Before leaving Kentucky, Gen. Burnside had organized a division of new troops under Col. De Courcy, to move down upon the north side of Cumberland Gap, and if possible, occupy that position. On his own arrival at Knoxville, he learned that the Gap was still occupied by the enemy. He directed Gen. Shackelford to proceed to its south side, and if within his power, capture the garrison. Gen. Shackelford on arriving there, communicated with Col. De Courcy on the north side by courier, and ascertained that the position was too strong to be carried by the small force under his command. Gen. Burnside, upon being informed of this fact, started at once for the Gap, with Col. Gilbert’s brigade, and after a march of 60 miles in 53 hours, reached it on September 9th. Dispositions were made to assault the place, but before the next morning, he demanded of Col. Frazer, who was in command of the garrison, that he should surrender. The demand was complied with, and nearly 2,500 men were delivered over to the United States, together with all the material and armament of the fort. Shackelford’s and Gilbert’s brigades returned to Knoxville, and Col. De Courcy’s division (then under command of Col. Lemert) was left as a garrison at the Gap. As the Commander-in-chief was drawing nigh to that place on the 9th, with Gilbert’s brigade, he was given an illustration, somewhat extravagant in its manner, of the joy inspired among the loyal people of East Tennessee by his coming, and of the respectful affection they had for him personally. An eccentric farmer, son of a learned judge at Knoxville, resided in the autumn of 1863, near the Gap. Amusing stories are yet current of his unaffected oddities. He was a man of much simplicity of character, of high, impulsive temper, of great frankness, a warm and steadfast friend, a strong hater, quick to speak his mind, and in his earlier mature years, a ready fighter. It is related of him, that having once quarreled with a neighbor who bore the not uncommon name of John Smith, he contracted sometime afterwards a bodily illness that brought him nigh to death’s door. Some of his friends advised, in view of the probability that his end was at hand, that he should be reconciled with his enemy. To this he consented, and accordingly John Smith was sent for, and without delay, arrived. The two adversaries “made friends”--shook hands and parted in strong doubt of another meeting between them on earth. But the sick man reflected that he might get well, and in his great candor, he called out from the bed to his former enemy, who was about leaving the room: “I say. Smith! you understand. This is all very well if I die; but if I get well, it goes for nothing!”