The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1903-01-29
A Gallant Defense Foils the Rebels Hope Of
Large Booty of Munitions and Eations.


A Gallant Defense Foils the Rebels Hope of
Large Booty of Munitions and Eations.
infantry and one regiment of cavalry-the
1st Ala--commanded by Col. George f.
Spencer. When Gen. Corsc received or
ders from Gen. Sherman to reinforce Ala
toona his plan was 10 move with all his
infantry and leave Col. Spencer to hold
Rome We could not tell how soon the
attack on Allatoona would be made. The
greatest dispatch was desired in rein
forcing the place, and there was great I'M
patience in the necessary delay in assem-
bling the trains.
At :; p IN. / received two dispatches
from Gen. Corse. He said: Il am expect
ing train every moment. As soon as sod !
can get ready will move 5000 or 1000
Il will be with you as soon as L can
get a train. Hold on and keep me adj
vised hourly. The railroad will be in con-
dition to move troops in an hour. Instruct
all guards to destroy all bridges. except
one we have to cross to reach Allatoona.'
1t was not until late in the evening that
the two trains could be sent out TO Rome.
haste in handling the trains, about ID cars
were thrown off the track.
Gen. Corse ut once telesraphcd me OF
the disaster and proposed marching with
his entire force, and not wait for the
train. ! called attention to the distance,
40 miles, and urged him TO put all the men
possible on the ears that were available,
and hurry forward, leaving the others to
follow when the road was cleared. Gen.
COrse acted upon the suggestion, but in
stead of having 1000 men he was able to
transport only 1,O54 men.
GEN. CoEsE REACHES ALLATOoNA.
Gen. Corse left Rome at $50 p. M Oct
t. and arrived at .AllatOOna at 10 o'clock
the next morning. He promptly unlOaded
his men and 10000 rounds of ammuni-
ton, and sent his train back for more
troops, but the train was delayed by an
other accident. Gen. Corse took with him
part of the Third Brigade, Second Divis-
ion, Sixteenth Corps, commanded by Col.
Richard ROwctt. The force was composed
of eight companies of the 39th Iowa. $50
men. Lieut.-Col. james Redfeld. COM
manding; nine companies 18th ILL.,, 267
men, Lieut.-Col. Hector Perrin, COM
ing; eight companies ,aDth. ILL.,, 267 men,
two companies 9th I'LL. 81 men, Capt
Van Steenberg. commanding: detachment
of 10Th I'll. of Col. Robert n. Adams's
Second Brigade, 15j nel, Capt. KOehler,
commanding; total, 1904 men.
Gen. Corse arrived none too soon. The
enemy had advanced, close to the post
when the train backed epyt of the station;
by 2 O'Clock the skiYmish line was en-
gagged. and was soon reinforced by the
the 9TH iii. forward to support the Skin
mish line, the enemy prassing warmly at
all points from the south toward the
depot.
At daybreak, under cover Of strong
skirmish line, the troops in the town were
withdrawn and posted s0p the summit of
the ridge on either side Of the railroad cut.
The railroad at this point passes through
high range of hills in a deep cut made
in what is known as AllatoOra Pass. Gen.
COrse found it necessary to withdraw
from the least defensible part of the line
held by Col. TourtellOtte, and thus left the
railroad depot outside of his line. Here
were stored about 100000 rations. At
o'clock on the morning of Oct. ) Gen.
Corse's troops We're posted as follows:
The It'll III. and 39th Iowa were in line of
battle, facing west, on spur that covered
the redoubt on the hill over the cut; one
battalion Of the 93d Ill. in reserve. The
| balance of the 93d Iii. was deployed as
| skirmshers. and moved along the ridge in
4 westerly direction, feeling for the enemy
who was endeavoring to push q force
around the right flank. The 4th MINI
and the 50th and 18th III. were in the
works on the hill east of the railroad cut.
The balance of the troops We're on ont
post or skirmish duty. The enemy pushed
a brigade Of troops around the north OF
| the town and cut the railroad and tele
graph wire, thus severng connection with
| Gainesville. This was done under a
| heavy fire of artillery. aided by constant
| fire ON the skirnish line on the south and
west.
DEMAND FOR SURRENDER OF ALLATooNA
At $50 a. III. from the north, on the
| Gainesville Road. Gen. COrse received thu
following demand to surrender, under a
| flag of truce:
"Aronnd Allato0na, Oct ), 1864.
Commanding Officer U. S. Forces, Ala.
| toona.
"Sir: have placed the forces under my
command in such position that you are
surrounded, and to avoid needless effu
| sion of blood l call upon you to surrender
| your forces mt once and Internationally
Five minutes will be allowed you to de.
eide. Should you accede to this you will
be treated in the most honorable manner
as prisoners of war. / have the honor to
be, very respectfully,
"MaiOr-General,
Commanding G. s. Forces"
To this summons Gen. Corse made the
following reply: .-4
Headquarters, Fourth Division,
Fifteenth Army Corps,
"AllatOOna, Ga, Oct. 5, 1864, $50 a. IN.
'Maj.-Gen. s. G. French, G. S. Army, etc
your communication demanding sur.
render Of my command acknowledge re-
ceipt of, and would respectfully reply that
we are prepared for the needless effusiOn
of blood whenever it is agreeable to you.
l am, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant.
"JNO. M. CORSE,
| BRIG. Gen, Commanding U. S. Forces -
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