Chattanooga Campaign
In the fall of 1863, the XII Corps was sent to relieve the besieged Union army at Chattanooga, Tennessee. When Greene was wounded at the Battle of Wauhatchie, Ireland succeeded to command of his brigade. Ireland's brigade served under Brig. Gen. John W. Geary in Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker's attack during the Battle of Lookout Mountain of the Chattanooga Campaign. During the pursuit of the Confederate Army of Tennessee, Ireland's brigade attacked Maj. Gen. Patrick Cleburne's position during the Battle of Ringgold Gap, completing the expulsion of the Confederates into north Georgia for the winter.