November 17, 1864, Sherman's Right Wing moved from McDonough enroute to Planter's Factory to make a crossing of the Ocmulgee River. To relieve the heavily
congested Jackson Road, Smith's Division of Blairs 17th Corps with the 1st Missouri
Engineers took the pontoon train and moved east from McDonough on the Keys Ferry Road. On the night of November 17, 1864, Smith's Division camped north of Worthville in extreme SE Henry County.
By the next day November 18, 1864 the Division with the pontoon train had moved
through Iron Springs to Planters Factory by afternoon. They had covered a distance of roughly 12 miles. The two pontoon bridges were up and running with the Right Wing
making the crossing into Jasper County.
Reference:
1. Georgia Historical Marker, Missing from Keys Ferry.
2. O.R. Records Washington DC.
