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)

A Blue and Gray Trail site

Few, if any Civil War battle sites contain as many original landmarks, earthworks, and undisturbed physical features as can be witnessed at Allatoona today. The battle that occurred here on Oct. 5, 1864 is an introduction to the ill-fated plans of John Bell Hood, the aggressive but mediocre general who assumed command of the Confederate Army during the fall of Atlanta.

Allatoona Pass, shortly after the battle. Note the Clayton (now Mooney) House to the left of the picture (still standing). Also the artillery stables at the top of the hill on right. Part of the fort can been seen on the top of the ridge to the left of the pass.

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 could 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 Allatoona. 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.

After the Battle of Allatoona Pass.

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. While the battlefield today is on federal land a movement is underway to create a new Georgia State Park that would fully encompass the battlefield and protect the area.

A couple of notes: The Mooney house, across the street from the parking lot for the park is in private hands, but was used as a field hospital during the battle. Bullet holes in the walls from the battle and blood on the floor can still be seen.

The tactical importance of Allatoona Pass is not visible from the site. Lake Allatoona, which lies to the north and east of the battlefield tends to diminish the height of pass. Also, the pass is the end of a string of smaller mountains that ends further south.

An in depth look at the fighting at Allatoona

How to get there:

I-75 Exit 283 in Bartow County, Ga., go east on Old Allatoona Road, 1.5 miles, cross railroad tracks, go 1 mile, markers on left.

The Cartersville area is rich in history. For more information on local attractions, stop by the Cartersville Visitors Center for more information 24 hours a day or order an informative brochure that highlights Allatoona Pass and other local attractions from them on-line.
The trails at Allatoona Pass
Battle of Allatoona Pass links
Recommended Reading - John Bell Hood

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