At Allatoona, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 5, 1864 approximately two thousand Confederates commanded by General Samuel Gibbs French attacked Union forces of General John Corse. Corse’s troops held a strategic railroad pass at Allatoona, and the Confederates wanted to regain control of this important position. After an opening cannonade and request to Corse that he surrender his command, the Confederates attacked. After bitter fighting, French retreated only when he was misinformed that Federal reinforcements were advancing to outflank him. In truth, reinforcements were not on the way, despite a message from Sherman’s headquarters urging Corse to hold until reinforced. At this insignificant, yet costly engagement, with both forces totaling approximately two thousand, the Confederates suffered 799 dead, wounded, or missing, with Union troops suffering 706 total casualties.
00000174-b11b-ddc3-a1fc-bfdbb1a20000The Schreiner University Department of History is honoring the sesquicentennial of the American Civil War with a series of short vignettes focusing on events from 1861 through 1865. The Civil War was the most destructive conflict in American history, but it was also one of our most defining moments as a people and as a nation. Let us know what you think about "This Week in the Civil War." E-mail your comments to Dr. John Huddleston at jhuddles@schreiner.edu.Airs: Weekdays at 5:19 a.m., 8:19 a.m., 4:19 p.m. on KTXI and 4:49 a.m., 9:29 p.m. on KSTX.