On Nov. 15, 1864, after destroying Atlanta and cutting his communications with the North, Maj. Gen. W.T. Sherman, USA, began his Campaign for Savannah, the March to the Sea, dividing his army into two wings. The Left Wing, the 14th and 20th Corps under Maj. Gen. H.W. Slocum, USA, moved east from Atlanta in two columns that converged on Milledgeville, crossed the Ogeechee River near Louisville, and marched toward Savannah by two routes, the 14th Corps on the old road near the Savannah River and the 20th Corps via Springfield, with both approaching Savannah via Monteith; Sherman accompanied this wing as far as Sandersville. The Right Wing, the 15th and 17th Corps under Maj. Gen. O.O. Howard, USA, marched south by way of Jackson and Gordon and crossed the Oconee River at Ball's Ferry. The 15th Corps marched on roads west of the Ogeechee River, while the 17th Corps under Maj. Gen. F.P. Blair, USA, after being joined by Sherman and his staff at Tennille, moved on roads south of the railroad and Williamson Swamp Creek until opposite Burton, Station 9 1/2, CRR. On the 30th the 17th Corps crossed the Ogeechee River and Sherman's headquarters were established at Burton, where that night the depot and other railway facilities were completely destroyed. The next morning the 17th Corps moved east on the present Ga 17 toward Savannah, and that night camped at Herndon Station 9, CRR, after stripping the country of provisions.