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This was the beginning of Shermans Atlanta Campaign. He sent a divison under Geary to try to force the gap in Joe Johnstons rear and cover McPhearson's move down Snake Creek Gap toward Resaca.
If it had succeded The Army of Tennessee would have been cut off, trapped between to forces and likely destroyed.
To oppose this division was a mixed force of 1200 Confederates. Mostly dismounted cavalry.
William Dyer in his book credited holding the gap to the fact each man had up to four pistols.When those ran out they used rocks.
The gap is VERY steep with a rock escarpement along the rim,vert tough ground to assualt. In fact very tough just to walk up !