Headed home to Savannah now for Christmas. I love to tell the story of Savannah being spared and presented as a Christmas gift. Though it was really a war prize and a gold mine of supplies to fund more raping and pillaging, it all the same was spared and remains the most beautiful city in America.
Savannah was spared the wrath of Sherman’s army because it surrendered. Once it surrendered, Sherman had no reason to make war on the city.
The rumor was that Sherman spared Savannah because it was so beautiful.
We just passed through Savannah (our home port) on the way south, trying to find warm.
Besides the surrender, the Gordon family (Juliette’s folks) were good friends of Sherman’s and he enjoyed his days here visiting with them.
What isn’t remembered is that the day after the Union army left Savannah, a fire broke out at the local armory on the west side of town (The area west of MLK). Over 100 buildings burned. The only building left was the Scarboro House. It is not known if the Union army started the fire, Confederates started, or, if it was a horrible accident.