Jencks Bridge

JENCKS BRIDGE. 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 [Union] into two wings. The Left Wing (14th and 20th Corps), Maj. Gen. H.W. Slocum, USA, moved east from Atlanta in two columns which converged on Milledgeville, crossed the Ogeechee River near Louisville, then marched toward Savannah by two routes: the 14th Corps (Davis) on the old road near the Savannah River (Ga.

24), the 20th Corps (Williams) via Springfield. Both corps approached Savannah via Monteith. Gen. Sherman accompanied the Left Wing as far as Sandersville. The Right Wing (15 and 17th Corps), Maj. Gen. O.O. Howard, USA, marched south via Gordon and crossed the Oconee River at Ball's Ferry. The 17th Corps (Blair) moved on roads south of the Central Railroad until opposite Midville, crossed the Ogeechee River there, and moved via Millen and Eden, destroying the railroad enroute.

Gen. Sherman accompanied the 17th Corps from Tennille to the outskirts of Savannah. The 15th Corps, Maj. Gen. P.J. Osterhaus, USA, moved in two columns, the right via Statesboro, reaching the Ogeechee River here at Jencks Bridge on Dec. 6th. Finding the bridge burned, a pontoon bridge was laid. Rice's brigade crossed, drove back the defenders [Confederate] with minor losses, and moved to Eden to join Woods' brigade, which had crossed 3 miles upstream at Wright's Bridge.

015-10 GEORGIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 1963