On Dec. 6 1864, the 15th Corps [US], under Maj. Gen. P. J. Osterhaus, USA, formed the extreme right of Gen. Sherman's army on its March to the Sea, forced a crossing of the Great Ogeechee River at Jenk's Bridge east of Blitchton, and drove Confederate defenders toward Savannah. Corse's division crossed and occupied Eden, while Smith's division remained on the west bank with the corps trains. With Hazen's and Woods' divisions, Osterhaus moved down the west bank, directing Hazen to take the bridge over the Canoochee River east of Bryan Court House and Woods to prepare crossings over the Ogeechee at Fort Argyle and on the charred ruins of Dillon's bridge at the mouth of the canal. On the 8th, Corse moved down the east bank to this point, found the bridge over the canal in flames, rebuilt it, and camped there for the night. On the 9th, Smith arrived with the corps trains, and Corse moved forward to the Darien road, defeated a small Confederate force entrenched astride both roads, and drove it toward Savannah. On the 10th, Corse moved north of the Little Ogeechee River, followed by Hazen, who, having secured the bridge over the Canoochee, had crossed the Ogeechee at Dillon's Bridge. Smith moved north along the canal, followed by Woods, who had crossed the Ogeechee at Fort Argyle. That night, Corse, Woods, and Smith were in line facing the strong Confederate works along Salt Creek, with Hazen in reserve at the Little Ogeechee.