Dec. 24, President Lincoln receives Sherman’s telegram. The telegram is published in newspapers across the country. Lincoln replied with “Many, many thanks for your Christmas gift, the capture of Savannah, but what next?”
The March to the Sea is complete. Sherman has reached his goal of Savannah and now has control of the city. Camps are established and order is maintained. Sherman’s Chief Engineer, Orland Poe, is reconstructing and fortifying the cities defenses. The mines and obstructions are removed from the Savannah River and the port is reopened. The citizens are encouraged to go back to life as normal, as as much of normal as can be expected under occupation. Freed Blacks begin working for the Federal Army in various roles and schools are established for them in places that were once used in the slave trade. Sherman rests, repairs, and refits his Army for there is more to come.
In Savannah’s City Walk shopping district sits this historic building. It is the Montmollin Building. The top floor housed one of the largest slave traders in the city. After the Federals arrived and the slaves were freed, the top floor was turned into a school for freed slaves. Looking north on Bay Lane from Drayton Street towards Bull St. This was the heart of Savannah’s Slave trade. This small back alley was the home of many slave brokers and was surrounded by the bankers and lawyers that supported the slave trade.Looking south on Bay Lane from Bull Street towards Drayton Street. The Federals liberated the slaves when they occupied Savannah and put an end to the cruelty that happened here.Confederate dead at Laurel Grove Cemetery in Savannah. Many soldiers made their way here as casualties and were cared for in the cities hospitals.Laurel Grove CemeteryLive Oaks line the road in Bonaventure Cemetery just outside of Savannah.
Dec. 22nd, General Sherman entered Savannah and established his headquarters at the Pulaski House. While working out the details here, an English merchant, Charles Green, offered the General his home as his Headquarters. General Sherman accepted and the Headquarters was moved to the Green House. It was here that Sherman penned his famous telegram to President Lincoln. It read as follows:
“I beg to present you as a Christmas gift the city of Savannah, with one hundred fifty heavy guns and plenty of ammunition, also about twenty-five thousand bales of cotton.”
General Sherman established his headquarters here at the Greene Mansion and stayed in residence here until the moved the Union Army into South Carolina in February of 1865.The Juliette Gordon Low House. The family here had relatives on both sides of the and they were a well know family in Savannah. General Sherman and General O.O. Howard both visited the family. Juliette was a small child and local legend says that she was sitting on the knee of General Howard as he explained that he had lost his arm in battle. Juliette replied in a very innocent way, “Oh, I bet that was may Papa, he has shot lots of Yankee’s”.Factor’s Walk. This area was full of warehouse areas and stores that catered to the shipping industry of Savannah’s port. This area is between the level of River Street and Bay Street. Many people believe that some of the “vaults” built into the bluff were used to house slaves prior to sale, but there have been no primary source documents to prove that belief. Much of the River Street and Factor’s Walk area is paved with cobble stones that came to the port in the form of ballast stones as empty ships came to Savannah to ship out cotton and other items.
Dec. 21st, at 4:00am, Federal forces were met on the outskirts of town by the Mayor and aldermen. They formally surrendered the city and requested protection from the Federal Army. Word was immediately sent to General Sherman, who was meeting with Navy Officers. Sherman was taken back to King’s Bridge. From there he rode into Savannah.
Dec. 17th, General Hardee, commander of the Confederate forces in Savannah, sends a request to Confederate President Jeff Davis for reinforcements from Lee’s Army in Virgina, but receives word that Lee can not spare any troops. General Sherman, knowing he has the upper hand, sends a request for Hardee’s surrender, but it is rejected by Hardee and the siege continues.
Savannah was an important Confederate port, and now with it under siege from General Sherman and no reinforcements coming to aid General Hardee’s defense of the city, Hardee plans to evacuate.
Dec. 13th, Federal forces overwhelm the garrison at Fort McAllister after a spirited fight the fort is captured. Sherman watched the assault from a rice mill across the river. With the Ogeechee River open, supplies begin to flow in to the army. Sherman has a 1000′ long wharf built at King’s Bridge on the Ogeechee River. This area is now a park with a boat ramp where the Hwy. 17 crosses the Ogeechee River.
Fort. McAllister protected the Ogeechee River with these heavy guns. General Sherman needed supplies and in order for the Union Navy to reach Sherman, the Fort had to be captured.Earthworks and artillery protecting the side of the fort vulnerable to attack by land.The structures in the fort were primarily earthen mounds that housed a variety of things, like this hotshot furnace.One of the earthen mounds was the powder magazine and storage area, others served as bunk rooms.Looking west and across the Ogeechee River. General Sherman watched the assault from the tower of a rice mill just across the river.Looking downstream, east, from the site of King’s Bridge toward Fort McAllister.A modern bridge stands where the original bridge was on U.S. 17 at the Ogeechee River. It was here that Sherman had his engineers build a 1000′ foot long wharf in order to bring in supplies from the Union Navy. A community park and boat ramp are now at the site.In 2014 I was fortunate enough to be able to photograph the reenactment of the assault on Fort McAllister. It took place at the original location on the actual anniversary. Here, a Confederate cannon fires on the approaching Federals.More Confederate cannon fire.Federal forces outnumbered the Confederates and were quick to overrun the fort.A Confederate reenactor takes a break between skirmishes.Federal reenactors helping the wounded during the battle.Confederate reenactor keeps watch for approaching Federal troops.Confederate soldier smokes his pipe between firefights.
Dec. 6th and 7th, the Right Wing marched through Bulloch County and crossed the Ogeechee River at Jenks Bridge, the remnants of which are visible today at the Savannah Ogeechee Canal Society park.
Dec. 8th – Dec. 10th, the Left Wing marches toward Savannah passing through Springfield and Ebenezer. At the while meeting more resistance. The Right Wing begins to push elements to the East through Pooler and also faces increased resistance.
Dec. 10th, General Sherman arrives on the outskirts of Savannah’s defenses and begins to plan for siege operations.
War Was Here 