IF YOU GO* What: Battle of Ringgold Gap reenactment.* When: 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5; camps open at 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4.* Where: Clark Park, Robin Road off Alabama Highway 151, Ringgold, Ga.* Admission: $3 adults, $1 children.* Phone: 706-935-3061, 706-935-3061.
Its history may not occupy a key place in Civil War journals, but the Battle of Ringgold Gap matters to a group of Ringgold, Ga., citizens, who will commemorate the event this weekend.
Joseph Brellenthin, director of the Ringgold Downtown Development Authority, says the DDA is co-sponsoring this 150th anniversary reenactment to bring history alive for visitors from across the region. The agency has been working with area reenactor Fred Ufford to coordinate the event.
The reenactment will commemorate "the historic stand of Patrick Cleburne's division of 4,100 battle-hardened Confederates against Joseph Hook's corps of 15,000 soldiers at Ringgold, Georgia," Ufford says. "There will be period sutlers with authentic reproduction items as well as souvenirs."
He says he expects at least 200 reenactors from Hardee's Guard Battalion, Georgia Division, Alabama Division, 52nd Georgia Regiment and Marshall's Artillery.
The Battle of Ringgold Gap occurred on Nov. 27, 1863, as Maj. Gen. Patrick Cleburne staged a rear-guard defense of the retreating Confederate forces after their loss at the Battle of Chattanooga.
"Ringgold really is the last major engagement of the siege of Chattanooga," says Brellenthin, "so for folks from around the area that have enjoyed the different historical events this season, hopefully they'll get a chance to catch this as the finale."
Reenactors will begin setting up camp Friday, Oct. 4, and open their camps to visitors at 1 p.m. The battle reenactment will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, at Clark Park. Parking will open at 11 a.m. Proceeds from ticket sales will go to the Ringgold Downtown Development Authority.