On Nov. 15th, after destroying Atlanta and cutting his communications with the North, Maj. Gen. W. T. Sherman, USA, began his March to the Sea. His army moved in two wings. The Left Wing marched east from Atlanta in two columns, to feint at Augusta then turn southeast and converge on Milledgeville. The Right Wing, under Maj. Gen. O. O. Howard, USA, marched south via McDonough, crossed the Ocmulgee River near Jackson, and moved toward Gordon, where on the 22nd it would be in communication with the Left Wing at Milledgeville. The 15th Corps under Osterhaus moved via Clinton, from which Smith’s and Corse’s divisions moved to Gordon, while Blair’s 17th Corps and Woods and Hazen moved toward Irwinton on the old Clinton-Irwinton road. On the 21st, Woods camped at the railroad, 13 miles east of Macon. Hazen camped with headquarters of the 15th Corps at Pitt's Chapel, 3 1/2 miles north of the railroad. On the 22nd, Woods sent Walcutt’s brigade to Griswoldville, 9 miles east of Macon, where it was engaged with the 1st Division, Georgia Militia, in the Battle of Griswoldville. On Nov. 24th, Woods and Hazen, en route to Ball’s Ferry, 14 miles east on the Oconee River, camped at Irwinton. Smith and Corse arrived from Gordon the next day. By the morning of the 26th, the 15th Corps had arrived at the ferry and was ready to cross the Oconee River and continue its destructive march toward Savannah.