commanding general; Brigadier-General Spears, commanding First Brigade; Brig. Gen. A. Baird, commanding Second Brigade; Brigadier-General Carter, commanding Third Brigade. The brigade of De Courcy [Fourth] absent on detached service.

The proceedings were opened by General Morgan, stating in detail the information in his possession relative to the positions and numbers of the Union and rebel forces in Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee, and as to the probabilities of succor both in force and supplies reaching this post, and of the condition of the force as to supplies of food, clothing, and ammunition.

General Morgan stated that the council was convened to consider the question of remaining here or evacuating the position, and that he should be governed, as far as that question was concerned, by the decision of the council. After a free interchange of opinion it was agreed unanimously that in view of all the circumstances of the case the position should be evacuated.

GEORGE W. MORGAN,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

JAMES G. SPEARS,

Brigadier-General, Commanding First Brigade.

A. BAIRD,

Brigadier-General, Commanding Second Brigade.

S. P. CARTER,

Brigadier-General, Commanding Third Brigade.

William P. CRAIGHILL,

First Lieut.of Engineers, Recorder of the Council.

EXHIBIT E.

HDQRS. THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS, U. S. FORCES, Napoleon, Ark., January 18, 1863.

LORENZO THOMAS,
Adjutant-General, U. S. Army:

SIR: I trust that I shall be pardoned for again requesting the attention of the general-in-chief to the subject of the evacuation of Cumberland Gap. Four months have elapsed since that event, and I have respectfully and patiently remained under the implied censure of the general-in-chief, believing that time and investigation were only necessary to secure the approval of my course. In the communication I had the honor to receive from your department in December, 1862, I was informed that the investigation of the subject had been committed to Major-General Wright, whose report would be final.

My reputation is my only fortune; it belongs to my children, and a sense of duty to them, to the service, and myself induces me to respectfully request to be informed whether General Wright has yet made his report, and whether my conduct in the evacuation of Cumberland Gap meets with the approval or disapproval of the general-in-chief.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

GEORGE W. MORGAN,

Brigadier-General.

Respectfully forwarded through the headquarters of Major-General McClernand.