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There exists a number of detailed accounts of the Battle of Tazewell. As with all such events, the accounts differ, somewhat, and certain facts told by each are inconsistent. However, by reading each account one can eventually gain a rather clear picture of the actions and movements that occurred that warm summer day, 15 miles south of Cumberland Gap.
The following is a brief account of the Battle of Tazewell as reported by Col. John F. DeCourcey, 16th Ohio Volunteer Infantry and commander of the 26th Brigade at Tazewell, Tennessee:
On the 6th, however, my advance posts, composed of the Sixteenth Ohio, were very suddenly attacked by a very superior force, which I afterward discovered was under the command of General Stevenson, and which I have every reason to believe, from the reports of the enemy stud from our own officers, prisoners in their hands, was composed of about 90,000 men, with a large amount of artillery. This force we held in check on the 6th of August from 11 o'clock a.m. till half past 3 p.m., when they retreated from my front, and merely continued an artillery fire until 6 in the evening, when I made my return to the Gap unmolested or without even an attempt being made by the enemy to follow me.
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