Confederates after the fall of Atlanta waged harassing attacks on Union forces northwest of that major Southern city 150 years ago this week in the Civil War.

A Confederate force moving northward around Atlanta clashed with Union troops for several hours on Oct. 5, 1864, near Allatoona Pass. Union forces held their ground behind an earthen defense work until Union reinforcements could arrive and the Confederate attackers retreated.

Elsewhere, The Associated Press reported intermittently heavy skirmishing in Virginia along the north side of the James River only miles from the Confederate capital of Richmond. AP said the Confederates had extremely stout defense works, “a very formidable line of works was found, behind which the enemy were posted in heavy force.”

Shelling took its toll, sometimes erupting with little warning. Said AP of one burst of fighting, “A shell from one of the enemy’s battery’s grazed General Meade’s boot leg today; took a piece from the tail of General Humphrey’s horse and entered the ground.”