During the winter of 1863-1864, a Federal advance position was maintained at Ringgold Gap while the main force was concentrated at Chattanooga. Sherman moved south through the gap on May 7, 1864, to begin the Atlanta Campaign. He captured Atlanta four months later on September 2 and reached the coast at Savannah on December 21. This movement split the Confederacy in two, destroyed military resources and centers of supply, and hastened the end of the war.