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.
