The genealogical facts concerning the young Captain who met his death on Summit Hill during the “Sanders raid” are interesting, for he was the only living man in whom met lines of descent from two persons distinguished in the earliest history of Tennessee and Knoxville. He was the great grandson of William Blount, Governor of the Territory south of the Ohio, from 1792 to 1796, and also of James White, founder of Knoxville, (the capital of the Territory) and fellow-worker of Blount in the organization of Tennessee. Col. Sanders, after one hour’s passage at arms with the Confederates under the command _pro tem._ of Col. R. C. Trigg, took up his line of march eastward and burned the bridges at Strawberry Plains and Mossy Creek. He captured stores and prisoners at several places, and was finally compelled to withdraw hastily to Kentucky. His enemy pressed him closely on all sides, and to avoid capture, he had to pass the mountain by an unfrequented gap, (Smith’s) through which there was no road, but only a bridle path, to follow. Reports made by the respective parties in the conflict, are appended in a condensed form.[31] When the excitement occasioned by Sanders’s visit had passed away, Knoxville returned to its former quiet condition and remained so for two months. Meanwhile, the United States forces which held Cumberland Gap were in turn compelled by their adversaries to evacuate it, because of insufficient supplies. CHAPTER XIII. GEN. BUCKNER’S RETREAT--A CITIZEN’S ADVENTURE--GEN. BURNSIDE; HIS WELCOME; HIS EXPEDITION--CUMBERLAND GAP; ITS SURRENDER--AN ECCENTRIC FARMER--MILITARY MOVEMENTS IN EAST TENNESSEE--FIGHT AT BLUE SPRINGS--AFFAIRS AT AND NEAR LOUDON--BURNSIDE AND THE PEOPLE. “Now is the winter of our discontent Made glorious summer by this sun of York; And all the clouds that lowered upon our house, In the deep bosom of the ocean buried.” SHAKS.: _Richard III._ Gen. Buckner had been for some time at Knoxville in command of the military department of Kentucky, Middle and East Tennessee, North Alabama and Southwest Virginia. His personal presence was commanding and adapted to fill the popular notion of a grand army officer. The attention of citizens was attracted and their criticism challenged by his imposing appearance, as he rode without escort upon a splendid charger through the principal street. His reputation was that of a true gentleman and a soldier of superior merit. The public esteem had been drawn to him, by his conduct at the fall of Fort Donelson, in comparison with that of his companion-generals, especially Floyd.