October 6, 1864---Two skirmishes in The Valley

OCTOBER 6, 1864:          

Jubal Early’s and John S. Mosby’s forces launch a surprise attack against Union cavalry in the Valley under the command of General George Armstrong Custer.  The Confederates are repulsed after a heavy firefight. At the same time, other elements of Early’s force are repulsed in a skirmish near Fisher’s Hill. 

October 5, 1864---The Battle of Allatoona

OCTOBER 5, 1864:            

The Battle of Allatoona. The Confederate “Franklin-Nashville Campaign” begins. In the face of Union forces moving back north along the rail line from Atlanta, General John Bell Hood C.S.A. decides to stop their advance by cutting the Western & Atlantic Railroad at Allatoona. During the Atlanta Campaign, Sherman had avoided a battle with General Joseph E. Johnston C.S.A.’s forces at this very spot. Allatoona is protected by two lightly manned forts. Hood’s forces batter the forts with artillery and then try to rush both positions, but the Union defenders do not break, keeping fast to Sherman’s order to “Hold down the fort” (which becomes a household expression after the war). The attack is called off when the Confederates receive (false) information regarding a powerful reinforcing column said to be on its way to Allatoona. Although a brief battle, it is bloody. The Union loses 700 men killed, wounded or missing; the Confederacy, 900.