The Savannah and Ogeechee Canal was completed in 1830 after five years of construction using African slave and Irish immigrant labor, including many women. More than sixteen miles long, its depth was kept relatively constant by six locks, four controlling elevation changes and one at each rider's entrance. The canal's flow powered several industries, notably sawmills, as well as cotton, rice, fruit, and brick-making. Although restored after the Civil War, it declined near the end of the 19th century after storm damage, a local yellow fever epidemic blamed on the canal, and increasing competition from railroads. Its western terminus connects to the Ogeechee River just south of the site of Dillon's Bridge. By Wednesday, December 7, 1864, half of Union Major General Peter J. Osterhaus's 15th Corps in the Right Wing of Major General William T. Sherman's army was along the west bank of the Ogeechee River near Blitchton. After finding Jenks' Bridge burned, all four 15th Corps divisions proceeded separately in search of crossings, and Dillon's Bridge became a focal point. Following a sharp skirmish, the division of Brigadier General John M. Corse crossed the Ogeechee River near Blitchton on a pontoon bridge on December 7 and 8, then marched twelve miles south along the river's east bank to find both Dillon's Bridge and a bridge across the canal in flames. After driving away Confederates near the canal, Corse's division entrenched and camped overnight on the canal's north side while the bridge across it was rebuilt. Some of Corse's men swam there, and Osterhaus reported that Corse met Confederates at the Savannah Canal, drove them back to their main line, and assaulted and carried it. After the skirmishing, the canal suffered considerable damage as Federal soldiers dropped trees into it, cut its banks, damaged the lock gates, and seized canal equipment, and Brigadier General William B. Hazen also used the pontoon bridge. Once across the river, most of the 15th Corps marched almost six miles east and entrenched near Salt Creek with Hazen's division in reserve. By December 12, the entire Federal army was in position near Confederate-held Savannah, and Sherman's next move was to make contact with the Federal navy waiting offshore with needed supplies.