This pass was long the gateway to the
west. On April 13, 1750, Dr. Thomas
Walker reached the gap, which he
named for the Duke of Cumberland,
son of George II. A few years later
Daniel Boone and numberless pioneers
passed through it on the way to Ken-
tucky. In August, 1863, Cumberland
Gap was captured by a Union army
under Gerneral Ambrose E. Burnside.

During the Civil War, Cumberland
Gap was held alternately by Union
and CSA armies. USA forces under
Gen. George W. Morgan occupied it
June 18 to Sept. 17, 1862. Cut
off from supplies ad surrounded,
Morgan with 9000 men retreated
successfully to Greenup on Ohio
River, 200 miles in 16 days, over
mountain roads, and despite the
harassment of CSA Morgan Raiders.