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[62] total, 706. They buried 231 Confederates, captured 411 prisoners, 4 stands of colors, and 800 rifles. Among the Confederate prisoners was a brigade commander, General Young.

There were several dispatches which passed between Sherman and Corse during this engagement, among them the famous signal which came over the Confederate heads from the top of Kenesaw sixteen miles away at 6.30 A. M.: “Hold fort; we are coming.” Fom this incident the famous hymn “Hold the Fort, for I am coming,” was written by Major D. W. Whittle, my provost marshal and personal friend. Later he became a well-known Evangelist. Also the following:

Commanding Officer, Allatoona:
Sherman says hold fast; we are coming.


And Corse's reply:

Allatoona, Ga., October 5, 1864.
... Where is Sherman?


Kenesaw Mountain, October 5th.
Near you. Tell Allatoona hold on. Sherman says he is working hard for you.


Again:

Kenesaw Mountain, October 6th, 2 P. M.
How is Corse? What news?

Dayton, Aid-de-Camp.

Answer:

Allatoona, October 6th, 2 P. M.
Captain L. M. Dayton, Aid-de-Camp:
I am short of a cheekbone and one ear, but am able to whip all hell yet.

John M. Corse, Brigadier General.

For his acts of special gallantry in heroically defending Allatoona, Brigadier General John M. Corse was awarded the commission of Brevet Major General of Volunteers, October 5, 1864.

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