Gordon in Wilkinson County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
The March to the Sea
Photographed By David Seibert, April 1, 2011
1. The March to the Sea Marker
Inscription.
The March to the Sea. . On Nov. 21, 1864, with the arrival of Smith’s Division, 17th Corps, preceded by the 1st Alabama Cavalry [US] which met with only sporadic resistance, the Right Wing (15th and 17th Corps) of General Sherman’s army, which had left Atlanta on Nov. 15th on its destructive March to the Sea, began concentrating around Gordon where it would be in communication with the Left Wing (14th, and 20th Corps), then converging on Milledgeville. , On the 22nd, Hq. Army of the Tennessee (the Right Wing), Maj. Gen. O.O. Howard, USA, Hq. 15th Corps (Osterhaus) and Hq. 17th Corps (Blair) opened here, and Smith’s division, 15th Corps, and Mower’s and Leggett’s divisions, 17th Corps arrived. On the 23rd, the Artillery Brigade and Kilpatrick’s cavalry division reached Gordon. On the 24th, Corse’s division, 15th Corps with the supply trains, a cattle herd and the pontoon train, arrived. Woods’ and Hazen's divisions, 15th Corps, marched to Irwinton on roads south of Gordon and encamped there on Nov. 24th. , Beginning on the 23rd, the Right Wing moved to Oconee River in two columns. The 17th Corps moved along the railroad to cross at Jackson’s Ferry (above the RR bridge). That route proving to be impracticable, the 17th Corps was diverted to Ball’s Ferry (25 miles SE) where, on the 26th, it crossed on pontoon bridges, together with the 15th Corps which had moved via Irwinton. The cavalry moved to Milledgeville for duty with the Left Wing.
On Nov. 21, 1864, with the arrival of Smith’s Division, 17th Corps, preceded by the 1st Alabama Cavalry [US] which met with only sporadic resistance, the Right Wing (15th and 17th Corps) of General Sherman’s army, which had left Atlanta on Nov. 15th on its destructive March to the Sea, began concentrating around Gordon where it would be in communication with the Left Wing (14th, and 20th Corps), then converging on Milledgeville.
On the 22nd, Hq. Army of the Tennessee (the Right Wing), Maj. Gen. O.O. Howard, USA, Hq. 15th Corps (Osterhaus) and Hq. 17th Corps (Blair) opened here, and Smith’s division, 15th Corps, and Mower’s and Leggett’s divisions, 17th Corps arrived. On the 23rd, the Artillery Brigade and Kilpatrick’s cavalry division reached Gordon. On the 24th, Corse’s division, 15th Corps with the supply trains, a cattle herd and the pontoon train, arrived. Woods’ and Hazen's divisions, 15th Corps, marched to Irwinton on roads south of Gordon and encamped there on Nov. 24th.
Beginning on the 23rd, the Right Wing moved to Oconee River in two columns. The 17th Corps moved along the railroad to cross at Jackson’s Ferry (above the RR bridge). That route proving to be impracticable, the 17th Corps was diverted to Ball’s Ferry (25 miles SE) where, on the 26th, it crossed on pontoon bridges, together with the 15th Corps
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which had moved via Irwinton. The cavalry moved to Milledgeville for duty with the Left Wing.
Erected 1957 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 158-7B.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society, and the Sherman’s March to the Sea series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1864.
Location. 32° 52.906′ N, 83° 20.044′ W. Marker is in Gordon, Georgia, in Wilkinson County. Marker is at the intersection of Macon Road and Jackson Street, on the left when traveling north on Macon Road. Marker is now located at the Gordon Train Depot Museum some 13 miles from previous location on Milledgeville Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 90 Jackson Street, Gordon GA 31031, United States of America. Touch for directions.
3. The March to the Sea Marker is now third from left, at new location.
Photographed By David Seibert, April 1, 2011
4. The March to the Sea Marker at former location.
Photographed By David Seibert, April 1, 2011
5. The March to the Sea Marker at former location.
Looking southeast on Milledgeville Road (Georgia Highway 243) at the BASF Kaolin plant, which dominates the town. The marker is third in line of four.
Photographed By David Seibert, April 1, 2011
6. The March to the Sea Marker at former location.
Looking northwest on Milledgeville Road (Georgia Highway 243) toward the intersection with Gray Highway (Georgia Highway 18). The marker is second in the line of four.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 12, 2017. It was originally submitted on April 16, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 735 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos:1. submitted on April 16, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 2, 3. submitted on May 1, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 16, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.