Ringgold, Georgia - November 27, 1863

Ringgold, Georgia - November 27, 1863

HDQRS. 6TH, 10TH AND 15TH TEXAS VOLUNTEERS
December 2, 1863.

CAPTAIN: As captain commanding the Sixth, Tenth and Fifteenth Regiments of Texas Volunteers, I have the honor to submit this my report of the part taken by said regiments in the battle of Taylor's Ridge, near Ringgold, Ga., in November 27:

On the night of the 26th, we marched to the bank of the Chickamauga River near Ringgold. Bivouacked until about 2.30 a.m. the 27th, when we were ordered up to strip and prepare for wading the river, which was soon accomplished. After the river had been crossed the men redressed, and, the morning being very cold, were formed in line and arms stacked, and fires built to warm by.

About break of day were ordered to fall in, and commenced the march through the town of Ringgold, taking the railroad in town. After passing town 400 or 500 yards, the brigade filed to the left, marched to the edge of timber, and filed to the left again and halted when the whole had got into line along the timber at the foot of the ridge, where arms were stacked and fires built in rear. The men warmed and rested a short time, when I received an order from brigade commander to detail vedettes from each company, all in charge of a commissioned officer, to remain along the line to watch and report any movement on the part of the enemy, who was said to be not far in our rear. Lieutenant Pearson, of Company D, Sixth Texas, was put in command of the vedettes, with instructions to keep concealed and not to fire. Our main line was then faced by the rear rank, and marched silently up the side of the hill about 100 yards; halted, faced about, making our new line parallel to the first. Company F, under Lieutenant Atkins, Tenth Texas, was ordered to deploy as skirmishers, covering our front in the edge of the woods. We were ordered to keep close and in line, and refrain from firing ?? enemy as near as possible. The enemy's cavalry was reported moving toward the right of our brigade and his infantry as occupying the town.

In a short time firing was heard in front of Colonel Wilkes' (Texas) regiment, on our right, and the enemy's skirmishers were seen advancing; also, forces of the enemy passing round below our left. Firing became general among the skirmishers along the whole line of our brigade.

About the time I received orders to detach the two left companies of the regiment, and order them to report to Major Taylor to reenforce the right of his regiment, which was accordingly done, being Company C, under Lieutenant Flynt, and Company L, under Captain Nutt. Colonel Granbury, commanding brigade, ordered me to prepare the line for a charge, which was done by ordering all the men into their proper places in line and having bayonets fixed. The line of the regiment extending both ways over the turn of the hill, so as to obscure the two flanks from each other, I directed Captain Fisher, of Company G, of the Sixth, to take charge of the left wing, while I would remain with the right and Adjutant Willingham near the center, so that the orders could be better observed and passed. The signal for charge was to come from Capt. J. T. Hearne, assistant adjutant-general, placed in front of our center by Colonel Granbury to watch the movement of the enemy. This position was maintained during the fight, a destructive fire being kept up by our skirmishers, vedettes, and sharp-shooters all the while upon the enemy, who in turn kept up a scattering fire upon us.

After thus holding our position, ready to charge at any moment the enemy should show himself in the proper position for it, for about two hours, we received an order to move off by the left flank silently, which was promptly executed by moving along the side of the hill until we intercepted the railroad, which we then followed.

The officers, without exception, so far as I could observe, performed their duties promptly and well, as also the men, with but rare exceptions. I take this occasion to acknowledge the valuable assistance rendered me by Adjt. J. A. Willingham, of the Tenth Texas, from the time I assumed command of the regiment, and to bear testimony particularly to his courage, and the cool and prompt manner with which he executed all the duties devolving upon him in this action. Our casualties in this action are as follows: None killed, 9 wounded, and 3 missing. All of which is most respectfully submitted.

JNO. R. KENNARD,
Captain, Commanding Regiment

Capt. J. T. HEARNE,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
 

[Official Records of the Rebellion; Series I, Chapter XXXI, Part III, Pages 775-776]