- The March to the Sea State Historical
Marker
- Located on U.S. 41 at Ga. 138 Spur (North Ave), Jonesboro
(Text)
THE MARCH TO THE SEA
On Nov. 15, 1864, after destroying
Atlanta and cutting his communications with the North, Maj. Gen.
W. T. Sherman, USA, began his destructive campaign for Savannah
-- the March to the Sea. He divided his army [US] into two
wings. The Left wings marched east from Atlanta in two columns,
to feint at Augusta but to turn southeast and converge on Milledgeville.
The Right Wing (15th and 17th Corps),
Maj. Gen. O. O. Howard, USA, marched south from White Hall (West
end), the 15th Corps, Maj. Gen. P. J. Osterhaus, USA, via Old
Jonesboro Road, the 17th Corps, Maj. Gen. F. P. Blair, USA, via
the McDonough road.
The 3rd Cavalry Division, Brig.
Gen. J. L. Kilpatrick, USA, marched past East Point and down
the west bank of Flint river to cover the right flank and "to
feint strongly toward Forsyth, cross the Ocmulgee, (and) move
on Macon as if to attack it."
Near Jonesboro, Murray's brigade
crossed Flint River and met elements of Iverson's small cavalry
division [CS], posted here to watch Sherman's movements. Deploying
the 5th Kentucky and 8th Indiana cavalry regiments, Murray attacked,
drove the Confederate cavalry from the town, and captured three
caissons filled with artillery ammunition.
Next morning, Kilpatrick moved
south through Jonesboro toward Lovejoy's Station (6 Miles S)
where, after skirmishing heavily most of the way, he found Iverson
strongly intrenched.
031-21 GEORGIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 1957
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