Allatoona, Georgia, October 6, 1884-2 P.M. 
Captain L. M. Dayton, Aide-de-Camp: 
I am short a cheek-bone and an ear, but am able to whip all h—­l
yet!  My losses are very heavy.  A force moving from Stilesboro’ to
Kingston gives me some anxiety.  Tell me where Sherman is. 
John M. Corse, Brigadier-General.

Inasmuch as the, enemy had retreated southwest, and would probably next appear at Rome, I answered General Corse with orders to get back to Rome with his troops as quickly as possible.

General Corse’s report of this fight at Allatoona is very full and graphic.  It is dated Rome, October 27, 1864; recites the fact that he received his orders by signal to go to the assistance of Allatoona on the 4th, when he telegraphed to Kingston for cars, and a train of thirty empty cars was started for him, but about ten of them got off the track and caused delay.  By 7 p.m. he had at Rome a train of twenty cars, which he loaded up with Colonel Rowett’s brigade, and part of the Twelfth Illinois Infantry; started at 8 p.m., reached Allatoona (distant thirty-five miles) at 1 a.m. of the 5th, and sent the train back for more men; but the road was in bad order, and no more men came in time.  He found Colonel Tourtellotte’s garrison composed of eight hundred and ninety men; his reenforcement was one thousand and fifty-four:  total for the defense, nineteen hundred and forty-four.  The outposts were already engaged, and as soon as daylight came he drew back the men from the village to the ridge on which the redoubts were built.

The enemy was composed of French’s division of three brigades, variously reported from four to five thousand strong.  This force gradually surrounded the place by 8 a.m., when General French sent in by flag of truce this note: 

Around Allatoona, October 5, 1884.

Commanding Officer, United States Forces, Allatoona: 

I have placed the forces under my command in such positions that you are surrounded, and to avoid a needless effusion of blood I call on you to surrender your forces at once, and unconditionally.

Five minutes will be allowed you to decide.  Should you accede to this, you will be treated in the most honorable manner as prisoners of war.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully yours,

S. G. French,
Major-General commanding forces Confederate States.

General Corse answered immediately: 

Headquarters fourth division, fifteenth corps
Allatoona, Georgia, October 5, 1864.

Major-General S. G. French, Confederate States, etc: 

Your communication demanding surrender of my command I acknowledge receipt of, and respectfully reply that we are prepared for the “needless effusion of blood” whenever it is agreeable to you.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,