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Milledgeville's Civil War history falls into two categories: the political activities which occurred here when it was Georgia's Civil War capital, and the occupation Nov. 22-25, 1864 by Gen. W.T. Sherman's split Left Wing, which came together here briefly from Eatonton and Shady Dale to cross the Oconee River. Milledgeville, a planned town inspired by Savannah and Washington, D.C., was the state capital from 1803-68. When the capital was moved to Atlanta in 1868 during Reconstruction, the town experienced economic decline but later rebounded in the early 20th century. Today, Georgia's antebellum capital boasts a wealth of well-preserved Federal-style architecture, enhanced by Greek Revival, Victorian, and Classic Revival houses. Easy to tour on foot and beautiful in the spring, a map and guide to 37 significant sites is available from the Welcome Center at 200 W. Hancock Street, 912-452-4687.

(June 2008) Enlarge Old Governor's Mansion - This Greek Revival mansion, built in 1838, was home to the governors of Georgia from 1838 to 1868. When Sherman occupied the town, he slept in his bedroll on the floor of this historic home, from which the furnishings had been evacuated to Macon along with Gov. Joe Brown. Brown was later arrested at this site in May 1865. This national historic landmark has been restored and furnished in period antiques and is open to tours

(June 2008) Enlarge Old Governor's Mansion

(June 2008) Enlarge Old Governor's Mansion interpretive marker

(June 2008) Enlarge Detail Confederate Memorial near the mansion

(June 2008) Enlarge Another view of the memorial

(June 2008) Enlarge Provost Guard Campsite marker