From the Cumberland Gap Expedition

(Correspondence of the Cincinnati Commercial.)

CAMP NEAR BARBOURSVILLE,

KNOX COUNTY, KY., March 9, 1862.

We have had very bad weather in this section of the country.  The Cumberland River has been higher than it was ever know to be, the high water has done considerable damage to the farmers residing on its banks.  This freshet, and the Secesh, have almost ruined the people in this part of the State.  There are a great many deserted houses here – many of the Secessionists having gone south, while the loyal inhabitants had been driven away during the occupation of this section by the rebel army.  One battalion (Col. Mundy’s Ky. Cavalry) has encamped here, in order that we can get grain for our horses.  The Secesh army robbed the people of their grain, and destroyed whatever they did not carry off.

People who live not far from the Gap say that the Secesh had their horses hitched to their guns and wagons, ready to retreat, the day we attacked them, and if he had kept on, and not stopped till we reached the Gap, we would not have found a soul to fight with.  The enemy have since been reinforced by five or six thousand men.  It is said that the Gap cannot be taken from this side, and that it won’t be attempted.

Gov. Harris, of Tennessee, has issued a proclamation, in which he calls upon all those who are able to bear arms, to do so in the cause of the Secessionists, and that the graineries and store houses must be thrown open to the rebel army.  The consequence of this movement, is, that the male population of that portion of Tennessee nearest us, are leaving by thousands.  Our camps are full of them, and this little town is also filled with them, and still they come by fifties and hundred at a time.  They are being formed into regiments as fast as they come in.  They are not a very well informed set of people; they will stand and stare at [the] Lincolnites,” as they call us, with astonishment.  They talk very broad, just as the negroes do.

This is the Sabbath day, but there is no opportunity of attending churches in this region.  The people of this part of Kentucky are not very religious; they come every Sunday into camp to sell corn-bread, eggs, butter, etc.  It is expected that if the cavalry force be reduced to forty regiments, this battalion will be disbanded; one o four Captains has already resigned his commission, and it is said that tow more officers – one Quartermaster and a Captain have also resigned.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 22, 1862, p. 2