Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-12-07
MORNINGLEADER
THE BATTLE OF RTNGGOLD, GA.


PartiouIars Of the Death Of COlonsls
Creighton and Came.
The following account of the battle at
RInggOld, which closed the four days fight
ing that resulted in the complete route of
Brsgg's Army, and in the early part of which
CoIOnsls Creighton and Crane fell, will prove
interesting to our readers. We are indebted
for the facts to Ssrgsant-MsjOr W. P. Tisdel,
Who participated throughout, and was near
Colonel Creighton when be fell:
About midnight Of the 26th December,
GeAry's Division, having marched during the
day from Mission Ridge, whore they had
been engaged the day before, bivOuacked
about four miles northwest Of Ringgold, in
the woods, without tents or blankets, and
with short supply Of provisions. Here, the
men made the best of their beds upon the cold
ground, the arduous march of the day and
the sighting they had passed through the
two days previous rendering them much ia
tlgusd. Al Eve o'clock on the following
morning (27th) the order was given 10 move,
and the division took up its line of march
toward Ringgold, the route being strswn
with the debris Of Bragg's Army
About eight O'Clock the disision cane in
sight Of RinggOld, bat found it could not
cross chickamsuga Creek at the point de-
sired, and therefore moved around bend in
the creek to a bridge. This brought them
In fall sight Of the operations at Ringgold,
xhsTe skirmishsrs Of the opposing forces
were engaged. Crossing the bridge, the di-
vision entered the town, the 7th in the ad-
vance, and was halted. During this time
the sighting had commenced sharply st Pigeon
Gap, where the right Of the Federal line
rested. About nine O'Clock an order came
for the lat brigade Of Gsary's Division, Col
oasl Creighton commanding, to move to the
lsft and assault Pigeon Mountain, the de-
Elgn being to hank the enemy. The brigade
was Immediately set In motion, and pro-
eosdsd to the foot of the mountain, whore it
vas formed In line Of battle, the 7th on the
light. Colonel Creighton then spoke to his
eommsnd in these words: "BOys, we are
orisrsd to take that hill; want to see
you walk right up it." he thereupon
gave the order to forward, and the brigade
commenced its march up the hill, when a Sc
we're fire was opened upon 1t from the crest.
The brigade, however, pushed on, but had
not gone more than q third Of the distance
zntIl 1t vas found impraetiosble to proceed
further In that direction, Whsreupon Colonel
Creighton obliqusd his command to the left
iR order to get the benefit of q raTine. Reach
lag the ravine the brigade again moved to-
wards the top Of the hill, and when about
tWo-thIrds up we're opened upon by terrih1
euAlading fire, killing and wounding many.
It was at this point that cOlOnels Creighton
and Crane received their death wounds, the
ban which killed Colonel Creighton entering
The left arm Just above the elbow lin the
same spot, strange to say, where it did at the
tine he WAS wounded at Cedar Mountain J
breaking the arm and entering the side and
passing through the body to just beneath the
akin on the right side, whence it was ex-
trsetsd. Colonel Crane vas shot in the head,
the ball entering about two inches above the
right ear.
He died instantly, and his body was lef;
on the field until the artillery came up, when
the enemy being obliged to give up the pO-
sitIon, il was brought of. Colonel GroieA--'
Had anna s-s- -ufuUIes after receiving his
wound, most of the time unconscious. The
ealy words be was heard to utter were, " Oh,
ny dear wife" his body was promptly
taken from the field by members Of the
Seventh regiment.
About this time the brigade had received
orders to fall back, which 1t did in as good
shape IS was possible, and was again reform
Cd in fhs rear Of the forces that had occupied
the railroad cut at the foot Of the mountain.
The infantry firing still continued heavy on
the right, the fight going on some two hours
longer, when the arrival Of artillery forced
the enemy to retire, and tho conflict ceased
about four O'Clock in the afternoon. Subse-
ousntIy the brigade was ordered TO the posi-
ton It occupied before the fight, and is now
probably at obiOkamauga, General Hooker
having fallen bsOk to that position.
The loss Of the brigade in this most san
culinary encounter was very large, the
Seventh sustaining the heaviest loss. All oi
ita officers but one Captain Creigher, Of
Company K,) went down before the Ere Oi
The enemy, either killed or wounded. Ad.
jutant Baxter, while in the advance Of the
regiment, received Eve wounds, which have
probably, ere this, proved fatal. When tht
brigade retired, he was left with Lieutenant
Colonel Crane and some other wounded, il
she hands OF the enemy. They took him
wounded ss he was, over the ridge, stripped
him of his clothing, and carried then
and whatever else valuable he had about hin
away with them. It was in this robbed snt
almost naked state that Adjutant Baxte
EaS found when our forces had driven the reb
els from the ridge, after the final assault. N
hEavsF man ever drew his sword in any cause
ana hls loss to the service cannot but be Sc
q SSrsIy felt.
The following Is correct list Of the of
esFu and q partial list Of the enlisted mel
killed and wounded:
coHPANrA.
lieut. Brown, Of Cleveland, wounded ii
the leg, slight
Corporal collett, wounded.
COMPANY c.
IieutJ Jones, Of fJeffersOnvIle, Madison co.
Rsunded in arm and body, badly.
coMPASTD,
Lieutenant 6 Lockwood, Painesylle, wound
Cd in the face, slight
Lieutenant K H Bohm, Cleveland, wounded
ai in the arm, slight.
Sergeant Wilson, corporal Nash, Joseph Little
ghai) Nike Fitzgerald, wounded.
COMPANY ?.
II g.,.-,oar ry,sr,FC =, a