Six To One Odds

Union forces of the 9th Illinois Mounted Infantry under Captain Emil Adams were attacked at the Battle of Athens on January 26th 1864.

At about four in the morning in Athens, Alabama 600 men of the 1st Alabama Cavalry under Lieutenant Colonel Moses Hannon made an attack against the Union defenders. Although out numbered by six to one and with no fortification Captain Adams’ men were able to hold for two hour, and finally forced the Confederates to retreat. There were about twenty Union and thirty Confederate casualties.