The Abingdon
Virginian gives some further particulars of the surrender of
Cumberland Gap by
Gen. Frazier:
‘
It was surrendered on Wednesday, the 9th, at 3 o'clock P. M. A few hours prior to the raising of the white flag a council of war was held, and the officers were unanimous in holding out and fighting to the last, or at least for 15 days, for which time they had provisions.
The officers and men, with scarcely an exception, believed they could hold the place and were eager to try to do so. We learn from one of the persons who was there that there were 12 pieces of artillery planted, and that the
General would not allow the men to spike the guns.
Lt. O'Conner and his men pitched their guns over a precipice some thousand feet high, and the balance, 8 or 10 in number, fell into the hands of the enemy uninjured.
’
Gen. Frazier was under the impression that the place was invested on the south by
Gen. Burnside and on the north by
Gen. De Corsey, each with a very large force.
Others thought the forces were mere detachments from the commands named, and not very formidable in numbers — certainly not strong enough to take the position, had it been bravely defended.
Our forces in the
Gap were estimated at something like 3,000, about 1,800 of whom were captured, the balance making their escape.
Col. Slemp, of the 64th, escaped with all his
Captains except one, and all his
Lieutenants except three or four, and about 100 privates.
Capt. Wynn was taken.
Lieut.-Col. Pridemore escaped.
Since the above was written, we learn that we had a large amount of bacon and wheat at the
Gap, and 100 beef cattle.
At 11 on Wednesday
Gen. Frazier received a dispatch from
Gen. Jones, directing him to hold the position at all hazards, and that necessary reinforcements and supplies would reach him in due time.
At three that afternoon the white flag was raised, in opposition to the sentiments and wishes of the whole command.
