Cumberland Gap

After the capture of Knoxville. Maj. Gen. Ambrose Burnside (Dept. of the Ohio) sent James M. Shacklford’s mounted brigade ahead to secure Cumberland Gap. On September 7th, Shacklford demanded Frazer surrender the garrison, which Frazer declined. Through September 7-8 Shackford’s force took Frazer’s outer line of rifle pits. The next day, Col. John DeCourcy demanded the garrison surrender. Frazer declined again but called a council of war with his officers.  Frazer ultimately decided to hold out, an later that afternoon, DeCourcy’s force probed the Southern defenses on the northern side. Finally, on September 9, Burnside arrived at the Gap with Col. Samuel A. Gilbert’s brigade. Frazer, hearing Burnside was in the gap, believed the ruse that the Federal forces in front of him were much larger than they were and decided to surrender. About 2,000 men, including Frazer, surrendered, however, 100-300 Confederates escaped through the northern approaches along the Harlan Road and made their way into southwestern Virginia. (Excerpt from American Battlefield Trust)