Ball's Ferry, named for Revolutionary War soldier John Ball, operated on the Oconee River from about 1806 until 1939, but in November 1864 the quiet crossing became a battleground during the March to the Sea. Recognizing its importance, Georgia Inspector and Adjutant General Henry C. Wayne reached the Oconee River on November 21st with a mixed force of state units, cadets, pardoned prisoners, and guards, on the last Confederate train to leave Gordon safely as the Federal Right Wing entered the town. Reinforcements increased Wayne's command to perhaps 1,200 men to defend the river against about 27,000 Federals. He placed his main defense at the Central Railroad of Georgia bridge about eight miles upstream from Ball's Ferry, but because a Federal crossing at the ferry would turn his left flank, he detached 80 infantrymen, some cavalry, and two cannon to guard it. On November 23rd, troops of the Federal 17th Corps approached the west end of the railroad bridge, found it strongly defended, and judged the surrounding terrain unfavorable, though the approach to Ball's Ferry was good. A Federal scouting party then forced a crossing at Ball's Ferry, and Wayne quickly sent about 200 additional men under Major Alfred L. Hartridge. After a sharp skirmish, the Confederates re-secured the east bank of the Oconee River. The strong Confederate defense at the railroad bridge persuaded Union Major General Oliver O. Howard to outflank Wayne. He ordered the 17th Corps to march south from the bridge to join the 15th Corps already at Ball's Ferry, but by November 25th Wayne had strengthened his position there enough to impede their advance. Howard then directed the 15th Corps to extend along the river until Wayne's much smaller force was outflanked. About two miles north of Ball's Ferry, around 200 men from the newly arriving 17th Corps crossed the swift river with ropes, and Wayne ordered an overnight withdrawal to avoid encirclement. On November 26th, Federal forces built two pontoon bridges at Ball's Ferry, and by nightfall the entire Right Wing had crossed the Oconee River. After burning the railroad bridge Wayne had defended, the Federals marched northeast toward Irwin's Cross Roads and Tennille Station, completing the crossing of a second major river during the March to the Sea, with only the Ogeechee River still ahead.