Battle of Allatoona

Other Names: None

Location: Bartow County, Georgia

Campaign: Franklin-Nashville Campaign (1864)

Date: October 5, 1864

Principal Commanders: Brig. Gen. John M. Corse [US]; Maj. Gen. Samuel G. French [CS]

Forces Engaged: One brigade (1,944 men) [US]; one division (approx. 2,000 men) [CS]

Casualties and losses:  1,505 total (US 706; CS 799)

Result(s): Union victory

Brief Description:

After the fall of Atlanta, Hood moved northward to threaten the Western & Atlantic Railroad, Sherman's supply line. He attacked a number of minor garrisons and damaged track during October 2-4. Sherman sent reinforcements-John M. Corse's brigade-to Allatoona just before the Rebels attacked there. Maj. Gen. Samuel G. French's Confederate division arrived near Allatoona at sunrise on the 5th. After demanding a surrender and receiving a negative reply, French attacked. The Union outer line survived a sustained two and a half hour attack, but then fell back and regrouped in an earthen "Star" fort of Allatoona Pass. French repeatedly attacked, but the fort held. The Rebels began to run out of ammunition, and reports of arriving Union reinforcements influenced them to move off and rejoin Hood's force. Allatoona was a relatively small, but bloody battle with high percentages of casualties, nonetheless, in his autobiography, General and President U.S. Grant praised the stand made by Corse and his men.