Cumberland Gap
June the 13th 1862
Dear Father
I seat myself this morning
to drop you a short note to inform you
that I am well We have had a good deal
of excitement here for the last few days
and I have no doubt but there will be
various romers as to the affair so I thought
I would write a line and tell you what
has transpired up to the present as will
as I understand it It was reported here
the other day that the enemy had taken
Chattanooga and there was a strong
force making for a Gap below us and
were aiming to try to cut us off
Some was ordered to prepare three days
rations ready for a march at any time
and expecting to have to evacuate this
place and were so Confident that we
would leave that our sick were all
started on towards Morristown day
before yesterday but night before last
a courier came to our General and inform
ed him that about 8 or 10 thousand yankees
had crossed the mountain and were
marching toward us and that Gen
Bartons brigade from deep creek Gap
was in pursuit of them So about 2500
of our brigade were sent on yesterday
morning to meet them and it was rumor
ed her last night that an engagement
had taken place yesterday evening and
our men had captured nearly all their
artillery but I cant say whether this true
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or not but there will be a fight if
it has not already taken place Three compa
nies of our Regiment started last night
and I suppose some others went with them
The enemy is about 15 miles below here
and if our men succeed in roting them
we will stay here but if they do not we
will have to run from here We saw a
squad of Cavalry on the other side of
the mountain a day or two ago but soon
disappeared I will close for the present
I will try and write again soon and
give you further particulars when I
ascertain them
Your son
S. A. Patton