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Photo Gallery: Ben Hill School/Birthplace of Benjamin
Harvey Hill/Across the Ocmulgee
Birthplace
of Benjamin Harvey Hill marker text:
Senator Benjamin Harvey Hill (1823-1882), first to proclaim
the New South industrial rather than agricultural, was born one mile from
here. When he was 12 years old his father, John Hill, moved with his family
to Long Cane, Troup County. Sen. Hill, opposing secession, became one of the
leaders of the Confederacy and was considered the ablest supporter of
President Jefferson Davis. A silver-tongued-orator, he was instrumental in
the removal of Federal troops from the South after the war. The Hill home
has been reclaimed. This town, Hillsboro, was named for Isaac Hill, pioneer
settler.
079-3 Georgia Historical Commission 1957
Across the Ocmulgee marker text:
Late on Nov. 17, 1864, the 29th Missouri Mounted Infantry
seized the ferry at Planters' Factory (Ocmulgee Mills) on the Ocmulgee River
at Seven Islands (12 miles NW) to secure it for the crossing of the Right
Wing of General Sherman's army into Jasper County. Next day, the 1st
Missouri Engineers laid two pontoon bridges at the site and the crossing
began.
Smith's division, 15th Corps, crossed first and halted two miles toward
Hillsboro to wait for Kilpatrick's cavalry division to cross and pass to the
front. Blair's 17th Corps crossed and marched via Monticello to avoid
Hillsboro. Early on the 19th, Kilpatrick crossed and took the advance. Smith
moved through Hillsboro and camped near the county line. Woods' and Hazen's
divisions, 15th Corps, and the Artillery Brigade followed and camped in and
around Hillsboro. Hq. Right Wing (Howard) and Hq. 15th Corps (Osterhaus)
were established here for the night.
Heavy rains having made the roads extremely difficult, the crossing was not
completed until after noon on the 20th when Corse's division, 15th Corps,
crossed, took up the bridges and, encumbered with wagon trains, a cattle
herd and the pontoons, moved to Monticello and encamped. That day, Smith,
Woods and Hazen moved to Clinton and Blair to Blountsville (11 miles SE on
US 129). Gorse reached Hillsboro on the 21st.
079-10 Georgia Historical Commission 1957
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