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953 Series I Volume XVI-I Serial 22 - Morgan's First Kentucky Raid, Perryville Campaign Part I

Page 953 Chapter XXVIII. SKIRMISH AT ROGER'S GAP,TENN.

It is estimated that the enemy's force at Stevenson was 1,000 infantry (probably one regiment), a squadron of cavalry, and five pieces of artillery; our force was about 900; and the enemy was strongly intrenched. No detailed report of the affair has yet been received.

I regret the delay in sending forward the Twenty-fifth Tennessee as directed by the general. It will only be a delay of a day, or perhaps two, however, as I expect the regiment up to-night or

to-morrow.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

SAM. JONES,

Major-General.

Lieutenant Colonel GEORGE G. GRANER, A. A. G.,&c.

AUGUST 31, 1862.-Skirmish at Roger's Gap, Tenn.

REPORTS.


No. 1.-Brigadier General George W. Morgan, U. S. Army.


No. 2.-Major General J. P. McCown, C. S. Army.


No. 1.

Report of Brigadier General George W. Morgan, U. S. Army.

CUMBERLAND GAP, TENN., August 31, Via Louisville, Ky.,

September 14, 1862.

At noon on the 29th I sent 60 picked infantry, under Captain Mayers and Lieutenant Rogers, First Tennessee, by a circuitous route through the mountains to Roger's Gap, with instructions to harass the enemy, and, if possible, intercept dispatches. This morning at daylight Captain Mayers surprised Captain Rhodes' company of rebel cavalry on the southern side of Rogers' Gap. He killed 6, wounded 6 or 8, and captured 19, among the whom is Captain Rhodes, a renegade Ohioan; also 30 horses and equipments, including carbines,&c. Captain Mayers and party reached Cumberland Gap at 6 o'clock p.m. to-day. This brave little and performed a march of 60 miles, over a route almost impracticable, in fifty hours, and surprised and captured one of the enemy's outposts, and returned to this place without the loss of a single man. A portion of the enemy were absent on a scout; of those present one lieutenant escaped, and he only clothed in his shirt. This morning I sent Lieutenant Colonel [Joel W.] Ridgell, with 275 men, to join Garrard, Third Kentucky, en route to General Wallace. The forces of the enemy under General Smith, about 25,000 strong, have gone forward from Cumberland Ford and Barboursville toward Lexington. The condition of his army is desperate; his whole force is doomed. Sixty of his men will be in to-morrow morning to surrender. Those who have arrived represent that a considerable portion of the conscripts are for the Union. Were it not for the immense importance of this stronghold I would advance with two brigades by rapid marches to gain Smith's rear; but were we to lose the Gat it would cost a sea of blood to retake it. Colonel Garrard has fought and whipped the enemy near McKee

to-day. I established a battery on Poor Valley Ridge, 1 mile south of the Gap, and shelled the enemy's camp, indicated by the their fires, at several points. We could see the rebels scatter. The Knoxville Register of the 27th


Page 953 Chapter XXVIII. SKIRMISH AT ROGER'S GAP,TENN.