From the battle-ground in North Georgia.
We give below such information as we can obtain of the great battles of Saturday and Sunday, at Ringgold, from the Atlanta papers of Monday, the 21st:The manœuvering that has been going on since the enemy crossed the river and our forces fell back from East Tennessee and the river, in front of Dalton and Rome, and extending west to the State line, resulted in forcing back the columns sent out by Rosecrans towards Dalton, Rome, and up Wills's valley, to his main body, which occupied a line some miles south of the river, the left north of Ringgold.
Gen. Bragg's right was in the vicinity of Ringgold, under Longstreet. Gen. Hill commanded the centre, and Gen. Polk the left. Gen. Buckner's corps also formed part of the left.
Gen. Bragg determined to bring on a general engagement, and this determination was announced to the army in a general order, which was published on Saturday. His troops shared his spirit to the most enthusiastic degree, and, we are informed, endured the fatigue necessary in the most cheerful manner.
On Saturday morning the left, under Gens. Polk and Buckner, attacked the enemy's right and drove them back some four miles, when evening came on and the pursuit was stopped. At the same time Gen. Walker's division made an attack on the enemy's right centre and made some impression.
A terrible struggle took place on Pea Vine creek, where Rosecrans held a strong position. A charge was made and he was forced to fall back, our troops occupying the heights. Our loss in this was about 1500. The position secured is an important one.
The attack on the enemy's lines was made early Saturday morning, about eight miles northwest of Ringgold, on this side the Chickamauga, on Frazier's farm.
We took on Saturday eight pieces of artillery, many small arms, and a number of prisoners — how many, is not yet known.
Polk's corps lost about 1600 in Saturday's battle. Brig.-Gen. Preston Smith, long known as the Colonel of the 154th regiment Tennessee volunteers, was killed. Of the same regiment Capt. John S. Donelson, son of Andrew J. Donelson, was killed, and Capt. St. Clair Morgan, of Nashville.
We are informed that Avery's battalion of cavalry was captured by the enemy.
Buckner's division was engaged in the fiercest of the fight on Saturday. Brigadier Gen. Preston's command of Virginians, of this division, lost heavily. Gen. Preston was wounded, whether dangerous or not we are unadvised.
On Sunday the engagement became general and lasted all day. The cannonading was represented by those who heard it as being terrific. Our two wings drove those of the enemy back several miles, but the centre of each army remained firm on Sunday at night.
The losses upon both sides have been very heavy. It is impossible to get anything definite as to the totals, but accounts represent them as enormous. Our loss, up to Sunday evening, has been estimated by some gentlemen as high as 5,000 killed and wounded, and all concur in saying that the enemy's was much larger.
We have to mourn the loss of some of our most distinguished officers. Gen. Preston Smith is certainly killed. Gens. Walthall, Watford and Preston are reported killed.--Gen. Hood is reported to have lost a leg. Gen. Gregg received a severe, but not dangerous wound, and has been brought to Marietta.
We have taken two or three thousand prisoners.
All the men were represented on Sunday evening as being excited to the highest degree of enthusiasm, feeling that on this battle may rest the issue, not of the independence of our Confederacy, but of a prolongation of the war.
Brig.-Gen. Clayton is said to be mortally wounded.
Among the Federal prisoners are two Major Generals and one Brigadier.
Gen. Gregg was wounded in the head — the ball entering below the left ear and coming out under the left eye; his wound is not considered necessarily fatal. Gen. Cleburne, of Arkansas, is also reported wounded.
It is supposed that by our successful charge on Pea Vince creek the enemy's supplies from Chattanooga have been cut off.
The enemy is evidently aware that we have been reinforced, and it is supposed that a portion of Grant's army is moving up also to join Rosecrans, but of this no positive information has been received.
It was expected that the gallant General Longstreet would open the ball again Monday morning by attacking the enemy's centre with a large reinforcement of fresh troops.
Burnside will undoubtedly try to effect a junction with Rosecrans, but it is believed that a large force in his rear attention effectuating made in Atlanta,
Preparation, for the accommodation of Federal prisoners, who are said to be now on the way thither.
Persons who had gone into Chattanooga come out with the information that the enemy had thrown up no fortifications there. They are again reported to be retreating across the river at a point where Lookout Mountain intervenes between them and our army.
The Federals who were captured talked very confidently of subjugating us, and boasted of what they intended to do when they arrived in Atlanta!
The postmaster at Tunnel Hill, Wm. Whitten, and his son Asbury, who have been suspected of Union proclivities, very accommodatingly turned over the mail to the enemy on their arrival in that town. Let these chaps be looked after.
