Statewide County TN Archives Military Records.....Chapter II 1902
Civilwar 1st Regt., TN Vol. Cavalry
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Chapter II
CHAPTER II.



CUMBERLAND GAP—MORGAN'S CAMPAIGN—THE STRONGHOLD FALLS—OPERATIONS AROUND THE

GAP—HARD SERVICE AND SHORT RATIONS—BIG CREEK GAP.



    This was a large army to be maintained in a mountainous country, the

inhabitants producing scarcely enough for their own use, much less to feed an

army, and to take from them seemed like robbery. It was about eighty miles to

the nearest depot of supplies and the greater portion of that distance was

through a hilly country. The only means of transportation was army wagons and

the roads were so bad that the teams could not make more than ten to twelve

miles a day. This was an undertaking of more than ordinary magnitude, but

General Morgan and his army were patient under the circumstances and by the

first of June enough of supplies had been accumulated to warrant Morgan in

entering upon his proposed campaign, the objective point being the capture of

Cumberland Gap, one of the most noted in the great Cumberland range.



    From scouts and reconnoissances made toward this stronghold, Morgan learned

that the Gap was well fortified and held by five or six thousand troops, under

the command of General Stevenson. This information led Morgan to abandon his

contemplated attack in front and force Stevenson to evacuate the Gap by a flank

movement. It is exceedingly doubtful if the place could have been carried by a

direct assault, on account of the roughness of the approaches.



    The country over which Morgan's army marched in this great flank movement

was exceedingly rough and mountainous, and to one who has never passed over the

route it would be very hard to imagine the difficulties to be overcome in

transporting cannon and a heavy baggage train over it. It is a short day's march

from Cumberland Ford to Cumberland Gap, but to reach the latter place by Big

Creek Gap would require at least ten to twelve days of hard marching over almost

impassable roads, a distance of one hundred miles.



    The only gaps that could be crossed by an army encumbered with artillery and

heavily loaded wagons were Big Creek and Rogers Gaps, and toward these Morgan

marched his army in two columns of two brigades each. Big Creek Gap is

thirty-eight miles nearly due west from Cumberland Gap and thirty-six miles from

Cumberland Ford. These gaps were all blockaded and a small force stationed at

each one to watch the movements of the Union army. General E. K. Smith was in

command of the Department of East Tennessee and had placed General Barton with

his division near the mouth of Big Creek Gap on the south side to prevent

Morgan's troops from crossing at this gap.



    All of Morgan's division was at Cumberland Ford except Spears' brigade,

which at that time was encamped near Boston, Kentucky. A floating bridge was

built across Cumberland River and the army moved to the south side. General

Spears' brigade—except the Fourth Tennessee Volunteers—was ordered to the foot

of Pine Mountain, on the Big Creek Gap road, for the purpose of removing the

blockade. In order to deceive the enemy at Cumberland Gap, a feint was made in

that direction to cover the movements on Rogers and Big Creek Gaps.



    On the 9th day of June, the Fourth Tennessee broke camp at Cumberland Ford

and marched with General Carter's brigade—to which it was at that time

temporarily attached—to the old Moss house on the Cumberland Gap road, where the

whole command bivouacked for the night. The next morning we were joined by

Captain Lanphere's Seventh Michigan Battery, after which the entire brigade and

battery moved a short distance on the Clear Creek road and encamped for the night.



    Resuming the march the next day the brigade marched on to Boston by way of

Lambdin's, where it bivouacked for the night. We experienced great trouble in

getting our wagons and the artillery over the almost impassable roads. On the

morning of the 13th, General Carter was ordered to move his brigade through Big

Creek Gap and join Morgan at Rogers Gap in Powell's Valley. The command was

moved out early on the morning of the 14th, and as the day wore away the long

drawn-out column of weary troops could be seen tramping along cheerfully toward

Pine Mountain, believing when the summit was reached the road would be better.



    The march, however, was relieved of much of its tediousness by the grandeur

of the scenery. This was an exceedingly hard day on the men as well as the

horses and mules, but by the united exertion of the troops the wagons and

artillery were safely taken across Pine Mountain, though the men and horses were

greatly fatigued.



    Early on the morning of he 15th, General Carter received a dispatch from

General Spears at Big Creek Gap stating that his brigade was attacked, and

requesting him to move immediately to his support. The troops were ordered into

line and in a short time the column was under way, and so eager were the men to

meet the enemy that they forgot the hard and tedious marches of the preceding

days, pushed forward and reached General Spears' position, ten miles distant, by

noon. When Carter's troops reached Spears at Big-Creek Gap all was quiet, his

troops having repulsed the enemy, which proved to be a part of General Barton's

command. Heavy details were made to assist the teams in overcoming the ascents

and descents of this mountainous country.



    The road—as it was called—was rough and full of huge boulders, and at some

places was very steep, narrow and winding, in fact at places it seemed utterly

impossible to pass by safely. At places where the road was so crooked and full

of boulders there was great danger of the artillery and wagons being

precipitated down the almost perpendicular banks of jagged rocks at places

almost a hundred feet high, meaning death to man or beast if they toppled over

these yawning chasms. But by doubling the teams and the troops tugging at ropes,

block and tackle, this great task was accomplished with but slight loss. The

heaviest siege guns weighed eight thousand pounds and the reader can form his

own conclusions of the magnitude of the undertaking.



    On reaching Big Creek Gap, Colonel Johnson was ordered to join Spears'

brigade, the one to which the regiment belonged.   On the following morning the

line of march was taken up and the Fourth Tennessee, with the remainder of the

army, moved up Powell's Valley to Rogers' Gap, where it bivouacked for the

night.   As we marched up the valley the loyal people lined the road and gave us

a warm greeting, and the frequent outbursts of joy at the sight of the old flag

and the marching soldiers led us to believe that the greeting was from true

Unionists. At Rogers' Gap, Morgan again united his army. The brigades of De

Courcey and Baird had moved from Cumberland Ford toward Cumberland Gap, and

after a slight demonstration in front of that stronghold, moved to Rogers' Gap,

and after removing the blockade, crossed the mountain and marched out into

Powell's Valley. On the approach of Morgan's troops at Big Creek and Rogers'

Gaps, Barton moved rapidly up the valley toward Cumberland Gap.



    General Morgan had quietly turned Stevenson's left flank and his army was

now all on the south side of the mountain and nineteen miles west of Cumberland

Gap. Morgan was now between Stevenson and Smith, and decided to advance upon

Cumberland Gap before Kirby Smith could concentrate his forces at that point or

fight him in the field. Morgan issued orders for his division to move at 1 a. m.

on the 18th for the purpose of attacking the enemy, who was then said to be

encamped in force at or near the Thomas farm, about nine miles from Rogers' Gap.



    The army moved forward in two columns of two brigades each, on almost

parallel roads running from near Rogers' Gap and intersecting at Thomas'.

Carter's and Spears' brigades moved along the new valley road, De Courcey and

Baird on the old valley road, but before the two columns reached the Thomas farm

the enemy abandoned it and fled in great confusion toward Cumberland Gap. After

a short rest the two columns were united and the army continued the march up the

valley toward the Gap. Late in the afternoon the army came in sight of

Cumberland Gap, and Morgan was about to begin deploying his troops for an attack

when the scouts sent out by him returned and reported this great stronghold

abandoned.



    This great military prize fell by Morgan's strategy after a brief campaign

made under the most severe and trying difficulties, and before the close of the

day—18th—the Seventh Division marched in and took possession. Everything

indicated a hasty retreat. Stevenson threw five or six heavy cannon down the

cliffs, besides several left in position. All of his tents were slitted and left

standing. A large amount of stores and army supplies were destroyed, but quite a

lot fell into our hands not injured. On taking possession of the Gap a national

salute was fired in honor of its capture, by Foster's battery, from the summit,

while from the pinnacle the Stars and Stripes could be seen floating high above

our heads, its silken folds being kissed by the mountain breeze.



    "Forever float that standard sheet,

        Where breathes the foe that falls before us,

    With freedom's soil beneath onr feet,	]

        And freedom's banner streaming o'er us."



    In his report of the Cumberland Gap campaign, General Morgan says: "The

result secured by strategy is less brilliant than a victory gained amid the

storm and hurricane of battle, but humanity has gained all that glory has lost,

and I am satisfied."



    The following order from the Department Commander will give the reader an

idea of his high appreciation of this bloodless victory:



                    HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE OHIO,

                         Huntsville, Ala., July 11, 1862. 

GENERAL ORDERS NO. 29.

    The General commanding the Army of the Ohio takes pleasure in announcing the

success of an arduous and hazardous campaign by the Seventh Division,

Brigadier-General George W. Morgan commanding, by which the enemy's fortified

position at Cumberland Gap was turned and his forces compelled to retreat as our

troops advanced to attack. The General commanding thanks General Morgan and the

troops of the Seventh Division for the ability displayed in the operations

against this important stronghold and for the energy, fortitude and cheerfulness

which they exhibited in their struggle with difficulties of the most formidable

magnitude for an army. 

    By command of MAJOR-GENERAL BUEL.

                                      JAS. B. FRY,

                                Colonel and Chief of Staff.



    General Morgan placed his troops in and around the Gap and began the

construction of such works as seemed necessary for the protection of his army

from an attack from the south; Cumberland Gap, which has been by some one

denominated the "Gibraltar of America," was famous long before the thunder of

Confederate guns were heard at Fort Sumter. It was through this noted pass that

Daniel Boone, the great hunter and explorer, crossed on his way to the "Blue

Grass State," and was also one of the first points garrisoned in this section by

the Confederates in 1861. It is situated at the point of junction between three

States. By the side of the road on the south side and near the summit stands a

stone which marks the corner of three States—Tennessee, Virginia and Kentucky.

Some of the boys declared that they could stand in three States at once by

placing themselves on the top of this noted corner-stone.



    During the war it was held by both armies, and was a position of great

importance, it being a great natural gateway and key to the States of Tennessee,

Kentucky and Virginia. This noted mountain pass is one of the deepest clefts in

the great Cumberland range, and is at least one thousand feet higher than the

base, while on each side its lofty peaks tower at least one thousand feet

higher. Through this gap cannon and heavily laden army wagons could cross

without difficulty, besides it was the main gateway to the center of the

Confederacy, for only a short distance south was the main and most important

railroad which connects Richmond with the Gulf States. This was the road on

which the Unionists of East Tennessee burned so many bridges.



    It is also noted for its many springs of pure, sparkling water that leaps

and jumps down its rugged sides. The one on the south side furnishes power for a

busy mill that stood at the southern base, which did constant duty for the

Confederate as well as the Union army early in the war. It was burned by a

detachment of the Second Tennessee Volunteers, led by Major Dan Carpenter, in

1863. Morgan's division were the first Union troops to carry the old flag across

these rugged mountains and to enter this great stronghold. The peak to the east

is much the highest, and from this dizzy point a magnificent view of the States

of Tennessee, Kentucky and Virginia may be had, while away in the blue, hazy

distance the great Blue Ridge range and the beautiful Chilhowee may be seen.



    General Morgan established his headquarters on the south side of the Gap, at

Dr. Morrison's residence, a short distance east of the Tazewell road. General

Spears' brigade was encamped still east of Morgan's headquarters and near the

Virginia road. Drills and parades that had been given up during the campaign

were revived, and some days the level space at the foot of the mountain was

completely covered with troops, all going through different movements.



    Early in July, General Morgan sent Spears' brigade four miles northeast of

the Gap into Lee county, Virginia, to watch the enemy and collect forage. The

camp was on the Virginia road, near Woodson's Creek, and was named "Camp

Morgan," in honor of General Geo. W. Morgan, commandig the Seventh Division,

Army of the Ohio. This was the first time that the entire brigade had ever been

in camp together since its organization.



    Camp life at this place was made up of picketing, scouting, skirmishing,

drills and parades. Some of the outposts were under the rugged peaks of the

mountain, and as the weary sentinel stood quietly on the lonely picket-post with

his faithful musket by his side the whispering pines were lonesome companions.

As the enemy were in close proximity to our camp, great care and diligence was

required to prevent surprise, for we had no cavalry to do outpost duty. One of

the picket posts was well up to the foot of the mountain, and one dark night the

picket, who was wide-awake and with eagle eye was peering into the darkness to

detect the form of a man or an animal that he heard in his front. He did not

want to arouse the reserves, nor did he want to be captured, so at last, tired

of further suspense, he fired into the darkness. This shot aroused the reserves,

as well as the old government mule that was quietly approaching his supposed

friend. With lowered head and tail extended he dashed madly by the picket, and

the reserves, believing him to be harmless, refused to fire. Soon all became

quiet and no further alarm occurred during the night. The faithful sentinel,

when asked why he fired upon the defenceless mule, remarked that it had no

business outside the picket line without the countersign. In some way this mule

had gone beyond the picket line unobserved, possibly in search of something to

satisfy his craving appetite, and returning after dark was fired upon without

being challenged.



    The whole camp was kept guarded night and day, the beats were numbered and

at intervals during the night each sentinel was required to call out the number

of his beat or post in the following manner, beginning with post number one:

"Four o'clock and post number one all right." The sentinel on beat number two

would in like manner call out his number, this was followed by the next one and

continued until the round was made, and if a sentinel failed to respond the

corporal, of the guard was sent to find out the trouble.



    This was a new experience to the men composing the Twenty-fifth Brigade, and

this system of camp guard was the work of the fertile brain of General Spears,

our brigade commander. It is doubtful if there was another brigade in the whole

army that maintained such a system around its camp, yet it served his purpose

well and kept many a sleepy-headed sentinel awake while on duty. The men and

most of the officers were without military experience and as our camp was

located in the enemy's country, vigilance was a necessity, and be it said to the

credit of General Spears that his camp was never surprised, though hardly a day

passed without a brush with the enemy somewhere on the picket line.



    Late in the afternoon of the 5th of August, General Spears' camp was thrown

into great excitement by an order from General Morgan directing the Twenty-fifth

Brigade to march at once to the relief of De Courcey's brigade-at Tazewell,

Tennessee. De Courcey had been sent by Morgan to Tazewell for the purpose of

capturing a lot of supplies stored at that place by the enemy. The Fourth

Tennessee left camp at dark and marched with the remainder of the brigade in

light marching order toward Tazewell. Spears moved his troops rapidly along the

dusty road and on reaching Powell's River, six miles from Cumberland Gap, met De

Courcey falling back.



    Part of De Courcey's brigade was pretty roughly handled. While the wagons

were being loaded, Stevenson's division made an attack on his brigade, but he

held his position against great odds until the two hundred wagons he had taken

with him were loaded and well on their way toward the Gap. In this engagement

Colonel G. W. Gordon, Eleventh Tennessee Volunteers, C. S. A., was captured by

the Sixteenth Ohio of De Courcey's brigade. After a short rest the two brigades

returned to camp.



    It was while the Fourth Tennessee lay at Camp Morgan and during the sharp

and almost continuous picket fighting that Captain Brownlow, of Company C, began

to develop such fine soldierly qualities that later on made him famous as a

"fighter." The daily picket fighting gave him splendid opportunities and he soon

won for himself a brilliant reputation as a brave and determined leader. When

the regiment was organized at Flat Lick the office of lieutenant-colonel was

left vacant, and up to this position James P. Brownlow, captain of Company C,

the youngest captain in the regiment, was promoted. He was the youngest son of

Rev. W. G. Brownlow, of Knoxville, more familiarly known as Parson Brownlow, one

of the leading Unionists of East Tennessee and editor and proprietor of

Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. Captain Brownlow was just nineteen years old when he

was promoted to lieutenant-colonel of the Fourth Tennessee Volunteers. He was

tall and well proportioned, with keen, penetrating, gray eyes. He was a soldier

of fine ability, full of enterprise, energy and courage. He was never heard to

say "Go, boys," but always, "Come on, boys!" Agreeable in his manners and

accessible to all, he was strictly honorable in all of his dealings with men and

the government.



    First Lieutenant M. T. Burkhart was promoted to captain, and Second

Lieutenant E. J. Cannon to first lieutenant. First Sergeant J. K. Lones was

promoted to second lieutenant.



    About the middle of August, General Spears' brigade was ordered back to the

Gap. The occupation of Cumberland Gap by the Union army shortened the distance

and greatly reduced the chances of capture by the enemy of the East Tennessee

Unionists, who now came to the Gap by hundreds, leaving behind fathers, mothers,

wives and sisters. These loyal men came to enlist, and soon the ranks of all the

Tennessee regiments were full and the Second, Third and Fourth Cavalry were

beginning to receive recruits. From the loyal citizens three more companies were

recruited for the regiment, as follows:



COMPANY G.

     Captain, I. C. Leger; First Lieutenant, W. W. Mosier; Second Lieutenant, H.

K. Fields.



COMPANY I.

    Captain, Abraham Hammond; First Lieutenant, W. A. Kidwell; Second

Lieutenant, Jas. H. Elkins.



COMPANY K.

     Captain, Burton Smith; First Lieutenant, Nelson Bowman; Second Lieutenant,

Alexander M. Smith.



    This made the ten companies and brought the Fourth Tennessee up to the

government standard for an infantry regiment, and each company retained the same

letter and position during the service, with A on the right and then the other

companies from right to left, in the following order: F, D, I, C, H, E, K, G and B.

    The Fourth Tennessee had been without a chaplain up to this time, and no

doubt it was a most fortunate thing, as the regiment now had an opportunity of

procuring the service of an able Christian gentleman. Among those who made their

escape and came through the lines to our camp was Rev. John P. Holtsinger, a

Cumberland Presbyterian minister of Greeneville, and at the request of Colonel

Johnson the commissioned officers voted for and unanimously elected him chaplain

of the regiment. He was a model Christian, intelligent, kind and brave, and the

noble example that he set before the men composing the regiment was worthy of

emulation. The profound confidence that the men had in him in camp as well as

upon the battlefield was such that he was called the "Father of the Regiment."

He was-always, present on the field of battle, in the midst of danger and death,

to speak words of comfort to the wounded and dying, and one of the best

evidences of his popularity and worth is that he "stuck" to us to the end.



    Shortly after the occupation of Cumberland Gap by General Morgan's forces,

Lieutenant W. P. Craighill, of the Engineer Corps, was sent to the Gap and

commenced the construction of such defensive works as would assure the safety of

the position with a small force. These works were built on the south side, and

so situated that should this great stronghold fall into the hands of the enemy

they could not be used in an attack from the north side. In the construction of

these works' large details were made from the different regiments to build them.

General Smith did not withdraw his forces very far from the Gap after its fall.

General Stevenson's division remained in close proximity, and the remainder of

Smith's troops were stationed at other points more or less remote.



    About the 15th of August, General Spears was ordered to Wallace's Cross

Roads, eighteen miles north of Knoxville, for the purpose of breaking up a

Confederate camp at that place. Spears moved his brigade through the Gap to the

north side of the mountain and then turning west marched down the north side to

Big Creek Gap. This camp was about fifty to sixty miles from Cumberland Gap,

direct route, and was considered a dangerous movement, as almost the whole

distance lay within the enemy's line and was made without the aid of cavalry.

But in the ranks of Spears' brigade there were scores of men who were well

acquainted with the country through which he was to march.



    From Big Creek Gap, Spears turned south and moved rapidly toward Robbins'

Ford, on Clinch River. This ford is something near six miles below the junction

of Powell's river with Clinch, and about five miles from Wallace's Cross Roads.

This was before the day of pontoons in the Army of the Ohio, and to the men in

the ranks there seemed but one way to cross. The troops pulled off their shoes

and placed them and their cartridge-boxes and belts on the muzzles of their guns

so as to keep them dry, and while waiting for orders to cross some freak of

memory suggested that grand old hymn:



    "On Jordan's stormy banks I stand,

        And cast a wishful eye."



    It was, however, a season of the year when the water was not cold and the

boys rather enjoyed the bath, but were a little slow to enter the stream at the

start. From this point Spears pushed on and at noon reached the enemy's camp,

which he completely surprised.



    The Confederates were quietly cooking their dinner, not thinking for a

moment that there was a Yankee in fifty miles of them. They were routed and fled

in all directions, leaving their warm dinner for us, and sixty-five men killed,

wounded and captured, besides several horses and mules and a lot of guns and

camp equipage.



    Spears' brigade was now within eighteen miles of Knoxville, the home of many

of his men. From loyal citizens we learned afterwards that this movement of

Spears produced the wildest confusion in Knoxville and that the enemy expected

the "despised Yankees" at any moment. Spears' brigade was composed wholly of

Tennessee troops, and many of the men were almost in sight of their homes, but

were not permitted to leave the ranks for fear of being captured.



    General Spears returned by the same route without the loss of a man. Feed

for the mules and artillery horses was scarce and frequent foraging expeditions

were sent out under an infantry escort for the purpose of collecting feed, and

often a lively skirmish would take place over a disputed cornfield.



    General Morgan endeavored to provoke Stevenson to give battle, but without

success. His troops often advanced to his camp, surprised and captured his

outposts, but was unable to bring on an engagement. Toward the last of August,

General E. K. Smith moved with the greater part of his army into Kentucky, by

way of Big Creek Gap, and took up a strong position near Big Hill and Richmond.

This sudden and unexpected movement of Smith completely cut Morgan off from his

base of supplies, and anticipating the total exhaustion of his supplies on hand

before communication could be restored, he was compelled to put his troops on

half rations and made preparation to hold out to the last extremity. The Third

Tennessee, Third Kentucky and Munday's cavalry were sent to aid a column

organized for the relief of his troops, but were attacked at London and Big Hill

before being united with the other troops, and after a sharp engagement were

routed and forced to return. In this engagement the Third Tennessee, of our

brigade, met with considerable loss, especially at Big Hill.



    Early in September, W. S. Reynolds, the noted and daring Tennessee scout and

hero of three wars, reached General Morgan's headquarters and informed him that

a well-equipped detachment of the enemy, said to be McAfee's Kentucky cavalry,

would leave Knoxville for Kentucky in a few days by way of Big Creek Gap.

General Spears was ordered to send a detachment of picked men, under a brave and

resolute officer. Four hundred men were selected from the brigade and placed

under the command of Colonel Jos. A. Cooper, Sixth Tennessee Volunteers. Colonel

Cooper moved his command to the north side of the mountain early on the morning

of September 7, in light marching order, and at once moved toward Big Creek Gap

as rapidly as the nature of the country would admit.



    In going this route, Cooper's little army had to cross Log Mountain, which

was exceedingly rough, but by night over half of the distance had been covered.

We were moving over almost the same route taken by Spears' brigade a few weeks

before in the move on Wallace's Cross Roads. Colonel Cooper's command bivouacked

in the mountain, and early the next morning was pushed rapidly toward Big Creek

Gap, which was not reached a moment too soon. Colonel Cooper had scarcely time

to form his men in line of battle before the enemy was reported to be moving

toward the Gap. They were marching along without an advance guard, chatting

together unmindful of the fate that awaited them, and the first intimation they

had of our presence was when their eyes caught sight of a line of blue coats in

line of battle across the road they were moving upon.



    The troops in front opened fire, while the remainder of Cooper's men charged

upon them from all sides, and after a short but spirited engagement the enemy

surrendered. The Confederates were well mounted and splendidly equipped, each

man being armed with a good double-barreled shotgun, revolver and saber. They

were mounted on magnificent horses, while in their ranks were men from different

States. The day was exceedingly warm and most of the men had taken off their

coats to avoid the heat, their bright red shirts making good targets for the boys.



    Out of one hundred and nine men, only one made his escape, and he was said

to have been wounded. In this engagement Colonel McAfee and ninety-five officers

and men were captured, while ten of the enemy were left dead upon the field,

among them an aide-de-camp of General Smith and two captains. Cooper's men also

captured ninety-eight horses besides arms and equipments. There were no

casualties in Colonel Cooper's command, and this was no doubt due to the

admirable manner in which he placed his men. He returned to the Gap with the

prisoners and captured property, having marched eighty miles in four days, over

mountains and hills and roads almost impassable. On our return, General Morgan

issued the following order, which was read to his troops at dress parade.



                       HEADQUARTERS FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES,

                           Cumberland Gap, September 12, 1862. 

GENERAL ORDER NO. 88.

     The commanding General has again the pleasure of announcing to his troops

the achievements of a handful of their comrades at Big Creek Gap, on the 8th

inst. After having blockaded the approaches to Big Creek Gap, Colonel Cooper,

with a force consisting of four hundred men of the Third, Fourth, Fifth and

Sixth Regiments, Tennessee Volunteers, met and routed a force of the enemy's

cavalry, killing several, and captured ninety-five prisoners, eighty-seven

horses and mules, with a quantity of arms and equipments and a rebel mail, which

was being taken to Kentucky on the same day. Colonel Cooper speaks in the

highest terms of the gallantry of his officers and men. The commanding General

congratulates the Tennessee troops on the laurels won by their comrades.

     By command of GENERAL MORGAN.

                         CHAS. O. JOLIN, A. A. G.



     It is with pride and pleasure that the commanding General publishes the

above order. It is a source of pleasure to him to bestow his thanks and praise

upon Colonel Cooper and the brave officers and men of his command, who so

gallantly and conspicuously achieved the victory at Big Creek Gap. The

commanding General gives them all praise and honor.

     By command of GENERAL SPEARS.

                     D. C. TREWHITT, A. A. G.



    In this expedition Captain Lane, of Company D, commanded the detachment from

the Fourth Tennessee. One of his lieutenants was E. J. Cannon, of Company C.

Both fell in battle later on. The other the writer is unable to recall.



    All this time the rations were getting shorter, with no prospects of a fresh

supply, not even from the country. General Morgan kept his troops busy during

the month they were shut up in the Gap in strengthening the fortifications and

foraging. The Confederates were so close that the foraging was limited to the

cornfields near the Gap. The subsistence consisted of half rations of rice and

beans, but our short rations were pieced out by green corn, the government mule

taking the stalks. The supply of grain for the horses and mules was getting

shorter each day, and to hold out much longer they would be unable to haul off

the artillery and wagons. To hold out and wait for starvation to force a

surrender would give the enemy twelve thousand prisoners, twenty-six cannon,

besides thousands of small arms and a large quantity of ammunition.



    We were now realizing the stern realities of war, but the boys were patient

under the circumstances and responded to duty cheerfully. Before leaving the

Gap, and for want of suitable ammunition, the Fourth Tennessee exchanged their

Austrian rifles for big, clumsy Belgian muskets, after which the boys decided

that every man would need a pack-mule to carry his ammunition, so large was the

calibre of this gun.



    On the 19th day of August, Morgan telegraphed Hallick as follows: "This

position shall not be yielded while we have a pound of meat or an ounce of

powder." There were several false alarms while Morgan was shut up in the Gap,

and when they occurred the Fourth Tennessee would grab their guns and jump into

the rifle-pits just above the road. On several occasions the enemy moved up in

sight of the Gap and made some show of attack, but never made the attempt during

our stay. The artillery was well posted and being on such a high elevation the

gunners were able to drop their shells with wonderful precision. When the enemy

evacuated the Gap they threw one of their heavy siege guns over the cliff on the

left of the Gap. General Morgan set a detail of men to work and in a few days

this splendid gun was in position and doing work for "Uncle Sam." It was a

62-pound rifled gun, and owing to its great length the boys called it "Long

Tom." Every time this gun was fired we could hear the huge shell passing through

the air high above our heads, the exploding shell making almost as much noise as

the discharge.



    The future looked gloomy and dark, and no wonder the men became restive and

often remarked to each other, "Will we have to surrender, or retreat?" The men

fully understood the situation and determined to do their duty. Numerous flags

of truce were sent by the enemy, demanding the surrender of the Gap, but were

not even considered by the commander of the United States forces.



Additional Comments:
HISTORY OF THE FIRST REGIMENT OF

Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry



IN THE GREAT WAR OF THE REBELLION,

WITH THE ARMIES OF THE OHIO AND CUMBERLAND,

UNDER GENERALS MORGAN, ROSECRANS,

THOMAS, STANLEY AND WILSON.



1862-1865.



BY



W. R. CARTER, COMPANY C.



ILLUSTRATED.



KNOXVILLE, TENN.:



GAUT-OGDEN CO., PRINTERS AND BINDERS.

1902.



Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1896, by

W. R. CARTER,

in the office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington, D. C.





TO THE SURVIVING MEMBERS OF THE FIRST TENNESSEE CAVALRY; TO THE MEMORY OF OUR

DECEASED COMRADES AND THEIR KINDRED; TO THE MARTYRED PATRIOTS OF EAST TENNESSEE

WHO DIED ON THE GALLOWS AND IN PRISON, AND TO THE LOYAL AND PATRIOTIC PEOPLE WHO

SYMPATHIZED WITH THEM, THIS VOLUME IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED, IN FRATERNITY,

CHARITY AND LOYALTY, BY THE AUTHOR.



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