Description: |
Maj. Gen. Joseph Wheeler and his cavalry raided into North Georgia to destroy railroad tracks and
supplies. They approached Dalton in the late afternoon of August 14 and demanded the surrender of the garrison.
The Union commander, Col. Bernard Laibolt, refused to surrender and fighting ensued. Greatly outnumbered, the
Union garrison retired to fortifications on a hill outside the town where they successfully held out, although the attack
continued until after midnight. Skirmishing continued throughout the night. Around 5:00 am, on the 15th, Wheeler
retired and became engaged with relieving infantry and cavalry under Maj. Gen. James B. Steedman’s command.
Eventually, Wheeler withdrew. The contending forces’ reports vary greatly in describing the fighting, the casualties,
and the amount of track and supplies captured and destroyed. This engagement was inconclusive, but since the
Confederates withdrew, it may be termed a Union victory. |