A letter from Knoxville . . .

. . . dated the 3d, published in the Memphis Appeal, says:

The Governor’s proclamation, calling out the militia, has cause a great Exodus of Unionists into Kentucky.

Everything was quiet at Cumberland Gap on the 2d.

A few days since one hundred and four Lincoln troops passed through Big Creek Gap and killed  three and captured fourteen of the sappers and miners employed in blocking up this mountain pass.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 22, 1862, p. 3

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

Preparation for a Fight at Cumberland Gap, Tennessee

(Correspondence of the Louisville Journal)

MERSAON’S CROASS ROADS,

Laurel Co., Kentucky, May 2, 1862.

We receive nearly every day word by passing supply trains of how matters are going on at the Cumberland Ford, and all the rumors current there in regard to the doings at the Gap.  Every one concurs in the statement that there is to be a tremendous fight necessary to take it, as they have the strongest intrenchments that have yet been occupied by the rebel troops, and are determined to make a stand, for the occupation of the place by the Federals would cut off all communication between Richmond and the army of the rebels in Mississippi by the quickest and most convenient route.  ‘Twas said that Gen. Smith, the rebel commander there, sent a bragadocia message to Gen. Morgan, who is commanding on our side, that he would defend the place until every one of his men, and himself, too were numbered among the killed.  I don’t know much about Smith’s character, but from all accounts, Morgan means what he says when he talks that way.  It’s more likely Smith’s defiant style, like Buckner’s black flag, was gotten up merely for show, and will not, in the end prevent an unconditional surrender.

Near the Gap, Morgan has engineers and miners working every day, as he is trying to plant a strong battery on a point that overlooks the enemy completely, and every day there are advances made in the work.  They have been reinforced lately by the Wisconsin battery that was sojourning in the Fair ground at Louisville through the winter, and as it is composed of splendid Parrott guns, and is supposed to be the best battery out here, it very likely will be the one posted on the mountain.  I do not know what other batteries are out there now, but the following is a complete list of the regiments there.

(For prudential reasons we omit the numeration of the forces now at the Gap.)

There are three Brigadiers there: Generals Morgan, Carter and Spears, and as there will be a brigade or two more than they can manage, there will be some chance for deserving Colonels who aspire higher.

When I reach the ford I will be better able to give you more detailed accounts of the proceedings there, and as they have a telegraph in operation now as far as Barboursville, I will try and telegraph the most important news to you, always, of course, providing that a military necessity don’t stand in the way.

G. G. S.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 17, 1862, p. 2