Battle Of Altoona, GA, Brings Heavy Casualties, Results In Report Of Confederate Prisoners, Amnesty For 389

The Battle of Allatoona, GA, was fought October 5, 1864, in Bartow County and was the first major engagement of the Franklin-Nashville Campaign. A confederate division under Maj. Gen. Samuel G. French attacked a Union garrison under Brig. Gen. John M. Corse but was able to dislodge it from its fortified position protecting the railroad.  The battle was fairly small but bloody with a high percentage of casualities: 706 Union and 897 Confederates. General U.S. Grant praised the stand made by Corse and his men. Corse was wounded during the battle and on the following day sent a message to Gen. Sherman: “I am short a cheek bone and one ear, but am able to whip all hell yet.”

Cartersville, GA, 1864. Very good, folded, faint soiling, contents fine. One page, 8 x 10, ALS, Oct 24th, 1864 on letterhead from Provost Marshal's Office, 3d. div. 15, A.C.
Department of Tennessee. A few weeks after the battle, GEORGE A. CLARKE tells Captain SYRIA M. BUDLONG: "...Since the command has been on duty at this post commencing July 12, 1864, (70) Seventy prisoners of war and (86) eighty-six deserters from the Rebel Army. All of whom have been captured by the troops stationed at this post and Allatoona, GA. Prisoners have also been forwarded from Allatoona and other points within the Division limits direct to Chattanooga, of which I have no returns. I have also, since Aug. 6, 1964 as Post Provost Marshal, administered the amnesty to 389 repentant rebels, most of whom are either employed by USMRR [U.S. Military Railroad] or gone north." Written in the weeks following the Battle of Allatoona.

Clarke, "from July 5 to November 12, 1864, was captain of Company H, of the Fourth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and provost-marshal of the Third Division of the Fifteenth Army Corps, United States Army. and was stationed and in charge at Cartersville, Ga." In 1908 he gave testimony at the investigation into the 1864 destruction of the First Baptist Church.

Budlong was mustered into Company G, 45th Illinois Infantry in November 1861 as a 1st Sergeant. He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant in December 1861 and to 1st Lieutenant in June 1862. He was promoted to Captain in June 1863 and to Captain and Assistant Adjutant General in October 1864.

In excellent condition.

Everything we sell is guaranteed authentic forever to the original buyer. We also offer a 30-day return policy. If you discover a problem or are dissatisfied with an item, please contact us immediately. Our goal is to please every customer.  We are pleased to be members of The Manuscript Society, Universal Autograph Collectors Club, The Ephemera Society, the Southern New England Antiquarian Booksellers and the Preferred Autograph Dealers and Auction House. [CW 191]