For the South, the Gap was a way both to block the Union from
making inroads into the heart of the Confederacy and an opening
into the border state of Kentucky, a state with many Confederate
sympathizers that might be persuaded to join the cause. For the
Union, the Gap was literally a “Gateway” into eastern Tennessee,
and a way to divide the Confederacy right down the middle. And
both sides were well aware of the importance of controlling the
railroad from Virginia to Tennessee. Initially held by the
Kentucky home guard of the Yellow Creek Valley, it wasn’t long
before Confederate General Felix K. Zollicoffer brushed them
aside and took up residence in the Gap in September of 1861. In
June of 1862, Union General George Morgan was able to retake the
Gap, sending troops through mountain passes to the east in order
to surround the Confederates and force them out. Just three
months later, however, Confederate General Kirby Smith used this
same flanking maneuver to drive out Morgan and his men, who left
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