Alan J. Pitts
Re: Athens, AL
Wed May 16 08:31:26 2001


Thanks for your response. Would you mention your sources for Confederate casualties at Athens and the position of Patterson's regiment? During 1864 Roddey frequently operated with a divided command, part under Johnson and the other under Patterson, so I'd not be surprised to see the 5th Cavalry with Hannon. Learning that Roddey intended to cross the Tennessee at Bainbridge Ferry, Dodge left only a small group of dismounted men in Athens while his men moved west to strike Roddey's bridgehead. That's why such a small garrison was in Athens.