This gracious city’s antebellum prosperity suffered during much of the Civil War as exports of rice and cotton were curtailed by a Union blockade. Savannah fell to Gen. William T. Sherman just before Christmas 1864 following his famous “March to the Sea.” It was from here Sherman telegraphed Lincoln, presenting him “as a Christmas gift, the City of Savannah with 150 heavy guns and plenty of ammunition; and also about 25,000 bales of cotton.”
Sherman quickly prepared for his march into the Carolinas and much of his army left the city in a little more than a month.
For general visitor information: www.savannahvisit.com or 1-877-SAVANNAH. The main visitor center with museum is a good place to start: 301 Martin Luther King Blvd, Savannah 31401. Savannah Walks offers a Civil War oriented tour.
Savannah History Museum
303 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Savannah GA 31401
912-651-6825
Housed in a historic railroad passenger shed (circ 1850s), this museum gives an overview of the city’s history. Open 8:30 am–5 pm Monday–Friday; 9 am–5 pm weekends. $5/adult.
Green-Meldrim House
14 W Macon St, Savannah GA 31401
912-233-3845
Beautiful Gothic-style home was Gen. William T. Sherman’s headquarters while his army occupied the city in December 1864. It’s now the parish house for St. John’s Episcopal Church. Tours Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 10 am–4 pm; Saturday 10 am–1 pm. Closed mid-December through mid-January and the two weeks prior to Easter.
Fort Jackson
1 Fort Jackson Road, Savannah GA 31404
912-232-3945
The oldest standing brick fortification in the state (1808), Fort Jackson was seized by state troops in January 1861. After the fall of Fort Pulaski in 1862, Fort Jackson and a small fleet of ironclads prevented the Union navy from getting too close to Savannah. Confederate soldiers garrisoned the site until Dec 20, 1864, when Sherman entered the city. The defenders abandoned the fort, burning buildings and throwing ammunition into the moat. A short film, exhibits in the casemates, and views from the ramparts are features. Daily living history during the summer. Open daily 9 am–5 pm. $6/adult.
Fort Pulaski National Monument
US 80, Chatham County GA
(about 15 miles east of Savannah)
912-786-5787
Federal Fort Pulaski, guarding the approaches to Savannah since 1847, was taken by a group of Georgians following South Carolina’s secession in December 1860. A year later Union troops gained a foothold on nearby Tybee Island and prepared for an attack on Savannah with Pulaski standing in the way. The Southern garrison in the fort was cut off by the Federals by early 1862 and Union officers demanded the surrender on April 10, 1862. Thought impervious to cannon fire, Fort Pulaski instead proved unable to withstand the Union rifled guns.
The fort was wrecked and surrendered two days later. The Union victory here (the fort was repaired quickly) sealed off Savannah from regular commerce and proved the vulnerability of the old mason forts.
Visitor center offers exhibits and a 17-minute film. Trails explore the fort and the area.
Visitor center open 9 am–5 pm daily. Extended hours during the summer. $5/adult.
Fort McAllister State Historic Site
3894 Fort McAllister Road, Richmond Hill GA 31324
(south of Savannah, about 10 miles east of I-95 exit 90)
912-727-2339
This well-preserved Confederate sand and earth fort on the banks of the Great Ogeechee River guarded the southern approaches to Savannah. Built in 1861, the fort was shelled many times by Union ironclads during the war and survived. It finally was captured from the land side in December 1864 by Sherman’s troops. Museum exhibits and hiking trails are featured. Museum hours 8 am–5 pm daily; park hours 7 am–10 pm. $6.50/adult.