Battle of Cumberland Gap
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Cumberland Gap
Like the fall of Knoxville, the next important military triumph of the campaign in East Tennessee was bloodless. It was not, however, without significant loss to the Confederate forces still in the area. While Burnside’s main body moved to secure the city a secondary force was sent to invest the critically important Cumberland Gap. On August 21 MG Simon B. Buckner sent BG John W. Frazer, commanding forces in the Gap, an order “to defend Cumberland Gap to the last”.
By September 8th a brigade of Union cavalry, under BG J. M. Shackleford had sealed the southern end of the Gap and called for Frazer to surrender. This request was flatly refused by Frazer who made no effort to maneuver out of the inevitable encirclement, despite orders authorizing him to do so. The Northern end of the valley was sealed by Colonel J. F. DeCourcy and a small division of Federal infantry. Another request for surrender was sent by DeCourcy. Again Frazer declined the offer. Simultaneously, Burnside was personally leading Gilbert’s Brigade of Hascall’s division, XXIII Corps to reinforce the Union forces. The column covered the 60 mile route in 52 hours and moved into position, raising complaints from Frazer that the flag of truce to deliver DeCourcy’s surrender demand was being abused.
Frazer’s position was an unenviable one. Seemingly trapped and lacking confidence in his troops and their leaders Frazer had a difficult decision to make. His request for reinforcements and ammunition went unheeded while the enemy strength had grown. Responding to DeCourcy’s surrender demand Frazer attempted to ascertain the numbers opposing him by naively asking the Union commander to disclose them. Naturally his question went unanswered and again he refused to give up his position. Finally an impatient Burnside sent his own demand for surrender. When Frazer learned that Burnside was present with reinforcements, Buckner had burned the bridge at Loudon, and that help from MG Samuel Jones in Virginia would not be forthcoming he called a council of his commanders. He now believed that he was greatly outnumbered and surrender was the only option. Writing in 1864 as “an act of self-defense and protection of my fair fame” Frazer attempted to justify his decision by stating that he had only “1700 effective men”, minimum artillery ammunition, and no access to water. He also suggested that his decision was nearly unanimously agreed upon by those present at the council. He accepted Burnside’s offer to surrender unconditionally.
Others disagreed with his version of events. Major Bryon McDowell of the 62nd North Carolina, attending the council for his commander who was laid up with typhoid fever, recalled a willingness to fight. He called the surrender a “shame and disgrace” and announced his intention to evade rather than submit to capitulation. He was quickly joined by others who agreed with his position. Under the leadership of Colonel Slemp about 600 men decided to attempt an escape after “sharp words were exchanged” with Frazer. As the flags were struck a local man, familiar with the area, led the evaders out of harm’s way without incident. Despite the exodus the victorious Federals netted 2,026 prisoners,12 pieces of artillery, 200 horses and mules,50 wagons, 160 cattle, 12,000 pounds of bacon, 2000 bushels of wheat, and 15,000 pounds of flour. Jefferson Davis would call Frazer’s action “a shameful abandonment of duty”. Cumberland Gap would remain in Union hands for the remainder of the war.
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