Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 09.djvu/74

Rh promptness and great gallantry. I was deprived of the valuable services of Captain O. S. Palmer, until near the close of the engagement, he being with the Sixteenth Alabama regiment.

For the performance of this regiment please see report of Major Ashford. Respectfully submitted, , Brigadier-General.

,, Dec. 9, 1863.

Colonel,—On the retreat of the Army of Tennessee, from Missionary Ridge, Tennessee, to Ringgold, Ga., my division covered the retreat of Hardee's corps, arriving safely on the west bank of the East ChicamaugaChickamauga [sic] river at 10 o'clock, P.M., on the 26th November. At this point the river had to be forded. It was nearly waist deep and the night was freezing cold. I therefore determined to postpone crossing until the morning, and bivouaced on the hills near by.

At 3 o'clock, A. M., on the 29th, I received the following order, viz: "General,—The general desires that you will take strong position in the gorge of the mountain and attempt to check pursuit of enemy. He must be punished until our trains and the rear of our troops get well advanced.

"The reports from the rear are meagre, and the general is not thoroughly advised of the state of things there. Will you be good enough to report fully.

"Respectfully, (Signed),", "A. A. General." "Major-General Cleburne."

Leaving staff officers to conduct the troops across the river to the position designated, I went forward myself to examine the ground and form a plan for its defense.

The town of Ringgold, a place of two or three thousand inhabitants, stands on a plain between the East ChicamaugaChickamauga [sic] river and the range of hills known as Taylor's Ridge. It is on the Western and Atlantic railroad, about twenty miles southeast of Chattanooga. Taylor's Ridge, which rises up immediately back of the town, runs in a northerly and southerly direction. Opposite the town the ridge is intersected by a