Friday, November 21, 2014

November 22, 1864---Abandoning Georgia



NOVEMBER 22, 1864:      

Sherman’s men reach the Georgia State capital of Milledgeville. Governor Joseph Brown and the State legislators flee for their lives but not before passing one final piece of legislation, “The Mass Levy,” essentially drafting every person in the State to fight for Georgia’s defense. Brown, who has been notably recalcitrant in sending State Militia to fight in the national Confederate ranks for the balance of the war, takes a final swipe at Jefferson Davis for “abandoning” Georgia just before he, Brown, abandons Milledgeville. Sherman, for his part leaves the city in ashes.


At the other end of the rail line, General John Bell Hood C.S.A.’s men cross over into Tennessee, hoping to force Sherman to abandon his March To The Sea. Hood is anxious to fight Sherman in open combat. But Sherman has already seen to Hood’s Army of Tennessee, having seconded General George H. Thomas to haunt Hood’s steps. Although Hood could attack Thomas at any time, he continues to ignore the nearby Army of The Cumberland in favor of drawing Sherman’s attention.

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