November 18th, 1864:
The Left Wing continues to move towards Milledgeville. General Sherman is still traveling with the 14th Corps and they turn south from the area of Covington and move towards Milledgeville via Shady Dale. The 20th Corps moved on Madison where they destroyed the railroad and Geary’s Division was sent to the Oconee River to destroy the bridges crossing. After the completed their assignments, the 20th Corps was to move south through Eatonton to link up with the 14th Corps near Milledgeville. The Right Wing crosses the Ocmulgee River and begin moving south east. They are working their way toward Monticello and toward Clinton, which is just north east of Macon.
The Federals process of foraging was in full swing. The “Bummers” as they were often called, would leave the camps in the morning ahead of the main column and move out to the flanks. Along the flanks they would visit every home and plantation and take their food and livestock. There are many accounts of the”Bummers” also taking personal items and random keepsakes. There are even accounts of the soldiers stealing and wearing ladies dresses. For the most part, if there was more food than the soldiers could carry or use, they would destroy it so it would be of no use to an Confederates that may come around.
War Was Here 