The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-04-15

Ny artillery was yet up; and this connection
desire that the especial attention OF the commander Of
the department may be called part OF Inc report
which relates 70 the conduct OF the
officers who nad the pontoon bridge charge do not
the OF the officers referred to; was not
furnished With copy OF their Instructions nor did they
report 10 The ponoons were not brought forward 70
point crossing at oil, and the caks and chess
planks only reached their destination between uos and
ten O'Clock Assistance from Chattanooga ten miles.
and the bridge not finished until six O'Clock the
following morning. Tue report OF Lieutenant b O.
wharton OF the engineers, aud temporarily attached TO
my STAR rho was left behind to hasten the completion
Of the bridge. Is herewith transmitted.
No better commentary this culpable negligence Is
operations in the vicinity Of Rinssoid The town
was dissaO. ave miles Al daylight The pur
Geary following, aud Crufs In the Evidences OF the
preciplate fight OF the enemy everywhere appa
rent; caissous wagons ambulances arms and amnuni.
ton abandoned In the hurry and confusion Of
treat After going about two miles came up with the
campo be had occupied during the night, the fires s
before reaching the east fork Of the Chickamauga river
We found the ford and also the bridge the south Of
Ringgold, held by body OF rebel cavalry These dis
charged their arms and quickly gave way before hand
full Of men and were closely pursued into the town
Osterhaus out with bis administers. intensely
alive 70 all that was passing. and pushing o.
Of artillery had just left the rebel camp, weakly
escorted, and ran into the gorge which no could
captured gorge
10 to the east Of Ringgold and were approaching
from the west little firing occurred between our
skrmshers as they entered the town and small parties
Of the enemys cavalry and infantry the latter retiring
IN the direction Of the gap This break IN Taylors
ridge OF sufficient width for the river now, and its
north bank room for an ordinary road and railroad,
when the ridge rises abruptly both sides
hundred cet and from thence running nearly north and
south, continues unbroken for many miles Covering the
entrance TO it Is a small patch Of trees and under
growth. II was represented by citizens friendly
All Rtnpu0
pressed his animals exhausted and his army hopelessy
demoralized In small portion of only had the on
nations, many Of the men having thrown away their
arms still greater number open and violent 10
their denunciatons Of the confederacy In order to gain
time IL the intention of the guard to make
OF the natural advantages the gorge to check
behind the mountain and the trees and the latter
also used to mask couple Of pieces OF artillery. Only
feeble line Of skrmshers appeared 10 sight The only
way to ascertain the enemys strength to feel 81 him
and success, II prompt. would be crowned with
rich harvest Of n.ateriel, without waiting for my are
~ (not yet up though after nine oclock the skrmsh
ers advanced Wood deployed his brigade In Of
them, under OF the embankment OF the railroad.
and brisk musketry fire commenced between tho skir
1Hs nGHr At THE cosGE-rHE FLANK NovsxExr-aEcKlEss
GALLANT RY or TROOPS
At the same time the enemy kept bis artillery busy
at work. Their skrmshers driven 10. aud, a we
had learned the position Of their battery the Thirteenth
WHICH .Se, euna.rs '' could some p psss
and held by that brave regiment Apprehensive
that be might lose bis artillery the enemy advanced with
behind Woods line. when that excellent officer opened
the rebels and drove them into she gorge they leaving
administers reoccupted ne The Thirteenth
Illinois all the time maintaining Its position With sesou
ton and obstinacy While this was going in front Of
the gorge, Osterhaue detached four regiments under
Colonel williamson half mile to the left TO ascend the
ridge and turn the euemys right. Two Of these, the
Seventy sixth Ohio supported by the Fourth Iowa,
were thrown forward and, the enemy appeared
in great force whom they had nearly gained the
Geary ordered four OF his regiments still further
le under Colonel Creighton for the object whers
they also found an overwhelming force them
which the troops exhibited extraordinary daring ana de-
vooD but compelled to yield TO numerical superb
or,ty The nrs took shelter in depression 10 the side
Of the ridge about fifty 10 OF their most ad
vanced position and there remained The other column
was ordered TO resume its position the railroad All
the parties sent forward 70 the enemy position
and strength small hut the attack had been made
with SO much vigor and had succeeded SO well in its OBJ
Palmer aud Crurt and the remaining briyades Of eary
TO deliver general attack, without my artillery
therefore instructions for advance 70 be made.
and for the firing be discontinued except In sedeence
These orders and delivered to every officer
IN command on advance line. Word was received
from General Wood that appearances in his front
dicative Of forward movement the part Of the
enemy, when Ireiands brigade. Of Gearys division was
sent to strengthen them Calhouns brigade OF the same
division, took a well sheltered position behind the
knoll, midway between the depot and the open
Ing to the gap. These officers were also or
dered not 10 attack Ore unless " should
become necessary may here state that the greatest Diff
Guilty experienced Nth commands, and the one
aich causd The solicit,dc check and curb
eir disposition 10 engage regardless Of circumstances and
appeared almost Of consequences This bad also been
the caseton ookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge
Despite my emphatic repeated instructions 20 the
contrary, desaitory Ore kept up the right Of
the line the artillery arrived and you will by
the report OF commanders that under or elevated
ground between my position and our right several small
parties advanced to capture the cnemys battery and
harsss his faux at the gap II is not With dspleasure
refer TO these circumstances 10 evidence OF tho ANNA
Ion nj In thar fnaIf nj
ment for OF that disarmed by an abiding sense OF
their glorious achievements. II has never been my for
TO serve with more jealous and devoted troops
Between twelve and clock the artillery up,
having been able the west fork OF the Chca
Uuder my acting chic, Of artillery, Maor Reynolds in
conjunction With Generals Geary and Osterhaus
ton OF twelve FOUNDER howzers was placed IN position
to bear the enemy front OF right and TO emf
ade the gap: another section OF ten FOUNDER PARROTS
was assigned to silence the enemys battery, and one
section, further to the eft to bear 90 some troops held
In front OF Geary's regiments Al the etime
regiment from Cruts division had been sent around ny
the bridge to the Chickamaura, and possible,
gain the heights OF the ridge the south side OF the
river the possession OF which would give pungug
nearly gained the summit when they were recalled.
The artillery had opened With marked effect,
the enemy's guns were hauled 10 the rear
bis troops seen moving and before one O'Clock he was
IN full retreat williamson brigade followed him
the mountain. while skrmshers from the six,ieth and
One Hundred ana Second New York regiments pursued
him through the gap Efforts were made 10 burn the
railroad bridges but the rebels driven from them,
and the fires extingushed.
PURSUIT ABASDoSEp--cAsr ALrBs-ecBsRccESI
TONS.
During the artillery firing the MAJOR General command.
ing the Division OF the Mississippi arrived and gave drec.
tous for the pursuit TO be discontinued Later tbs
day after three O'Clock received instructions from
him have reconnaissance made IN the direction
Tunnel Hthe enemys line OF retreat-for purposes Of
observation and TO convey 10 the enemy the 'mpres
sion that we were stu AFTER him CROSS bri.
eade despatched on this service. About two
miles out he ran UPON small force OF
rebel cavalry and inaary, and pursued them about
mile and BALI when he fell upon what be supposed 10
be division Of troops posted on the hills commanding
the road The brigade returned at eight O'Clock and
went into bivouac Colonel Gross report this
uection by saying that 1--WE found cassous
wagons deal and dying Of the enemy strewu along
the way, TO . horrible extent"
As some msappreheusion appears with regard
10 Losses In this battle Is proper observe
the reports Of division commanders exhibit OF
sixty I've killed and three hundred and seventy seven
wounded about one hall Of the latter severely that
necessary 10 have them conveyed TO the hospital
for proper treatment They also show OF the enemy
ked and Left the Geld one hnndred thirty Qf