520 Nortu Carorina Troops, 1861-65.

kee scouting party. His false and slanderous statement is
found on page 611, Official Records Union and Confederate
Armies, Vol. 51.

The men were paroled, and as soon as exchanged, which
was but a short time, they were ordered to Cumberland Gap,
and composed a part of the garrison of the Gap. In Feb-
ruary, 1863, the balance of the regiment was stationed at
Greenville, Tenn., and in March and April were in General
A. E. Jackson’s Brigade at Strawberry Plains. At the end
of July, the regiment was in Gracie’s Brigade at Cumberland
Gap.

General Gracie was in command at the Gap when the reg-
iment reached that point, but did not remain but a short time,
being ordered away, and was succeeded by General Frazer.

SURRENDER OF CUMBERLAND GAP.

General John W. Frazer was in command at Cumberland
Gap when the surrender of that stronghold occurred 9 Sep-
tember, 1863. The force we had at the Gap, was, of course,
insignificant when compared with the Federal forces which
approached the Gap on both sides, when the siege began, but
the surrender of the Confederate forces there was a shamg
and disgrace, when the situation is fully understood.
The approaches 1o the Gap were of such character that it
would have been impossible for any number of men to have
captured the post by force. The opportunity of General
Frazer to have evacuated the Gap and saved his command
from a long imprisonment and death (as was the case with
many of them) was open, and nothing but treachery, or cow-
ardice, or it may be both, could have led to the unconditional
surrender of this, the strongest natural position in the Con-
federate States, and with it, 2,026 prisoners, 12 pieces of ar-
tillery, and the stores of ammunition and provision.

The writer has read, over and over again, the report of the
surrender of Cumberland Gap, as given by General Frazer,
and wondered if an opportunity would ever be offered for the
vindication of our men at the Gap, from the miserable slan-
ders hurled against them by Frazer in his attempt to shield
himself from public censure. The report of this surrender

Stxty-Szconp REGIMENT. 521

made by him in Volume 51, pages 604, et seq, is to my own
personal knowledge false in every essential particular, and
does the brave men who composed the garrison at the Gap
the greatest wrong. It should be corrected and handed down
in history, just as it occurred, and let the blame rest where
it rightfully belongs. I think we have reached the point
that when known facts are given to the public for considera-
tion and approval, or rejection, public sentiment will invaria-
bly reach a just conclusion.

It would, even at this late day, be exceedingly difficult for
General Frazer to convince the survivors of the Cumber-
land Gap disaster, that he did not surrender for a money con-
sideration.

This regiment when it reached the Gap, had about 800
men for duty. There were a few deserters from this regi-
ment, but not more than was common from nearly all regi-
ments. Desertions were by men who returned to their homes.
They did not go to the enemy.

Shortly after we reached the Gap, Colonel Love left the
regiment on account of extreme bad health, from which he
never recovered, but ultimately died as has been stated. It
was not long thereafter until Lieutenant-Colonel Clayton was
taken sick of typhoid fever, and was removed to the hospital
at Greenville, Tenn., and was away from the Gap when the
siege began, and when the command was surrendered. The
siege of Cumberland Gap began 7 September, 1863. Gen-
eral DeCourey commanded the Federal forces on the Ken-
tucky side and General Shackelford on the south or Tennes-
see side. It was in reality Burnside’s army on the south side
of the Gap. The writer was the only field officer of the
Sixty-second Regiment there at the time. I was placed, with
almost my entire regiment, out on the Harlan county road on
picket duty. This road overlooked the valley leading down
what was then, and is I think still, known as Yellow creek.
Skirmishing and picket firing was continuous out on this
road, after the siege began, and not unfrequently the enemy
from the Kentucky side assaulted our position along this
road in strong force, and made repeated determined efforts
to drive us from our position. It affords me pleasure now

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