Middle Georgia West was an important area for the Confederacy during the Civil War. Here the terrain changes from the wooded, hilly piedmont in the north, to the agricultural plains in the south. The beautiful Chattahoochee and Flint rivers wind through this area to the Gulf of Mexico. Columbus was the second most important industrial town for the Confederacy, producing everything from fifes to cannon to Confederate battleships. The Confederate Naval Museum here, with the salvaged remains of two Confederate warships, is a highlight. The most successful Union cavalry raid made during the Civil War happened in this area under Gen. James H. Wilson and the last important land battle occurred in Columbus when Wilson attacked the town on April 16, 1865. Cavalry battles also occurred at West Point, Newnan, and other smaller towns. The most notorious Civil War prison camp was located at Anderson-ville, today a National Historic Site. In this region, you find towns which served as hospital centers because of their location on strategic rail lines. Many of these retain much of their antebellum character and have Civil War markers, monuments, Cemeteries and historic homes to tour.
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