Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, in partnership with Outdoor Chattanooga, will conduct a free two-hour, historical kayak tour through Ringgold on Saturday, June 17 at 9 a.m.
"As the Confederate Army of Tennessee retreated from Missionary Ridge, the U.S. army pursed them to Ringgold," officials said. "Here the blue-clad soldiers assailed the southerners of General Patrick Cleburne’s Division, tasked with holding them back. One of the U.S. soldiers, Ambrose H.
Haywad of the 28th Pennsylvania Infantry, wrote his father that, 'I experienced more fear & dread at Taylors Ridge than at either Chancellorsville, Antietam or Gettysburgh.'
"Join us to learn about this small, yet brutal, final battle of the1863 Chattanooga Campaign."
The following reservation and paddler requirements must be met prior to tour participation.
Participants should meet Outdoor Chattanooga staff for this tour near the Ringgold High School softball field, off Sparks Street in Ringgold to be shuttled to the launch site.
To make a reservation, visit Outdoor Chattanooga’s online catalog at
http://bit.ly/outdoorchatt or call 423-643-6888.
Paddler requirements:
• Participants must be 15 years of age or older;
• Participants must know how to swim; and
• Experience is helpful but not necessary. Shallow areas may require paddler to frequently get in and out of the watercraft.
Restrooms are not available at the launch points
Outdoor Chattanooga and the National Park Service reserve the right to cancel a trip at any time at their discretion, due to weather or water conditions. Participants will be notified as soon as possible if there is a cancellation. The rain date for this event is Saturday, June 24 at 9 a.m. If you must cancel your reservation for any reason, try to do so with a minimum of 24 hours’ notice. Please call between the hours of 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday – Friday to cancel a reservation.
For more information about programs at Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, contact the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center at 706-866-9241, the Lookout Mountain Battlefield Visitor Center at 423-821-7786, or visit the park website at www.nps.gov/chch.