The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1864-10-29
Gen. Corse's Defence Of the Pass
OF All0tOOno.,

role defense Of probably the
mos. bloody and stubborn defense by a
handful OF men in a strong position against
whole army, that has occurred anywhere
in this war. More than one. third OF the
defenders Of -AIlatoona fell in Ibis battle.
Giving the demand for the surrender by
the rebel General and Corses laconio re-
ply. the correspondent says: . The angel
OF death laughed as he looked upon that
would surge up against the craggy sleeps,
and meet IN stern array the patriot pha-
lanx."
THE BATTLE AND IT'S sIURaoENSTss.
The bali opened with artillery. Rebel
shell filed the air. Rebel shos piowed the
ground. Indeed, everything and every
where looked re0ct- lsosls.
The enemy made the attsex on three
sides at once--on the west and north sides
with infantry, while on the so1sn side they
used their artillery. At o'clock on
Wednesday morning the battle ragged at all
points Of the compass.
The seth Iowa and 7th Illinois occupied
the pits on the right and left OF he Carters-
vile road, west Of the forts on the hill, and
four companies OF the 39th Iowa were de-
ployed as skirmishers, on a ridge to the
left and in front. The enemy moved by the
right and left flank, and, by sheer force Of
numbers, gained position between the
ridge, where the four companies were, and
the rifie-pits containing the remainder of
the regiment, isolating the small party and
through and around the rebels 70 one of the
forts.
Hotter waxed the fight. The enemy
charged the rifle-pits; they fought like de-
mons incarnate fought as only men will
fight who are mad; fought rs il they had
nothing to sacrifice, and everything to cap
tUre.
The struggle over the rifle-pits was ter
rife: the rebels attacked in front and on
both TANKS. For one hour each piled the
weapons of death for the mastery. The
di,ches were filled with the dead and dy-
ing. The survivors could do no better, SO
they sullenly retired TO the fort, lighting as
they went.
enemy's line became efectuaily broken !;
when reason and sense and patience must
have been exhausted: when charging by
regiments and brigades had .ailed, the
rebels massed and came up the slopes,
through the ravines and over the pits, in
swarms, Just like bees in swasnling time.
As q last resort. and with q determna-
ton still unwayering, General, Corse took
possession of one of the forts and Colonel
Tourtellotte occupied the other, each hav-
ing portions of the battery and fragments
OF the shattered command. IN the ditch
around the forts were those who, for want
of room, could not get behind he protect
ing walls.
On, on came the enemy. Or. on, was his
battle-cry. The battle Increased IN fury,
and each warrior became more confident Of
triumph. While cheering his men and tell
ing them never to yield, Genera. Corse re-
esiyed muske. ball in the cheek, which
partially fractured the left bone and cut Off
a par. OF the left ear. Sinking 10 the ground
from loss of blood, he still repeated, Hold
Allatoona!n and for a time was uncon-
scious. Colonel Richard Rowett, OF the eth
Illinois, assumed command in his stead,
and the combat continued unapated.
Away in the distance, on the pinnacle OF
kenesaw, an interested spectator watched
the progress Of the battle. 1t was y o'clock
Presently he speaks to a signai-ofiicer, and
in two minutes this dispatch is read in the
fort:
Hold on to Allatoona to the last.
will help you. w. T. SHERMAN,
"Major General"
An hour later the battle had not abated.
Ammunition was running shorr. lionel
Rowett fort had become slaughter-pen
the men under his command being either
killed, wounded or covered with the blood
OF coIHI0ues. IsS1uctAndy ne gave Tue
order to cease firing, intending to let the
enemy come close enough to see their eye
balls. Mistaking his order to mean sur
render, the men, with one voice. exclaimed,
.'Never, never!', Before the Colonel had
time to ex plain, he received bail from
the enemy, which left him apparently life
less. Brave warrior such ga.iantry as
yours is unimpeachable.
Writing under most painful wound,
Com Capoo qcppsr snOk command and III.
rected as before.
THE cRIsIs--A COMPLETE VICTORY.
Two O'Clock came, and with it the crisis.
The struggle had become appalling; the is-
sue trembled in the balance, Loudly
cheering, the rebels made q final swoop-
charged in body to the crest of the hill
essayed to break down thepalisades--wLen
piece, put in . double load, rammed it
home with grim smile, and, taking care
full aim, let dive the death dealing pro-
jectiles right into the faces of the foe. The
enemy halted. staggered, receded, fled, and
fed in the widest disorder. every man for
himself, leaving their killed, wounded,
about two hundred prisoners, ana three
stands of colors and seven hundred small
arms, in the hands of the Union army
Gen. Young was severely wounded, and
several of French's field oiiicefs were
killed. His entire loss will not fall below
ZOO men while the morale OF that army il
damaged forever.
One rebel Major came in that evening
Voluntarily, and surrendered all that was
left of his regimenV
Rebel officers who were wounded and fell
into our hands declared that they never in
tended to fight again; AZ Their cause was
worse than hopeless.
A field officer Of the enemy, who at
tempted to fire the depot OF supplies, was
found dead, with his torch still burning in
his clenched hand.
Among the wounded prisoners was found
Missouri girl, dressed In male attire. The
amputation of q leg disclosed her sex.
General Young was placed i'm an am
bulance, and his soldiers attempted to get
him away in it, but they were nnsnccess-
full. Gerrard's cavalry brought the Gene
raj to Rome.
| A million rations were IN store at Ala
toona. As the fight was brought on to Oh.
tain these, the rebels csll it the 'Hard-tack
battle!'
French asked for peace and bread; Gen
Corse gave him war and lead
/ Hood parked his supply train in sight o