for the deepening
contest. But glory be to God boldness
and strategy and skill were successful.


The dove of peace spread her wings
and carried the olive branch over these
rugged and romantic mountains. At the
appointed hour, September ., the enc
mics of our country and of our cherished
religious institutions, surrendered =
and ere night the gallant Seth with their
brave and youthful commander, first en-
tered the Notifications, the glorious old
flag waving over them and the mountains
and valleys echoing to the joyous strains
of Yankee Doodle and Hail Columbia
O how sweet and cheering was this music
as it reverberated among the mountains
of the Cumberland. And how loud and
full of heartfelt feeling were the huzzahs
of the soldiers of the 9th Army Corps, as
the enemy grounded arms andwe gained
possession of this very important strong
hold. Our joy and enthusiasm was
surpassed by our surprise to
think that place so strong, and defend
ed by over two thousand troops with
of ammunition, should have
been surrendered without bloody and
fearful contest. Had the rebels opened
upon us in determined manner they
could have annihilated the Seth Regi
ment in a few minutes. Two cannons,
loaded with grape and canister, bore di-
rectly upon us and four Others almost as
directly. Besides there were long rows
of rifle pits from which every man yet
spared would have been cut down
Praise God, from whom all blessings
how." 1t seems to me a special interpo-
sition of Providence.


Cumberland Gap is the ThermopSle OF
the United States. A few men could sue
eessfulIy and for long time resist many
times their own numbers. The victory
was not mans, but the Lord of Hosts =
He it was that caused fear to come into
the hearts of our enemies. He 1T was
that caused the feeling which prevailed