Excavated Richmond lance head recovered near the Battle of Ringgold Gap, Georgia. This battle was a result of the Confederate defeat and subsequent route at Missionary Ridge on November 25, 1863. Major General Patrick Cleburne was ordered to conduct a rear guard action at Ringgold to cover the withdrawal of the Army of Tennessee. General Joseph "Fightin Joe" Hooker was in command of the Union forces ordered to cut off the Confederate rear guard.The battle commenced at 8 am on the 27th of November. Cleburne's Confederates managed to hold firm to their positions for 5 hours, when he was ordered to fall back. He completed his withdrawal from the gap around 2 pm, burning the bridge on the eastern side of the gap. General Grant ended up returning to Chattanooga while the Army of Tennessee took up defensive positions in northern Georgia. The lance head measure 15" long and 1 3/4' at it's widest point. it has been preserved to prevent any further deterioration. The lance, or pike as it is sometimes called, was intended to be used by Infantry against Cavalry charges. You gotta be some kinda bad to pull that off! This one also came into the shop from the Lee Hadaway collection. Another fantastic excavated Confederate piece of history!

Item # AA656

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