The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1903-12-09

gress are due and are hereby rendered
to Major General Patrick r. Cleburne,
and the officers and men under his
command, for the victory by them
over the superior forces of the enemy
at Ringgold Gap in the State Of Geor-
gia, on the 9th day of November,
1863, by which the advance or the
enemy was impeded, our wagon trains
and most of our artillery saved, and @
large number of the enemy killed and
wounded"
"This terrible fight at Ringgold
Gap upon which so much depended,
where Cleburne pushed his small army
between the retreating and advancing
hosts, was the browning glory of his
military career. He met the fire of
the mad pursuing ranks and turned
them back upon the advancing col
umns of their own men. Here the
fighting was olcse and fearful. 'Ths
officers,' says Cieburne, fought with
pistols and with zooks, and 80 close
was the fight that some Of the enemy
were knocked down with the latter
missiles and killed or captured The
wounded, the dying and the dead,
men and animals, were heaped togeth-
er with groans and yells, aid the blood
OF the horses and Of men, OF friend
and foe ran in one common current
down the mountain eide.
"In the retreat Of johnson from
Dalton to Atlanta, CleburDe lowered
like protecting spirit around the re-
ceding ranks Of his countrymen. He
was almost constantly under FIRE.
Nothing but his deuntless spirit, as
strong ss fate itself, could have sus-
tained him or kept alive the aaging
courage of his men. Acting in the
capacity Of general giving orders
with the most consummste skill, end
then again With musket in hand fight
ing like common soldier, it wss the
moral force of his example which ac-
complished what authority alone could
never have done. In this fearful ue.
treat, ell discipline would have been
lost we're it not for the hold which
Cleburne had on his men. His rare
and splendid ekill, his superb courage,
his kindness to the suffering, his care
for the wounded, his great generosity
aud self denial, oft exhibited, were
far more potential than discipline to
bind his devoted followers to him.
':In the battles around Atlanta, he
took conspicuous part, and after the
fall Of Atlanta was selected by Hood
to accompany him on that i'll fated
campaign into Tennessee. Cleburue's 8
division of war worn veterans march
ed under the corps commandership Of
General Chesthsm, and was among the
troops moving on Franklin, November
80, 1864.
"Hood commanded at Franklin with
Schotield in control of the forces Of
the enemy. As the shadows 15Fe
lengthening the remnant Of the great
Army OF Tennessee moved with in
trepid steps across the yet quiet fields
upon the intrenchment Of the enemy.
The approaching night gave increased
glare 10 the sheets Of flame that leap,
ed from the enomy's head logs TO
meet the advan oiog lines Of the Con-
federates. The oute- works were. our.
ried with but listle delay. !. Cleburne's o
divieion moved through locust thiok-
ct, and came first under the fire Of che
Federal entrenchmenea. C!ehu7us'5 8
horse was killed under him, and press.
ing forward on foot he led his men as
wee HE cns.e.. 9: times ia the attack
on the enemy's defenses. His divi-
sion went over the outer works fust,
and then dashed for the inner parapet.
Those who went over it were killed
or captured. Cleburne did not reach
the parapet but fell within twenty
PAGES Of the Union line pierced by
three bullets, while leading charge
at double quick. Thus died Uieburne,
under the muzzle Of the enemy 8
guns, leading his beloved soldiers in
glorious charge. Around him. says
President Davis, was ssrewn the gal
liant men, who, in his desperate as