The National tribune., 1893-04-27

tahooche River on a pontoon bridge at
Pumpkin Town and Phillips's Ferry, and
marched to the vicinity of Lost Mountain
reaching there on the Sd of October. On
the 4ih of October Gen. Stewards Corps
struck the railroad at AckwOrth and Big
Sbanty, and on the same day Frencb's Di-
vision was detached with orders TO proceed
to Allatoona, destroy the railroad, and, if
practicable, take possession of the place and
secure the supplies stored there.
As oon as Gen. Sherman became satisfied
the enemy had crossed the Chattahooche, he
left the Twentieth Corps, Maj Gen. Siocum,
at Atlanta, and on the 4th of October put in
motion the Fifteenth and Seventeenth Corps,
and the Fourth, Fourteenth and Twenty
third Corps to Smyrna Camp-ground, and on
the 5Jh moved to a strong position about
Kenesaw. He had anticipated the move
ment against Allatoona by ordering Corse to
reinforce that place ffom Rome, Ga. Corse
received his order by signal message, and left
Rome about $50 o'clock on the evening of the
Alb on a train of 20 cars with three regi-
ments of Rowett's Brigade and portion of
the 12ih H., arriving at Allatoona at l
O'Clock on the morning of the 5th.
ALLATooSA.
The garrison at Allatoona consisted of the
First Brigade, Third Division of the Fifteenth
Corps, and was commanded by Lieut.-Col.
John E. Tourtellotte. 4th Mimi. As soon as
Gen. Corse reached Allatoona he. il company
with Col TourtellOtte, rode around and in
spccied the ground and made the necessary
dispositions to hold the place until daybreak.
Even at this early hour brisk fire was main
tanned on the skirmsh-line, and the 18th Wis.
was sent ou. to reinforce the outposts, aad soon
q battalion of the 7th H. followed in support,
as the enemy prvssed warmly at all points from
the south toward the depot At daybreak,
under the cover of strong line of skirmishers,
Gen. Corse withdrew the forces to the summit
OF the ridge. on either side OF the railroad cut.
on which were two small redoGbts overlooking
the village.
Under a brisk cannonade kept up for nearly
two hours, with sharp skirmisbing on the
south front aud west flank, the enemy gra9u-
ally surrounded the place. and at $40 a
Gen. French sent to Gen. Corse the following
note:
have placed the forces under my command In
such q position that YOU are surrounded and to
avoid a needless effusion of blood call upon you
to surrender yonr forces st once and uncondtion-
ally. FIVE minutes will be allowed you TO decide.
the most honorable manner as prisoners of war.
To which Gen. Corse Immediately replied:
Your communication demanding surrender Of
my command ack Bowledge recciV- Of. aud would
respectfully reply that prepared for the
needless fusion of blood" whenever il is agree
able TO you.
The attack began at once from front, flank,
and rear The troops under Gen. COrse en-
desyOre9 TO hold some ground outside the re-
doubts but were soon driven inside. when the
enemy made repeated assaults, but were always
driven back. At ] p. M. Gen. Corse was shot
across the face. the ball cutting his ear which
stunned him. but he continued TO encourage
his men and to give orders. Abont I:30 the
enemy made last and desperate effort to carry
one of the redoubts, but was badly cut to pieces
by the artillery and infantry fire from the
other. when he withdrew, leaving his dead and
wounded on the ground. At 2 p. III. Gen.
Corse sent the following characteristic dispatch
TO Capt L. NJ Dayton, Aid-de-Camp.
] short "A cheekbone and an ear but am
able TO whip all Il yet nay losses are heavy.
A force moving from Stilesboro to Kingston gives
me some anxiety. Tell me where Sherman is
The loss of the Fifteenth Corps in this battle
was 709, distributed as follows: