Bob McLendon
Athens, AL
Wed May 16 10:05:44 2001


W. W. McConnico, then of Co. F of the 53rd (later a staff officer in Hannon's brigade), stated, "The 53rd crossed the river a little below Athens. Col. Johnson was to cross still lower down. Col. Johnson for some reason failed to come." In a letter dated 1/29/64 in a newspaper, a soldier of the 53rd stated, "Gen. Roddy had ordered Col. Johnson with 650 men to meet us at Athens on the Florence Road, but a heavy column of the enemy fell on him when he had partly crossed, and beat him back with loss." (Not sure Johnson had that many)...On January 29, Dodge stated, "The plan of attack, as since been ascertained by captured dispatches was as follows: Colonel Johnson and his brigade, stationed near Florence, was to move upon the Florence and Athens road and attack the town from the northwest, while General Roddey in person, with the forces above named (Patterson's and Hannon's regiments and 2 pieces of artillery) was to cross the Tennessee River at Brown's Ferry......The movement of Johnson was defeated by Colonel Miller, of the Second Division, Army of the Cumberland, who fought and checked him at Shoal Creek Bridge, 35 miles west of Athens, the evening before the attack."

I have been researching for a book on Hannon's command for about 15 years. Identification of casualties has come from the compiled service records, personal accounts and letters by veterans of the 53rd, newspaper accounts, and the obituary of 1st Lt. J. F. Riddick, who was killed.

Col. Hannon had been in Richmond in the days prior to the fight at Athens, and Lt. Col. John F. Gaines was in command of the 53rd. However, Hannon arrived in time to be present for the attack. I have some descriptive accounts by some of Hannon's men of the actual attack. But, as is usually the case, as you well know, Confederate and Union accounts differ, particularly as to numbers, and the success of the night's activities.

Thanks,
Bob