Battle of Ringgold Gap facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Ringgold Gap |
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| Part of the American Civil War | |||||||
 Sketch of the Battle of Ringgold Gap |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 United States (Union) |
 CSA (Confederacy) |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Joseph Hooker | Patrick Cleburne | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 16,000 | 4,200 | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 509 killed and wounded | 20 killed, 201 wounded | ||||||
The Battle of Ringgold Gap was a fight during the American Civil War. It happened on November 27, 1863, near Ringgold, Georgia. This battle was between the Confederate and Union armies. It took place right after the Confederates lost badly at the Battle of Missionary Ridge.
After that big loss, Confederate General Braxton Bragg needed to move his cannons and supply wagons to safety. He sent Major General Patrick Cleburne and his 4,200 soldiers to defend a mountain pass called Ringgold Gap. This pass was important for the Confederate Army of Tennessee to retreat safely. The battle lasted about five hours. Cleburne's smaller Confederate force won, allowing their army to escape.
Contents
Why the Battle Happened
After losing the Battle of Missionary Ridge on November 25, the Confederate Army of Tennessee had to retreat. They moved south into northwest Georgia. General Bragg needed time for his heavy cannons and supply wagons to get through the Ringgold Gap. This gap was a narrow mountain pass.
Bragg chose Major General Patrick Cleburne to protect the gap. Cleburne had about 4,157 men. He wasn't sure if his small group could hold off the Union army. But Bragg didn't send any more troops to help him. Cleburne and his men reached Ringgold around 10:00 p.m. on November 26. They set up camp in the Ringgold Gap.
Meanwhile, the Union army was chasing the Confederates. Union commander Ulysses S. Grant ordered his troops to follow. General Joseph Hooker led a large group of Union soldiers. They were trying to cut off the Confederate retreat. However, the Confederates had burned bridges over the Chickamauga Creek. This slowed the Union forces down. Hooker's troops finally stopped about two and a half miles from the Confederates late on November 26.
Setting Up for Battle
When Cleburne's Confederate army arrived at Ringgold Gap, he placed his soldiers in smart positions. He put men on Taylor's Ridge, on White Oak Mountain, and inside the gap itself.
On Taylor's Ridge to the south, three Alabama groups hid in the woods. Other troops guarded the pass there. Further north, a Texas group defended against attacks from White Oak Mountain. Inside Ringgold Gap, four Arkansas groups were led by Brigadier General Daniel Govan. Cleburne also placed two cannons at the entrance of the gap.
Around 8:00 a.m. on November 27, Union General Hooker sent out a scouting team. They soon found Cleburne's lookouts. The lookouts quickly raced back to warn Cleburne that the Union army was coming. The battle was about to begin.
The Armies Involved
Union Forces
General Joseph Hooker led the Union forces at Ringgold Gap. His army included soldiers from several different corps (large groups of soldiers).
- The Second Division of the XII Corps, led by Brigadier General John Geary.
* This included soldiers from Ohio and Pennsylvania.
- The First Division of the XV Corps, led by Brigadier General Peter Osterhaus.
* This included soldiers from Illinois, Missouri, and Ohio.
Confederate Forces
Major General Patrick Cleburne led the Confederate forces. His division was part of General Braxton Bragg's Army of Tennessee.
- Govan's Brigade, made up of eight Arkansas groups.
- Lowrey's Brigade, with soldiers from Alabama and Tennessee.
- Polk's Brigade, with soldiers from Arkansas and Tennessee.
- Granbury's Brigade, with soldiers from Texas.
- An artillery unit with cannons.
The Battle Begins
From his lookout spot, General Hooker saw only a small line of Confederate soldiers. He decided to send his troops into the gap without waiting for his cannons. General Charles Woods's Union brigade entered the gap first. But they were quickly pushed back by Granbury's Confederate unit. The Confederates waited until the Union line was very close, about 50 yards away, before firing. Cleburne's men fired three shots from their hidden cannons, and the rest of the Confederates began shooting.
The Union soldiers tried to find cover in nearby buildings. But they were still hit by heavy gunfire from Taylor's Ridge and cannon fire from inside the gap. To fight back, the Union sent more troops to attack the Confederates on Taylor's Ridge. However, the first shots from the Confederates caused confusion. The Union forces couldn't move forward for the rest of the battle.
Around 10:40 a.m., another Union division arrived. They attacked the Confederate right side and also tried to push into the gap. But both groups were stopped by strong Confederate fire from Taylor's Ridge and White Oak Mountain. Another Union brigade tried to support their comrades on White Oak Mountain. But they were also forced back. A Union commander named William Creighton was killed trying to get his men to fight on.
Cleburne held his position for five hours. Around 12:00 p.m., he received a message from General Bragg. Bragg told him that the main Confederate army and their wagons had safely passed through the gap. Cleburne could now retreat. He left some soldiers behind to make it look like they were still fighting. This hid his real plan to pull back. Around 2:00 p.m., Cleburne's men left the gap and burned the bridge behind them.
Union General Grant arrived near the gap later. Seeing his army spread out and the Confederates gone, he decided to return to Chattanooga. The Union did not chase the Confederates any further.
What Happened After
The Battle of Ringgold Gap was a victory for the Confederates. Cleburne's forces had 20 soldiers killed and 201 wounded. The Union army had more losses, with 509 soldiers killed and wounded.
Even though some people criticized Union General Hooker for how he handled the battle, General Grant decided to keep him in command for a while longer.
Battlefield Today
Today, there is a small park at Ringgold Gap that remembers the battle. A monument for the New York soldiers who fought there stands near Tiger Creek. There is also a monument honoring Major General Patrick Cleburne and his brave men in the park. The old Western and Atlantic Depot (Ringgold Depot) nearby still shows marks from the cannon fire during the battle. The Ringgold Gap Battlefield was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2011.
Images for kids
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Map of Ringgold Gap Battlefield core and study areas by the American Battlefield Protection Program
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Battle of Ringgold, Ga., Nov. 26, 1863 LCCN2004660163
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The Jobe house. Ringgold, Ga. LCCN2004660516
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New York Monument
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Cleburne's statue at Ringgold Gap, Georgia by sculptor Ron Tunison.
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Ringgold Depot, Ringgold (Catoosa County, Georgia)
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