The Portland daily press., 1863-12-07
BY TELEGRAPH
The BottIe al Rinogoid. Ga.
500.

NEW YORK, Dee ).
Inc Herald contains the particulars OF Gen.
Hooker's fight at Ringgold, Nov. u:
On Friday morning ct $50 Gen. Hooker's
column moved up the Rossvllc road toward
kinggod, and became engaged. As we press
cd forward with rapidly and obstinacy, Os-
terhaus' division being in the front, the en-
envy fell back through the town of Ringgold
and toward the gap, being closely followed up,
Supposing the enemy to be in small force
Gen. Osterhaus pressed forward in line OF
battle, with great gallantry. The enemy OPEN
ed scattering musketry fire from the top OF
the ridge, and also brought into action four
pieces of artillery that swept the gap and
threw their shells into the town and our lines.
Notwithstanding this Gen. Osterhaus' men
kept on their course ut quick time up the
slope on both sides of the gap. They had al
most gained the summit when the enemy
showed his strength by delivering terrible
fire from the mountain top, at the same time
succeeding in throwing brigade each on the
right and left of our lines. Our men stood
their ground well, but at last had to slowly re-
treat In consequence of the enemyS superior
strength and position.
The enemy, finding our men falling back,
followed them up with great persistency and
attempted to drive them across the railroad
by making charge, but did not succeed, as
and kept their line unbroken. In this emer-
gency, Gen. Geary's division of the 18th corps,
was ordered into action. Gen. Geary at once
ordered Col. Canby's brigade, commanded at
the time OF this engagement by Col. Creigh-
ton, around OIL our left to advance up the
slope for thS purpose of turning the enemy's
right. The Generals orders were promptly
obeyed. The brigade got within about thirty
eight yards of the crest, the It'll Ohio being in
ft,.,a yfr aHy boi eli he. LII
even got on the crest when the enemy, by
quick movement, massed a superior force
against it and succeeded in delivering a cross
fire, successfully enlading their line.
The enemy's fire was so heavy and rapid
that it was totally impossible for SO small
force to withstand it any length of time with
ont being almost annihilated. Still they stood
their ground nobly and firmly, when Gen:
Geary seeing il was OF no use for them to re-
main any longer under such heavy fire, they
were withdrawn by his orders.
In this advance the 7th Ohio lost all its of
Gcers, the regiment coming out Of this action
under command of a leutenent. Col. Creigh-
ton was killed in leading the advance. Lieut.
Col Crane was also killed.
The enemy continuing to press our lines,
two sections Of Knapps Pennsylvania battery
were got into position and opened rapid fire
on the right and left OF the rebel line At
this time the I'd and Sd brigades of Geary's
division were ordered up. Our line then be-
came extended in view of making grand as
sault. The decisive moment came at last
The grand movement was made. Slowly our
men advanced and slowly the retels retired
toward the gap and up the mountain slopes
Our artillery kept up steady fire, almost i'm
mediately silencing that of the enemy. Gen.
Osterhaus' division occupied the centre. One
brigade of Geary's was on the extreme left
After much patient effort, we outflanked the
rebels on the right aud left and gained the
hills and drove the remaining rebels from the
gap and held the latter position. The rebels
then retreated in the most disorderly manner.
They did not all get away as we took some
800 prisoners.
1t also appears that on the 9th, after Gen.
Sherman made junction with Gen Palmer
at Greysyillc, the llth Army Corps, under
Gen. Howard, was sent Off to the left to take
Parker's gap, this being situated on the enc
my's right, and the second gap from Ringgold's
gap, on the same ridge. The position was
taken and occupied without opposition, the
encmy's scouting parties falling back without
firing. Thus it Is that during the battle of
Ringgod, the | lth corps was in a position al
most In the enemy's rear. At any rate, we
could at any time have turned the enemys
right flank.
A portion of the lith corps remained 10
hold Parker's Gap and other points, while
Smiths brigade of Stenwhr's division passed
on to the line of the Dalton and Cleveland
railroad, reaching Red Clay station about
dark. Gen. Smiths men destroyed about two
miles of the track, but before doing so took
some twenty prisoners, captured train of
three ears and the greater portion OF the force
left TO guard it, and Lieutenant of the rebel
Gen. Kellys staff, with dispatches to Gen.
Bragg. After effectually destroying the length
OF track specified, Smith returned and joined
The main command.
Our total loss in the engagement at Ring
gold will reach 500, rank and file, killed and
wounded.
The writer concludes as follows: Because
We have thus far been so successful, the peo-
pie at home must not become impatient and
start the cry "Onward 10 Atlanta" II is true
that Bragg's army has been defeated - badly
so-almost routed-certain!y much dispirited
and positively much demoralized but still II
possesses enough organization and physical
force to withstand another attack. Therefore
ii becomes us TO be cautious, TO move forward
scientifically and make the next battle rest on
no other basis. The people may rest certain
that when Gen. Grant thinks that he is sure
Of success, he will 80 ahead.