Across the Ocmulgee

Late on Nov. 17, 1864, the 29th Missouri Mounted Infantry seized the ferry at Planters’ Factory, also called Ocmulgee Mills, on the Ocmulgee River at Seven Islands, twelve miles northwest, to secure it for the crossing of the Right Wing of General Sherman’s army into Jasper County. The next day, the 1st Missouri Engineers laid two pontoon bridges there and the crossing began. Smith’s division of the 15th Corps crossed first and halted two miles toward Hillsboro to wait for Kilpatrick’s cavalry division to cross and pass to the front. Blair’s 17th Corps crossed and marched by way of Monticello to avoid Hillsboro. Early on the 19th, Kilpatrick crossed and took the advance. Smith moved through Hillsboro and camped near the county line. Woods’ and Hazen’s divisions of the 15th Corps and the Artillery Brigade followed and camped in and around Hillsboro. Headquarters of the Right Wing under Howard and headquarters of the 15th Corps under Osterhaus were established there for the night. Heavy rains made the roads extremely difficult, and the crossing was not completed until after noon on the 20th, when Corse’s division of the 15th Corps crossed, took up the bridges and, encumbered with wagon trains, a cattle herd, and the pontoons, moved to Monticello and encamped. That day, Smith, Woods, and Hazen moved to Clinton and Blair to Blountsville, eleven miles southeast on U.S. 129. Corse reached Hillsboro on the 21st.

Georgia · United States