The Official Message Log of One of the Great Exchanges of the Civil War: Between General William T. Sherman on Kennesaw Mountain and the Small Brave Band of Men Holding a Strategic Fort in the Allatoona Campaign

The threatened garrison holding Allatoona Pass was held forth as an example of how Jesus Christ signals Christians to hold strong to their beliefs, for “He is coming” and inspired a hymn and the modern saying “hold the fort”

 

The success of this campaign convinced Sherman that he should march to the sea; The messages Sherman mentions from this campaign appear in this document

 

Examples of the texts: Sherman: “Push on through the pass. I am coming.”; “Sherman is moving in force. Hold out.” Sherman orders the destruction of bridges in Georgia: “Bridges over the Etowah between Rail Road and Rome should be destroyed at once.”

 

Acquired from the heirs of John Quincy Adams, the signal officer himself, and never offered for sale before. It was not previously known to have survived.

During the Battle of Atlanta, CSA General John Bell Hood assumed command of Confederate forces in and around Atlanta. After the fall of Atlanta, Hood launched a campaign to re-capture Nashville. Hood’s decision to drive north necessitated that the Confederates destroy Sherman’s line of supplies and communication. A Confederate assault on the forts at Allatoona would be the first major battle in Hood’s campaign. On October 4, 1864, CSA General Samuel French received orders from Hood to proceed with his division of 3,276 men from Big Shanty several miles north of Marietta, to Allatoona. Not only was he to take the forts there, but fill the massive pass with debris, march five miles north to burn the Etowah River bridge, and then rejoin Hood the next day at New Hope Church. This was a round-trip 96 mile mission through enemy territory to be accomplished in less than two days. From his post on Kennesaw Mountain, Sherman learned of this massive deployment of Confederate troops and artillery northward from Marietta. He messaged his officers, “The enemy is moving on Allatoona, thence to Rome.”

Sherman instructed Brigadier General John Corse to move his division from Rome to back up the small garrison of 976 men at Allatoona. Corse and his troops reached Allatoona at 1:00 a.m. on October 5th. He assumed command of better than 2,000 men but expected more. Twice the previous day the Allatoona garrison had received messages from Sherman to “Hold out,” and “We are coming.” French arrived at Allatoona at about 3:00 a.m. At daybreak he witnessed what he later described as a “mountain fortress.” Two earthen forts sat atop steep ridges. The walls each were 12 feet thick, surrounded by 6 foot deep ditches, making the parapets approximately 12 feet high. The forts were connected by a wooden footbridge spanning the 60-foot breadth of the pass, and the entire garrison was surrounded by trenches and outworks of rifle pits.

Within a few hours of French’s arrival, the battle began. The main Confederate offensive came from the north and west, forcing a main contingent of Union troops inside the western-most fort, but at a terrible price. French’s forces made four assaults on the western fort, coming within 100 yards of taking it each time. With ammunition running low, Union officers, hoping to conserve the supply, ordered a cease-fire. Many Union soldiers, thinking they wanted to surrender, cried out, “Never,” and “Die first.” The words reached Corse, and he jumped up, cursing angrily: “No surrender, by God! Hold Allatoona!”

However, French received a message from his Confederate cavalry around noon leading him to believe Sherman was sending reinforcements to Allatoona. He had no hope of reinforcements; only orders to join Hood at New Hope Church with men who had marched and fought fiercely for three days and two nights without rest. The Confederates may have taken Allatoona Pass, but they couldn’t hold it. Rather than propel his troops into a fortress which would become their slaughterhouse, French withdrew. Of the 5,301 men engaged in the battle (2,025 Union and 3,276 Confederates), there were 1,603 casualties.

Back at Allatoona, Corse’s men spent October 6 strengthening their positions and gathering up the Rebel dead and wounded. Corse later reported burying “213 rebel dead, capturing 3 colors and about 800 small arms,” plus 411 prisoners of war. At 2 o’clock in the afternoon Corse sent Sherman a dramatic message: “I am short a cheek bone and an ear, but am able to whip hell yet.”

“Your head is worth more than a dozen of any I have to spare,” Sherman replied. Pleased with Corse for saving Allatoona, on October 7, in Special Order Number 86, Sherman gave the “thanks of the army” to Corse and his men for their “determined and gallant defense of Allatoona.” Sherman met Corse up in Rome.

Hold the Fort

The song “Hold the Fort!” was written in 1870 by Philip Paul Bliss, an evangelist and composer, after he heard the story of the Union defense of Allatoona Pass told in a Sunday School class. The use of signal flags to send messages from Kennesaw Mountain near Atlanta to the threatened garrison holding Allatoona Pass was held forth as an example of how Jesus Christ signals Christians to hold strong to their beliefs, for “He is coming.”

The meeting attended by Bliss took place in Rockford, Illinois, on a Thursday and Friday, April 28-29, 1870. Among the speakers was Major Daniel Webster Whittle, who told how on the day before the battle, General William Tecumseh Sherman had sent messages by signal flag to urge the garrison at Allatoona to hold out.

In 1876, Whittle and Bliss actually visited Georgia and climbed to the top of Kennesaw Mountain. There they saw the ruins of the Civil War signal tower and in the distance could see the Allatoona Mountains.

The story of the signals sent to Allatoona as told by Whittle differed somewhat from reality. General Sherman himself wrote of the incident in a letter dated June 22, 1875. While he remembered some of the details used by Whittle at the Sunday School Convention, he also noted, “I do not think I used the words ‘Hold the Fort’.”

Sherman’s memory was correct, as we see from this very document, the official version.

Sherman also wrote about this incident at length in his autobiography.

On reaching Kennesaw, “the signal officer reported,” says Sherman, in his Memoirs, “that since daylight he had failed to obtain any answer to his call for Allatoona; but while I was with him he caught a faint glimpse of the tell-tale flag through an embrasure, and after some time made out these letters:

“C – R – S – E – 3 -H – E – R”

and translated the message “Corse is here”. It was a source of great relief, for it gave me the first assurance that General Corse had received his orders, and that the place was adequately garrisoned.”

Messages containing orders and crucial information were sent or received by Sherman and his commanders just before, during and after the battle. Many of these were of great importance. A log of them was kept by signal officer John Quincy Adams. He recorded the texts of messages, marking them “sent” or received”, and often dating them in pencil. Coming from the Adams papers and obtained from a descendant, we assume the handwriting must be that of Adams himself. He records 12 messages received from Sherman, 3 sent by Sherman likely from Adams’ location, and many others in which Sherman is mentioned. We have never seen another document like this on the market. It is important and unique in every way.

Manuscript signed by JQ Adams, 8 long pages, in the hand of Adams, docketed on verso as “Copy of Messages Received and Transmitted, Lt. Adams from Oct. 4th to Oct. 10th.”

The phrase “copy of messages” is a term of art, indicating the official record of incoming and outgoing individual messages in one place, often used for official record keeping and reporting of an ongoing or just completed event. It would be the official copy.

This was acquired from the heirs of John Quincy Adams, the signal officer inside the fort, and never offered for sale before. It was not previously known to have survived.

Page 1

The front reads: “Copy of Dispatches”. On the left is noted whether noted whether it was a sent or received the message.

“The enemy is moving on Allatoona thence to Rome.”

Received. “Oct. 4th. Commanding officers Allatoona, Kingston & Rome. The enemy is moving on Allatoona thence to Rome. Signed Gen. Sherman.”

“Gen. Corse, Rome – Sherman directs you move forward…with your entire command”

Received. “Gen. Corse, Rome – Sherman directs you move forward and join Smith’s Division with your entire command using cars if to be had and [take] provisions rathe than lose them. Signed Gen. Van Der Veer.”

“Sherman is moving in force. Hold out.”

Received. “Commanding officers Allatoona, Sherman is moving in force. Hold out. Signed Gen. Van Der Veer.”

Received. “Oct. 5th. Gen. Corse is here with one brigade. Where is Gen. Sherman? Signed Adams, signal officer.”

Sent. “We are all right so far. Gen. Corse is wounded. Where is Gen. Sherman? Signed Adams, signal officer.” .

Received. “Near you.”

2.

“Tell Allatoona Hold on” – This is the phrase that later became “hold in the fort” in lore

Received. “Tell Allatoona Hold on – Gen. Sherman says he is working hard for you. Signed for Gen. Sherman. by Gen, Van Der Veer.” October 6, Allatoona.

Received. “How is Corse? What news signed Dayton AAG.”

“Tell me where Sherman is.”

Sent. Allatoona, October 6. “Captain L.M. Dayton, I am short a cheek bone and one ear, but able to whip all hell yet. My hopes are very heavy. A force reported morning from Stilisford on Kingston, gives me some anxiety.Tell me where Sherman is. Signed Corse, Brig. Gen. Comdg.”

Received. “Gen. Corse, Am reconnoitering towards Burnt Hickory and Lost Mountain. Are you badly hurt? If all is right at Allatoona, I want you back at Rome. Signed Sherman.”

3.

Received. “Corse, Saw your Battle. Are all right- have sent to your assistance. Sorry you are hurt. General [Sherman] is mindful of you. Signed Dayton.”

Sent. “Rome to General Sherman, Wheeler with two divisions Cavalry is today trying to cross the south of the Coosa four miles west of Cedar Bluffs. Deserters who left his command this morning say he is going to Blue Mountain. Jackson’s Division was at Leemesville this morning going to Rail Road near Resaca. Signed George E. Spencer, Colonel Commanding.”

Sent. “Cartersville to Gen. Sherman, Wheeler reported crossing Coosa near Cedar Bluffs…Deserters say towards Blue Mountain. Signed Green B. Raum, B.B. Gen.”

“Corse – Gen. Sherman is here.”

Received. “Oct. 7th, Corse – Gen. Sherman is here. A Brigade is marching to you. Signed Sherman.”

4.

Sent. “Gen. Sherman – I just sent my command to Rome. Shall I move my command back to Rome when your Brigade arriving? Signed Corse.”

Received. “Gen. Corse, Yes, move to Rome when the Brigade arriving. Signed Sherman.”

Sent. “Gen. Sherman, The Brigade from 33rd Corps has arrived. How long shall I remain? Corse, Brig. Gen.”

“Brigade stay till further orders. Signed Sherman.”

Received. “Allatoona. Brigade stay till further orders. Signed Sherman.”

Sent. “Cartersville to Col. Beckwith C.C.S. 8000 head of cattle here. Signed Green B. Raum, B.B.Gen.”

Received. “Hurry cattle into Allatoona pass at once. Signed Sherman.”

5.

Received. “Allatoona. Send back courier with full accounts of all matters of interest and as to road…Signed Sherman.”

Sent. “Gen. Sherman, I sent a staff officer to you this morning with intelligence. Corse.”

Received: “Corse, Lieut. Ludlow is here all OK. (This the staff officer mentioned above). Signed Ewing.”

Sent. “Ewing, Tell Ludlow to come to Cartersville tonight. I’ll be there.”

“Army will remain in present position until further intelligence of the movements of the enemy “

Received. “Oct. 8th. Gen. Corse, Army will remain in present position until further intelligence of the movements of the enemy when reported by our Cavalry, still out. Signed Sherman.”

Received. “Gen. Corse, Am just in. Am very sorry at your wound. All is right with you. If passable, keep the enemy off your line. And let me know at once what force you have and what is at Kingston and Rome. Also send some account of your fight. Hood has retreated to Dallas. Signed Sherman.”

Received. “Gen. Corse, We all feel grateful to God for your brilliant victory, and are proud of our old comrade and his noble division. You have the congratulations and sympathy of the 17th Army Corps. Ransom, Brig. Gen.”

Sent. “Gen. Sherman, Shall Cowen’s Bridge and ___ Bridge over the Etowah be destroyed? Green B. Raum, B.B. Gen.”

Sherman orders the destruction of bridges in Georgia: “Bridges over the Etowah between Rail Road and Rome should be destroyed at once.”

Received. “Col. Raum, Yes. Bridges over the Etowah between Rail Road and Rome should be destroyed at once. Hood is making for Dallas to Cedartown. I will be at Allatoona tomorrow. Look to the safety of bridges near Cartersvile. Sherman.”

6.

Received. “Gen. Corse, Hood has moved from Dallas to Cedartown. Collect your camps this side of Allatoona and enquire of all the posts the news & let me know when shall I move I will order further. The Army moves that way. Signed Sherman.”

Sent. “Gen. Sherman, At 8 o’clock last night Rome telegraphed nothing new. Soon after the line ceased working. Not working yet. Signed Gen. Cox.”

Sent. “Gen. Sherman, The telegraph is operating to Rome and north. Will send news soon as I can get it. Signed J.D. Cox, Brig. Gen.” [Oct. 9]

Sherman: “Push on through the pass. I am coming.”

Received. “Cox, Allatoona. If you become so satisfied Hood is approaching Rome or Kingston, push on through the pass. I am coming. Signed Sherman.”

Received. “Gen. Sherman, Beckwith has ordered the cattle to Allatoona. Shall I retain them? Signed Howard.”

7.

Sent. “Gen. Howard, Leave the cattle about Kenesaw where there is good grazing until further orders. Signed Sherman. Report the above to Col. Beckwith, L.W. Dayton.”

Sent. “Oct. 10th. Cartersville to Gen. Howard. Move your whole Army forward to Kingston. Bring along 1500 of the stock cattle. Orders will reach you from Capt. Dayton. Signed Sherman.”

“I have sent orders to Gen. Howard to move rapidly to Kingston. The enemy has made his appearance at Rome.”

Sent. “Cartersville to Gen. Van Der Veer, I have sent orders to Gen. Howard to move rapidly to Kingston. The enemy has made his appearance at Rome. I want 1500 of the cattle brought forward. The balance shall be sent into Atlanta. Signed Sherman.”

Sherman’s foragers are destroying railroad tracks in Georgia

Received. Gen. Sherman, My teams are out foraging. Seven miles have large parties at work on Rail Road. Can start at daylight tomorrow a.m. Will that do? Signed Howard. Hasten answer.”

8.

“Reach Allatoona tonight, and tomorrow push on with rapidity till you overtake us.”

Sent. “Cartersville, Gen. Howard. It is all important you should make a forced march today and tomorrow. Reach Allatoona tonight, and tomorrow push on with rapidity till you overtake us. Signed Sherman.”