Graphic War-Date 7th Illinois Vols. Account of The Battle of Allatoona, Georgia

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A great war-date account of the battle of Allatoona, Georgia which occurred on Oct. 5, 1864, 6pp. 8vo., written by Corp. John Ehrhardt, Co. C, 7th Illinois Vols., given no later than a week after the battle while his regiment was still on the battlefield as they were ordered to leave Allatoona on October 12. In an attempt to cut Union Gen. Sherman's supply lines on the Western and Atlantic Railroad. Confederate Gen. John B. Hood ordered Samuel French to attack and capture the Union garrison stationed at Allatoona Pass, Georgia. On Oct. 5, 1864 he attacked and was soundly defeated after a stubborn resistance put up by the Union garrison stationed there. Armed with sixteen shot Henry Rifles Ehrhardt's regiment played a key role in helping defeat the Confederates. He had every right to be proud of his regiment's performance making his wordy and sometimes awkwardly prosed account of the battle excusable and with that in mind he gives us one of the earliest and most detailed accounts of the battle we have ever encountered in the market place. Ehrhardt boldly entitled his account: "The great battle of Allatoona." and it reads, in very small part: "The angel of death laughed as he looked upon the scene…the ball opened with artillery. Rebels shells filled the air. Rebel shot[s] plowed the ground…the enemy made the attack on three sides with infantry while on the south side the[y] used their artillery. At 9 o'clock on Wednesday morning the battle raged at all points…the 39 Iowa and 7 Illinois occupied the pits on the right and left of the Cartersville road, west of the forts on the hill and four companies of the 39 Iowa were deployed as skirmishers on a ridge to the left…the enemy moved by the right and left flank and by sheer force…gained the position between the ridge where the four companies were and the rifle pits…isolating the small party and capturing most of them…hotter waged the fight. The enemy charged the rifle pits. They fought like demons…the struggle over the rifle pits was terrific…for one hour each plied the weapons of death…the ditches were filling with the dead and dying…they suddenly retired to the fort and fought as the[y] went…the enemy line became effectively broken…with a determination still unwavering Genl. Corse took possession of one of the forts and Col. [John Eaton] Tourtellotte occupied the other…in the ditch around the forts those who…could not get behind the protecting walls. On, on came the enemy. On…was the battle cry. The battle increased in fury and each…became more confident of triumph. While charging…Genl. Corse received a musket ball in the check which…fractured the left bone and cut off a portion of the left ear. Sinking to the ground from loss of blood he still repeated, "Hold Allatoona" and for a time was unconscious. Col. Wm. Rowett [actually Richard Rowett promoted Bvt. Brig. Gen. 3/13/65] of the 7th Ill. assumed command…the combat continued unabated…in the distance on…Kennesaw [Mountain] interested an interested spectator watched the progress of the battle…he specks to a signal officer and…this dispatch is read in the fort. "Hold on to Allatoona to the last. I will help you. W. T. Sherman, Maj. Genl." An hour later the battle had not abated. Ammunition was running short. Col. Rowett's fort had become a slaughter pen, the men…being killed or wounded…reluctantly he gives the order to cease firing…to let the enemy come close…mistaken his order to mean surrender the men…exclaimed never…before the Colonel [Rowett] had time to explain he received a ball [in the head, fracturing his skull] from the enemy which left him lifeless. [Surgeon later placed a sterling silver plate in his head to save him and he walked the rest of his life with partial paralysis.]…under a most painful wound Genl. Corse again took commandant directed us [as] before. Two o'clock came and with it the crisis. The struggle became appalling…cheering for McClellan the rebels mad e final swoop [and] charged in solid body to the crest of the hill…when a gunner…put in a double load…taking careful aim let drive the…projectiles…the enemy halted, staggered, receded…and fled…every man for himself leaving their killed and wounded, about two hundred prisoners and three stands of colors…in the hands of the Union army. [CSA] Genl. [William Hugh] Young was severely wounded and several of [CSA Gen. Samuel G.] French's field officers were killed…while the moral of the army is damaged forever. One rebel major came in that evening…and surrendered all that was left of his regiment. Rebel officer[s] who were wounded and fell into our hands declared they never intended to fight again…a officer of the enemy who attempted to fire the depot…was found dead with his torch still burring…among the wounded prisoners was found a Missouri girl, dressed in male attire. The amputation of a leg disclosed her…a million rations were…at Allatoona…the rebel soldiers call it the Hard Tack Battle. French asked for peace and bread, Genl. Corse gave him war and lead. Hood parked his supply train insight…and ordered French to draw rations. Corse declared on…needless effusion of blood that he should issue except with Genl. Sherman's approval. And he didn't. Genl. Corse's wound was very painful…Col. Rowett's wound is more serious and is very severe. Lieut. J[ohn] S. Robinson [adjutant] of the 7th Ill. was also severely wounded [in the chest. He died of his wounds on Jan. 4, 1865]…Corpl. John Ehrhardt, Co. C, 7th Regt. Ill. Vet. Vols. Inft. Allatoona, Georgia". Light soiling with expected wear, else VG

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