Tag: Old Georgia State Capital

November 23rd, 1864

Nov. 23rd, 1864:

The Left Wing of Sherman’s army moves into and occupies the Georgia State Capital of Milledgeville.  At one point, soldiers occupy the state house building and hold a mock session of the legislature.  They have speeches and vote to repeal secession.  General Sherman takes the Governor’s Mansion as his headquarters.  The Governor had taken all the furnishings with him to Macon leaving the mansion empty.  Sherman slept in his bedroll on the floor.

The Right Wing reaches the Oconee River north east of Macon.  After passing through McIntyre and Toombsboro they are delayed at Ball’s Ferry by stiff Confederate resistance.

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The Georgia’s old Capital building in Milledgeville, was built in 1804 with the first meeting of the legislature happening in 1807.  It was here that Federal troops of Sherman’s Left Wing held a mock congress.
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The old State Capital Building is now part of Georgia Military College.  It houses offices, classrooms and the Old Capital Museum. 
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This was the Governor’s Mansion in Milledgeville.  When the Governor escaped from Milledgeville prior to the arrival of the Federals, he made sure to pack everything, including the furniture for his escape.  General Sherman slept here while the Federals were in town.
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The Oconee River at Ball’s Ferry.  The Federals of the Right Wing arrived here on the 23rd and found the Ferry on the east(right side) bank of the river under a Confederate Guard.  The Federals attempted to cross the river up stream and were able to push the Confederates back for a short time.  The Confederates were reinforced and were then able to drive the Federals back across the river.  By the 25th, the main Federal columns of the Right Wing reached Ball’s Ferry.  They were able to attack the Confederates from the front while another Federal force crossed the river upstream and attacked the Confederate flank forcing a retreat.
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This high ground on the east side of the Oconee River at Ball’s Ferry was once occupied by Confederate forces defending the river crossing.