In January 1865, in Savannah, William T. Sherman issued Special Field Orders, No. 15, authorizing federal authorities to confiscate abandoned plantation lands in the Sea Islands, whose owners had fled with the advance of his army, and redistribute them to former slaves.
In January 1865 in Savannah, William T. Sherman issued Special Field Orders, No. 15, enabling federal authorities to seize and distribute abandoned plantation lands on the Sea Islands to former slaves after their owners had evacuated with the army.