October 18, 2009 – Headed South

It was awesome. At first we didn’t know what it was. We couldn’t understand why it was so light, and then we saw it. A large orb in the sky, it was bright orange or maybe yellow and so bright. It hurt to look at it directly. And warmth, it actually made you feel warm. Yes, the sun had returned; the clouds and rain are vanquished for at least a couple of days.

We buttoned up the coach and headed south towards Atlanta. Given the choice of using an interstate or a U.S. Hwy, we chose the latter. It was a very nice drive giving us a good impression of southeastern TN and northern GA. The traffic was light and the speed was easy. It’s fun to not have to hurry.

We got a campsite at Allatoona Landing Campground. It is on the shores of Lake Allatoona and adjacent to the Allatoona Pass Battleground. Once settled in, we went to visit the battleground. I expected a couple of memorial stones describing the battle and participants. We were surprised. The battle of Allatoona Pass took place after the fall of Atlanta to the Union troops. The Atlantic and Western RR ran through the Allatoona Pass and was a major supply route for the Union troops. The pass was guarded by a Union force of approximately 900. The Confederates, retreating from Atlanta, elected to attack the Union force and destroy the railway. The Confederates were unaware of two significant changes which took place just hours prior to their attack. First, the garrison had been reinforced with over two thousand additional troops. And second, the troops had the new Henry repeating rifles. In the end, the Confederates fled, but only after massive casualties on each side. It is considered one of the most ferocious battles of the Civil War. The State of Georgia has done a marvelous job in maintaining the park, the trail through the battle ground and the signage.