Colonel John Tourtellotte commands the small Federal…

Colonel John Tourtellotte commands the small Federal garrison at Allatoona, a partial brigade.

Before the Southern division arrives, Sherman sends a reinforcement brigade with Brigadier General John M. Corse, who takes command of both brigades.

The Federal troops occupy strong defensive positions in two earthen redoubts on each side of a one hundred and eighty-foot, sixty-five feet deep railroad cut and many of the men, including the entire 7th Illinois, are armed with Henry repeating rifles.

French's division arrives near Allatoona at sunrise on October 5.

After a two-hour artillery bombardment, French sends a demand for surrender, which Corse refuses.

French now launches his brigades in an attack—one from the north (against the rear of the fortifications) and two from the west.

Corse's men survive the sustained two-hour attack against the main fortification, the Star Fort on the western side of the railroad cut, but are pinned down and Tourtellotte sends reinforcements from the eastern fort.

Under heavy pressure, it seems inevitable that the Federals will be forced to surrender, but by noon French receives a false report from his cavalry that a strong Union force is approaching from Acworth, so he reluctantly withdraws at 2 p.m.

Allatoona is a relatively small, but bloody battle with high percentages of casualties.