(Text)
- THE MARCH TO THE SEA
On Nov. 15, 1864, after destroying
Atlanta and cutting his communications with the North, Maj. Gen.
W. T. Sherman, USA, began his destructive Campaign for Savannah
-- the March to the Sea. He divided his army [Union] into two
wings. The Left Wing (14th and 20th Corps), Maj. Gen. H.W. Slocum,
USA, moved east from Atlanta in two columns which converged on
Milledgeville, cross the Ogeechee River near Louisville, then
march toward Savannah by two routes: the 14th Corps (Davis) on
the old road near the Savannah River (Ga 24), the 20th Corps
(Williams) via Springfield. Both corps approached Savannah via
Monteith. Gen. Sherman accompanied the Left Wing as far as Sandersville.
The Right Wing (15th and 17th Corps),
Maj. Gen. O. O. Howard, USA, marched south via Gordon and crossed
the Oconee River at Ball's Ferry. The 15th Corps (Osterhaus)
marched on roads west of the Ogeechee River, its right through
Statesboro. The 17th Corps, Maj. Gen. F.P. Blair, USA, accompanied
by Gen. Sherman and his staff, crossed the Ogeechee River at
Midville, marched SE on the present Ga. 17 and destroyed the
Central Railroad from Midville to near Savannah. It crossed the
present US 301 at this point (Coopersville) on Dec. 4th. That
day, the 14th Corps (the extreme left) was march on the Old Savannah
Road (Ga. 24), the 20th Corps was on the Middle Ground Road (7
miles N), and the 15th Corps (the extreme right) was on the Old
Milledgeville Road, between Statesboro and the Ogeechee River.
124-25 GEORGIA HISTORICAL
COMMISSION 1958
© Carl Vinson Institute of Government,
University of Georgia
Go to Screven County Historical Markers page
Go to Georgia Historical Markers web site
|
