Thanks for your comments, Alan.

Alan Pitts writes "Sherman called it was the bloodiest battle on the continent, in terms of numbers involved. Perhaps his statement should be examined. The 7th Illinois appears on this list, but note that several Federal regiments in the east reported higher casualty percentages."

Union casualties at this battle were around 30%, and I don't see any higher figures on the link you provided. There were approximately 2,200 Union soldiers involved, and 706 casualties. The Federal soldiers were defending the rail line through Allatoona Pass, as well as their supply depot, which held over a million rations of hardtack for the soldiers in the field. The Confederate troops under General Hood numbered 3,276 with casualties at 873 (this last number is from Confederate sources).

The Union soldiers who sucessfully defended the pass suffered approximately one-third casualties, one-third injured, and one-third unharmed. My great-great-grandfather and his two brothers had the same rate: William was killed, John injured, and Abner unharmed.

I agree that the Henry repeating rifles played a role in the Union Army's success in defending Allatoona Pass, and may have saved my great-great-grandfather's life. The soldiers of the Seventh Illinois Infantry purchased these rifles with their own money, at the cost of approximately three months salary. Federal soldiers were not defending their homes (as you point out), but they had motivations of their own.

Incidentally, the Confederate forces who attacked the Union supplies at Allatoona were not defending their homes. The bulk of the Confederates at this battle were from Texas and Missouri.