W.H. Ringgold
by Staff EditorA riverboat worker on the York River in Virginia, Ringgold was forced into service in the Confederate army by virtue of the fact that he was in Virginia when it seceded from the Union. During his service, he helped move people and supplies along the river until the ship he worked on was damaged in a storm. In the wake of the storm, Ringgold and his crewmen were permitted to travel north by way of Maryland and upon reaching Baltimore, he sought out Union officers who sent him to Pinkerton. He provided Pinkerton with details on Confederate defenses in Virginia including the locations of reinforcements, artillery, troops and defenses along the York River. The information supplied by Ringgold provided the basis for the planning of the Peninsular campaign of 1862.
