Sherman Presents Savannah to Lincoln as a Gift

December 22nd, 1864

December 22nd, 1864

Sherman Presents Savannah to Lincoln as a Gift
How Long Ago?

160 years, 2 months, 21 days ago

Location

Savannah, Georgia, United States

Category

Military & Warfare

War/Conflict

American Civil War

People
  • William Tecumseh Sherman
  • Joseph E. Johnston
  • Abraham Lincoln
  • William Hardee
Links & References
Tags

Sherman Presents Savannah to Lincoln as a Gift

General William Tecumseh Sherman captured the city of Savannah, Georgia, bringing a strategic victory to the Union forces during the American Civil War. After his famous March to the Sea, Sherman’s Army of the Tennessee besieged Savannah and secured its surrender on December 21, 1864. On December 22, he communicated with President Abraham Lincoln, humorously offering Savannah as a Christmas gift amid the ongoing conflict. The capture of Savannah marked a significant moment in the war, effectively cutting off Confederate supply lines and showcasing the Union's military prowess.

Savannah was a critical Confederate port city.

Sherman's army executed a successful siege on Savannah.

The city was surrendered on December 21, 1864.

Lincoln received it as a Christmas gift from Sherman.

What Happened?

The fall of Savannah, Georgia, was a pivotal moment in the American Civil War, resulting from General William Tecumseh Sherman's military campaign known as the March to the Sea. After successfully marching from Atlanta to Savannah, Sherman's forces faced little resistance as they approached the city. The Confederate forces, led by General Hardee, were largely outnumbered and ill-prepared, leading to the surrender of Savannah on December 21, 1864. This victory granted the Union a key strategic port and disrupted Confederate supply lines significantly.

The day following the surrender, Sherman sent a telegram to President Abraham Lincoln, playfully framing the city as a Christmas gift. This correspondence not only underscored the successful military strategy employed by Sherman but also highlighted the deeper psychological warfare at play, as the Union aimed to break the will of the Confederacy during the holiday season. Lincoln’s reception of this message underscored the importance of the victory, both as a symbol of hope to the Northern populace and as a strategic military gain.

The capture of Savannah enabled Union forces to cut off critical supply routes, further isolating the Confederate states and crippling their capacity to sustain the war. Sherman's relentless tactics, involving total war against both military and civilian resources, fundamentally shifted the course of the war, contributing to the eventual surrender of the Confederacy in 1865.

Why Does it Matter?

The fall of Savannah to Union forces during the Civil War is significant on multiple levels. It not only represented a major military victory but also had a profound psychological impact on both the North and South. It illustrated the effectiveness of Sherman’s strategy of total war, which aimed to diminish the Confederacy’s will to fight. This event also symbolized the Union’s growing strength and determination as the war progressed, paving the way for future successes in the conflict.

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