Allatoona Pass

October 5, 1864

Estimated casualties: 1,505 (Union: 706, Confederates 799)

Principal Commanders:

Maj. Gen. Samuel G. French [CS]

Brig. Gen. John M. Corse [US]

Stinging from the loss of Atlanta, Hood decides to attack William Tecumseh Sherman's supply line, the Western and Atlantic Railroad. Afraid that the Confederate army is moving toward Rome Sherman orders Brig. General John Corse to defend the city. After Hood crosses the Chattahoochee River and tears up track from Big Shanty to Acworth Sherman realizes the Rebels intend an attack on the railway pass at Allatoona. The stores at the pass are filled with much needed rations and Sherman has left minimal support at the site because he knew the pass would be easily held. When advancing on Atlanta in the spring of 1864, Sherman avoided this battle by swinging to the west, fighting at Dallas, New Hope Church, and Pickett's Mill.

Using a complex signaling system, Sherman orders Corse to move troops from Rome to the pass. By the time Hood's men arrive Corse has reworked three lines of entrenchments, two sets of breastworks on the outer ridge of the mountain, built by Confederates earlier in the year, the other a star fort at the top of the mountain above the pass, built by occupying Union forces in June. The mission of re-capturing Allatoona Pass falls upon CSA Gen. Samuel French. Ironically, French foretells the outcome of the battle in his demand for surrender, referring to it as "...a needless effusion of blood...". In the initial attack, the rebels overrun the outer entrenchments that had been softened up by two hours of artillery bombardment. Corse withdraws to the star fort and the battle continues.

In spite of losing a third of his men and having been shot in the face, Corse holds the fort. Repeated assaults by the rebel forces prove fruitless. French, short on ammunition and fearing Union reinforcements, withdraws and continues northward. Sherman, who during the fighting had signaled "Hold the fort, for we are coming." had done so as a ruse. No men leave his stronghold at Kennesaw Mountain during the battle. With just over 5,300 men engaging in battle, and 1,505 casualties, this is the bloodiest battlefield for numbers engaged, according to General Sherman.