This Month’s Cover Photo: Allatoona Pass

This month’s cover photo highlights the Battle of Allatoona Pass. The clash at Allatoona Pass, located in modern day Bartow County, Georgia, occurred on October 5, 1864, as a Confederate division under the command of Maj. Gen. Samuel G. French unsuccessfully attacked a Union garrison under the command of Brig. Gen. John M. Corse. Confederate attackers attempted to dislodge Federal troops in fortified positions, created to guard the vital railroad pass.

Occurring in the time between the fall of the city of Atlanta and General John Bell Hood’s invasion of Tennessee, and as a final attempt to force Major General William T. Sherman’s army out of Georgia, the area surrounding Allatoona Pass saw some small, but very vital engagements with bloody outcomes. Allatoona was one of these numerous small, but bloody battles. The Union lost an estimated 706 men, while the Confederate counterpart lost close to 900.

Corse, himself, was wounded during the battle. On October 6, Corse sent a message to Sherman: “I am short a cheek bone and one ear, but am able to whip all hell yet.”