Battle of Allatoona

Dates:

January 26, 1864

Other Names:

None

Location:

Allatoona, Georgia

Key Individuals Involved in the Battle of Allatoona:

Union: Brigadier General John M. Corse
Confederate: Major General Samuel G. French

Outcome:

Union Victory. 1,505 casualties of which 799 were Confederate soldiers.

Overview of the Battle:

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.
Source: CWSAC Battle Summaries