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The Civil War in Georgia, An Illustrated Travelers Guide
By Richard J. Lenz
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Sherpa Guides > Civil War > Coastal Georgia > Savannah
Savannah
Savannah is one of America's great cities and is rich with history from the colonial days to the present. During the Civil War, it was one of the most important cities for the Confederacy, and the goal of Gen. W.T. Sherman's army as he marched to the sea to resupply his men in late 1864. Today it boasts more than 1,200 historic structures, 20 beautiful squares, and much, much more. You can begin your tour by going to the Savannah Visitors Center. Several days are needed to see all the area has to offer. There are some general Civil War sites not to be missed. Factors Walk, located along the river bluff on Bay St., was a 19th century meeting place and center of commerce for cotton merchants. It looks much like it did when Sherman's men occupied the town. The Andrew Low House, 329 Abercorn St., was built in 1848 by a wealthy cotton merchant whose son married Juliette Magill Gordon, founder of the Girl Scouts. The home hosted Robert E. Lee, Union generals, and many other famous people. For tour information, call 912-233-6854. The Juliette Gordon Low birthplace home, 142 Bull St. is also available to tour. Low, as a young girl, is said to have told U.S. Gen. O.O. Howard, who was missing an arm, "I shouldn't wonder if my papa did it! He's shot lots of Yankees!" Sherman visited many times. 912-233-4501. The Olde Pink House, 23 Abercorn St., 912-232-4286, was built in 1771 and used as a headquarters for Union General York. Today it is a restaurant and tavern. The Sorrel-Weed House, 1840, at Harris St. in Madison Square, was the home of G. Moxley Sorrel, who won fame as one of Lee's lieutenants. Sorrel became brigadier general at age 26 and was called the "best staff officer in the Confederate Service." At Bull and Taylor Streets in Monterey Square is the Comer House, where Jefferson Davis was a guest in 1886 for the celebration of the centennial of the Chatham Artillery, during which many parties and celebrations were held. Union Army headquarters for Howard were at Bull St. at Gaston St., named the Jackson House for Henry Jackson, a brigadier general for the Confederacy.
After the war, Gen. Joe Johnston worked and lived in Savannah at 105 E. Oglethorpe Ave., and was visited by many luminaries of the Civil War, including Robert E. Lee, shortly before Lee's death. A marker on the home commemorates this fact. Forsyth Park (Bull St. between Gaston St. and Park Ave.), a 20-acre park laid out in 1851, was a campground for Union soldiers during the occupation of Savannah. A huge Civil War memorial, one of the largest in the South and the most expensive in the state, is located in the park, honoring Chatham's war dead. With thousands of citizens present, the monument was unveiled in 1875, with a statue called "Judgment" on the top and a statue called "Silence" in a cupola. The reaction to the memorial was negative, so a philanthropist stepped forward and the memorial was "fixed" and unveiled a second time in 1879, at a total cost of $35,000. A soldier was on top, the cupola was bricked up, "Silence" was sent to Laurel Grove Cemetery in Savannah, and "Judgment" was sent to Thomasville.
Fort Jackson
1 Fort Jackson Rd., Savannah 912-232-3945
HM, BF, NH, CWF, MUS, GI, MTS
Fort Jackson, one of the interior brick forts guarding Savannah's river approach during the Civil War, was never taken by naval vessels. Today, the nation's oldest standing brick fort houses a museum featuring the naval history of the area and artifacts from the C.S.S. Georgia, scuttled 300 yards away in the Savannah River by evacuating Confederates on Dec. 20, 1864. A red buoy in the river marks the location of Georgia's first ironclad. When Union troops under Sherman first seized Savannah, they occupied Fort Jackson and raised Old Glory over the fort. The iron-ram C.S.S. Savannah, displeased with this display, fired on the Federal troops from the river. The fort has 20-foot high walls, a nine-foot deep moat, and it held nine cannon, including a 32-pounder, the largest blackpowder cannon still fired in the U.S. Fort construction began in 1808 under President Thomas Jefferson's administration, and the fort was inspected by Gen. Robert E. Lee and C.S. President Jefferson Davis during the Civil War.
From Savannah, go east on Bay St. to President St. Ext. towards Tybee Island apx. 2.5 miles from town. Turn left at sign for Fort Jackson.
Green-Meldrim House
St. John's Church, 14 West Macon St., Savannah 912-233-3845
HM, HH, GI, MTS
This Gothic Revival style home, built in 1853 at the princely sum of $93,000, served as the headquarters of Gen. W.T. Sherman from Dec. 22, 1864 to Feb. 1, 1865. Charles Green, an English immigrant and cotton trader who made his fortune with Andrew Low & Company in Savannah, was in Europe in 1861 when the War began. Making his way back to the U.S. through Canada, he was arrested in Detroit, charged with spying, and sent to Fort Warren prison in Boston Harbor for three months. When released, he returned to Savannah.
In December of 1864, when Sherman occupied the town, Green offered his home, considered to be the town's finest, to the General, thinking this would spare it the treatment others had received at the hands of Sherman's army. Sherman accepted, and his men did not disturb Green's possessions. From here, Sherman sent his famous message to President Lincoln, reprinted in many newspapers of the day: "I beg to present to you as a Christmas gift, the City of Savannah with 140 heavy guns and plenty of ammunition and also about 25,000 bales of cotton." While Sherman stayed here, he learned of the death of his son Charles, whom he'd never seen, and planned his march through South Carolina. After the War, Sherman returned to Savannah and stayed again at Green's home. This National Historic Landmark has many fascinating features and is open for tours.
Downtown Savannah at Madison Square.
Savannah Visitors Center & History Museum
301 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. Savannah 912-944-0460
HM, HH, MUS, GI, MTS
This is the place to start your visit to Savannah. The Visitors Center and Museum are housed in the former building of the Central of Georgia Railroad Station, Georgia's first railroad and the first chartered railroad in the U.S. It is located on the ground of an important Revolutionary War battle. Inside are trained personnel, tour guides, brochures and other information, along with a local history museum with displays on the Civil War, a film, and a bookstore. Outside are a variety of tour companies, using transportation ranging from horse-drawn carriages to air-conditioned buses.
I-16 East until it ends in Savannah at Montgomery and Liberty Streets. Turn left onto Liberty St.
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Reader-Contributed Links to the Civil War in Georgia Book:
39th Georgia Volunteer Infantry Regiment - The 39th (and the other regiments in Cumming's Brigade) have been neglected far too defenders of the Confederacy.
44th Georgia Volunteer Infantry Homepage - The official website of the 44th Georgia re-enactors association. History at it's finest. Check us out.
Barrington Hall - Antebellum Home - Barrington Hall in an impressive Antebellum Home located in Roswell, Georgia. It was the home of Barrington King, and influencial man whose linen mills wove the "Confederate Grey" used for military uniforms during the Civil War. Barrington Hall is one of America's best examples of classic Greek Revial architecture and it has been photographed for inclusion in dozens of books and magazines. The home which is still furnished with original family pieces will be opening it's doors for tours in 2003.
battle of midway - Comprehensive information about, the Battle of Midway.
Civil War Collectable on auction - A rare little item that is stamped. Have a look.
Georgia-Civil War-Gen. GORDON - (UNC@Chapel Hill) - REMINISCENCES OF THE CIVIL WAR: Electronic Edition. http://docsouth.unc.edu/gordon/gordon.html
Civil War Generals 2 (Grant-Lee-Sherman) Online Play Site - This site will provide the information you will need to join our CWG2 online community at at over 40 historical battlefields. Test your strategy against skilled, online opponents and see http://groups.msn.com/CWG2
Civil War Era Politics - Site for people interested in the politics that produced the American Civil War. Politics from 1848 to 1877.
Stonewalls Civil War Currency - State issued currency of the individual States of the Confederacy including many notes of Georgia.
TN Tent #4, Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War - The Tennessee Tent #4, Major Belle Reynolds, Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War, (Detached) would like to invite anyone that is of direct descent of a Union Veteran to join us in honoring our ancestors. Info and details are on our web site. Check us out!
Historical Maps of the United States - A list of Historical Maps of the U.S. with pricing information.
General James Longstreet - Biography of this pivotal Georgia general
Battle of Shiloh - 140th Anniversary of the Battle of Shiloh Reenactment video. Best documentary ever on the Battle of Shiloh. One hour long video. Its Great!
17th Georgia Volunteer Infantry - Unit primarily raised in Muscogee County (Columbus) and the surrounding area.
3rd Georgia Volunteer Infantry - Website devoted to the history of the 3rd Georgia Volunteer Infantry regiment of the Army of Northern Virginia during the Civil War. Unit history, rosters, reenactor information, etc.
Home of the 4th Illinois Cavalry - The flags of Illinois Infantry, Cavalry and Artillery regiments were carried by Illinois soldiers through the most famous battles of the Civil War. At the end of the War the majority of the flags were returned to the State and are now in Memorial Hall
Remembering the American Civil War Interactive CD-Rom Set - An exclusive limited-edition CD-Rom Set commemorating the American Civil War. Relive this historic event today!
Americana Exchange Rare Books - Website for collectors of antiquarian and rare books. Features an online database reference library of Americana bibliographies. Search for references to old and often forgotten books from the past. Seach fields include the Civil War.
Americus Garden Inn Bed & Breakfast - While immersing yourself in the historical perspective of Andersonville, enhance your experience by staying in a beautifully restored 1847 antebellum mansion in nearby Americus which is now an 8-room Bed & Breakfast. The first family to live in the home was that of James Kelso Daniel. According to numerous sources, his son, Henry Kelso Daniel, was last recorded as Quartermaster on duty in Americus in January 1865. Could he have been connected to Andersonville? How about his brother, John Charles, who was just a teenager and a member of the Dixie Guard? Allow your imagination to soar. Just 1/4 mile from the inn, is the Georgia Historic Trust award-winning Oak Grove Cemetery, where many unknown Civil War soldiers from Andersonville have been laid to rest. For more information on the inn, please visit our website.
The Civil War in the Shenandoah Valley - Georgia troops played a big part in the five Shenandoah Valley campaigns. The 64 Valley Campaign was being waged at the same time as the Atlanta campaign and the results of these companion actions led to the reelection of President Abraham Lincoln. This is the most complete site on the Internet for information about the War Between the States in this vital theater.
Confederate Soldiers Buried in Massanutten Cemetery - Following the end of the WBTS most of the bodies of Northern troops who died in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, were disinterred and moved to one of several National Cemeteries. However, the bodies of Confederates continued to rest where they had been hastily buried. In the 1890s the people of the town of Woodstock established an area in the newly built Massanutten Cemetery to bury these brave men. This site is dedicated to those brave soldiers. Several are from George including a Colonel.
Black Confederates - Site contains information on Black Confederates in Southern Armies.
Captain Phillip's Charters and Tours - Explore the Georgia Coast like never before. Private boat charters and tours of the rivers, marsh and barrier islands. The spacious cabin is perfect for sightseeing in almost any weather or choose the unobstructed view from the topside. Sunset Cruise, Nature Tours, Historic Tours or just relax and enjoy the beauty of the Golden Isles where the galley and Captain's Locker are always stocked with beverages and snacks that are open to you at no extra charge. If you enjoy inshore fishing, bring along your gear or use ours and we will drop a line over the side.
Civil War Album - Over 3,700 modern photos of American Civil War sites
The Atlanta Campaign, a Virtual Tour - October 2002 photos of Atlanta Campaign sites
Civil War Books, Movies, Videos, Photographs and more - The leading supplier of Civil War Books, Movies, Videos, Photographs, Clothing, and everything else you can think of
Signal Corps Association (1860-1865) - A Study and living history organization researching and Cipher" a monthly publications since 1987. 3.3.3.
ClickEngine Civil War Channel - ClickEngine Civil War Cahnnel is a resource for civil war sites and links, suggest a civil war site.
Georgia Historical Markers - Fulton County - Most if not all of the links under Fulton County, GA are sites of important Civil War battles or places.
Georgia Historical Markers - Best place to learn more about Georgia's historical markers
Celebrity Civil War Document Network - The celebrities in the civil war were often nude but no document network as present to deliver the pictures.
The Civil War Lady: What They Wore From Head To Toe! - Indepth descriptions of women's clothing, fashions and customs during the Civil War Era!
Georgia Civil War Heritage Trails - Georgia Civil War Heritage Trails® interprets the history of Georgia's Civil War era, while leading visitors on an experience back in time. Utilizing routes once traveled by soldiers wearing Blue or Gray, hundreds of colorful highway directional "trailblazer" signs lead motorists to nearly 100 new interpetive markers chronicling the Atlanta Campaign and March to the Sea. In addition to military history, many other topics are interpreted, including the roles of women, African-Americans, hospitals, churches, and railroads. Each interpretive marker is "linked" along a given route to existing national & state parks, museums, and other Civil War era attractions. Georgia Civil War Heritage Trails also highlights various preservation opportunities, with many scenic and cultural benefits.
Greybird Relics - Includes a virtual online museum of Civil War artifacts found in Georgia.
Civil War Era Politics - Site for people interested in the politics that produced the American Civil War. Politics from 1848 to 1877.
All you Civil War products under one roof - JDS Commerce - Quit searching... your Civil War shopping mall is here..
The Bishop-General Leonidas Polk Memorial Web Page - The Sewanee On-Line History Project examines the Southern Prophet and Christian Martyr, Leonidas Polk, who was killed during the Atlanta Campaign.
PageSurf Civil War Directory - Pagesurf Civil War Directory is a resource for civil war sites and links.
Port Columbus National Civil War Naval Museum - Brand new 40,000 square foot museum dedicated to telling the Naval story of the American Civil War. Located in Columbus, Georgia, not far from Fort Benning. Only 1 1/2 hours from Atlanta. A world class facility featuring the largest remaining ironclad from the Civil War, the CSS Jackson. Also, the museum features three replica ships and a battle simulator. Call 706-327-9798 for more information.
Sherman's March: Final Revenge - "Sherman's March: Final Revenge" is an online documentary about Sherman's march from Savanah in December of 1864 through South Carolina and the burning of Columbia.
Civil War Art - This site contains extensive original civil war illustrations created by eye-witnesses. These illustrations appeared in the pages of Harper's Weekly, the most popular illustrated newspaper of the day.
Robert E. Lee Historical Preservation Site - This site has extensive research material on General Robert E. Lee
Line of Muskets - Play the great battles of the American Civil War online. You can play from Bull Run to Antietam. For the larger battles multiple players are required on both sides. Realistic strategy and tactics required to play properly and win.
Heartland of the Confederacy Civil War Trail - Four dozen sites in Athens and surrounding areas explore the lives of leaders such as Alexander Stephens, James Longstreet, Crawford Long, Henry W. Grady, and members of the Cobb family.
W. T. Sherman - Lancaster, Ohio General W. T. Sherman's hometown has information on the General in his family via links to sites on the internet, books in the local library, information about the Sherman House. The site is one of the most comprehensive General W.T. Sherman informational sites on the web.
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Published (print): 1996, Published (Web): September 2000, Revised (Web): November 2002, ISBN: 0-96503-050-4
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