Col. John C. Moore, Confederate Military History, a library of Confederate States Military History: Volume 9.2, Missouri
Clement Anselm Evans, Ed.

[154] the latter part of September Hood concentrated his forces and moved northward. But there was no fighting until he reached the Allatoona mountain, when French's division was detached and ordered to take the post of Allatoona, which was strongly fortified and held by the enemy. On the summit were three forts protected by formidable lines of intrenchments, while on the exposed sides an abatis had been made of felled timber. These forts guarded the Allatoona pass. The Missourians made a dash for the fort they were ordered to assault, and, after a stubborn fight, notwithstanding the impediments in their way, reached and took it, capturing part of the garrison, the other part escaping to the next fort Sears' brigade failed to take the adjoining fort, and a general assault was made upon it. But that, too, failed, and as Federal reinforcements were rapidly approaching General French ordered the troops to withdraw, though the Missourians were eager to charge again. In the charge on the first fort Major Waddell, commanding the Third infantry, was killed on the summit of the inner parapet He was a fine officer and greatly beloved by his command.

Shortly after the fight at Allatoona, Hood and Sherman parted company, the one to make his campaign into Tennessee and the other to pursue his march to the sea. From Allatoona to Franklin was a march of fifty-six days, through the rains of fall and winter, over muddy roads, on short rations, with wornout shoes and blistered feet, and the relaxation of digging trenches, building pontoon bridges and, occasionally skirmishing with the enemy. On the 30th of November the army reached Franklin. In the attack Stewart's corps was on the right, Cheatham's on the left, and the cavalry on either flank. The attack was made at four o'clock in the evening, and the Missouri brigade went forward with its band playing Dixie. The troops carried the outer line of the enemy's intrenchments, and advanced against their interior line.