My great-great-uncle, William Burwell, was killed defending Allatoona Pass while fighting for the 7th Illinois Infantry of the Union Army. He was one of three brothers from Atlanta, Illinois, who fought in the same company. My great-great-grandfather, John Burwell, was injured in that battle, but he lived for another fifty years with a bullet lodged in his head.

In terms of casualty ratios, this was the bloodiest battle of the Civil War. May all those who perished for both sides rest in peace.