The Battle of Allatoona, also known as Allatoona Pass, was a battle during the American Civil War on October 5, 1864.

After the fall of Atlanta, John Bell Hood moved the Confederate Army of Tennessee northward to threaten the Western and Atlantic Railroad, William T. Sherman’s supply line. Along the way he attacked a number of minor garrisons and damaged track during October 2-4. Sherman sent a reinforcement brigade to Allatonna commanded by General John M. Corse before the southern army arrived. The saying "hold the fort" originated from Sherman's instructions to General Corse prior to the battle.

Major General 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 line survived a sustained two and a half hour attack, but then fell back and regrouped in an earthen star fort on top of Allatoona Pass. General French repeatedly attacked the position, but the fort held. The Rebels began to run low on ammunition, and reports of arriving Union reinforcements influenced them to move off and rejoin Hood’s force.

See also

• Wikiquote:William Tecumseh Sherman

Sources

• U.S. National Park Service CWSAC Battle Summaries