20-21 December 1864 THE COMING STORM

Barrycdog

Major
Joined
Jan 6, 2013
Location
Buford, Georgia
THE COMING STORM
20 December 1864
General Sherman arrived at Port Royal at 8:00AM. After breakfast and a casual inspection of the post, he and Foster sat down for a serious discussion. Foster agreed to “give his personal attention” to cutting the vital Confederate communication link. Sherman offered more men and equipment sever the “Union Cause way at Hardeeville. These discussions kept Sherman at Port Royal all day. While Sherman was docking at Port Royal, Savannah’s evacuation had begun. Long lines of military supply wagons lumbered over the floating bridge to safety. Occasionally a civilian carriage, for those lucky or wealthy enough to obtain a passport would cross the bridge. Very few Savannahian’s left initially. Most hoped for unknown reasons, that their city would somehow be spared. Soldiers in the defenses had been issued rat tail files used to spike artillery pieces. The can be done by blocking or greatly widening a hole drilled in each barrel used to insert the blasting cap that ignites the gun powder, rendering the cannon useless. All of the light, portable artillery would be evacuated. The larger caliber guns would stay and eventually be spiked. Ammunition restrictions for these batteries were lifted. Heavy cannonading began all throughout the line on both sides. Southern Officers began to receive official orders to destroy all immovable Confederate equipment and prepare lighter equipment for evacuation out of the city. One Commander that did not have enough horses to take everything decided to first load bedding and provisions to be given the soldiers families inside the city. At least their women and children would have something to eat and a shield from the cold ground if the invaders forced them to flee. For Colonel Carmen and his men in South Carolina, it was a very difficult day. Confederate resistance was now stronger than any they had seen since leaving Atlanta. A Rebel gunboat reached them and began to shell their toe hold on Carolina soil using massive shells and firing in almost every direction. Only the lowering tide forced the ship to retreat. For Carmen’s men, what began as “a grand adventure” was now, anything but. However, those troops and their Commander had little understanding of the impact they were having in the broader scale of this siege. A now frantic Colonel Carmen sent off multiple dispatches for reinforcements, receiving no reply. He was convinced that his earlier zeal would be the cause of their destruction. Carmen did receive reports that something in Savannah might be happening. From his lines, Carmen could see wagons exiting the city in great numbers. Carmen climbed into the loft of a barn and witnessed the exodus himself. Inside the city, a crowd of women gathered at the city’s main arsenal with pails because they were told there were provisions inside. Until convinced otherwise, this group intended in taking the arsenal by force. The daughters of an artillery commander helped their father hand out hoarded clothes and blankets to his men. Signal Corps Officers began burning dispatches. The question inside the city was what would be the fate of the women and children as the memory of Atlanta weighed heavily on their minds. Some Confederate soldiers, “sick of war and the rebel cause” began to defect into Federal lines. Deserters told Federal officers that the mood inside the city leaned toward surrender to avoid the fate suffered by Atlanta. General Geary confirmed that a pontoon bridge had been built and that an evacuation of the city had begun.
General Sherman began his journey back from Port Royal at 5 PM. Weather conditions worsened causing the return trip to be rougher and longer. As darkness fell inside the city, light artillery was withdrawn from the defenses and quietly rolled across the bridge to safety in Hardeeville. The City’s Alderman met with Mayor Richard D. Arnold at the City Exchange Building on Bay Street where they were officially told of the Army’s evacuation. The Alderman now knew that the safety of the city and its citizens, was now solely in their hands. An officer had given them a copy of Sherman’s surrender demand, so they knew full well, Sherman’s intentions. The Mayor and Alderman decided to form a small delegation, headed by Mayor Arnold out into Federal lines to surrender the city. For the Blue coated soldiers, this was not a time of euphoria. They now realized that they might soon assault headlong through waist deep water, the defenses of Savannah. Many would not survive the next 24 hours. Soldiers now clumsily drilled with ladders built to scale the Confederate works in front of them knowing that their officers were serious in their preparation which controlled their fate. A Wisconsin soldier wrote, “When we came to think how the Confederates could sweep the surface of the water with their cannons and that those only slightly wounded must surely drown in their helplessness, the prospect of such a large charge was not pleasing to us at all. I could not go to sleep for a long time after that.” Hardee ordered that from 8 to 10:00 PM, troops in the various river forts would spike their guns , dump ammunition into the water and evacuate. No fires were to be made to alert the Federals of the withdrawal. The Southern section of the line, General Wrights 4,000 troops were to spike their guns and evacuate leaving a small screening force in place until 10:30 PM. One of Wrights soldiers later wrote “I have no words to picture the gloomy bitterness that filled my breast on that dreary march through water mud and darkness.” The city council meeting, heard from Savannah River Squadron Captain Joshiah Tattnall. Angry voices arose when he informed them of his plan to burn unfinished vessels in the shipyard. The council members worried of the flames destroying nearby homes. Tattnall agreed to, if the alderman could supply the men, they would destroy the ships without burning them. As they debated the point, fires were being set by retreating Army troops. Three alderman set off to organize a bucket brigade to extinguish the flames. In Savannah, the provost details were heavily outnumbered by looters in the downtown district. Men women and children began to smash windows and doors of shops taking anything and everything they could get their hands on. Some of the Confederate river batteries began to empty all of their ordinance into the Federal lines. General Hardee and his staff departed Savannah on the steamer ship Swan at 9:00 PM. A small detachment of his staff stayed in the city to supervise the evacuation of the skirmish lines across the bridge. The sick and wounded were left inside the city. At 10:00 PM, General McLaws 4,000 troops holding the crucial center of the line, started their evacuation. One soldier wrote later that “Our campfires were left burning and our entire army marched into Savannah. I will never forget the event.” When the hour for Bakers North Carolina troops to depart, the band launched into a rousing rendition of “Dixie”. Yankee pickets shouted from their posts “Played out! Played Out!” One of McLaws men later wrote “The route into the city “lined by great live oaks with their long festoons of waving moss and vines which swing backward and forward, in the pale moonlight and seemed to be ghosts of out departed hopes.” Sherman’s trip aboard the Harvest Moon was delayed greatly by the same wind, and would keep him from arriving in the Savannah area until dawn. The weather being of no great consequence, causing his travel delay, Sherman wrongly believed there would be not any dramatic action on either side for at least 24 hours. General Smith was to take northern sector, the final piece of the city’s defense and begin his 2,500 troops movement out of the line and into the city starting at 11:00 PM. Guns would be spiked at midnight and skirmishes would leave an hour later. A native Georgian wrote “ desperate to think that after 4 years of service , I have to leave my native state to the mercy of a ruthless enemy.” As army’s entered the city intertwined with one another, the scene in the city was note by a soldier “ as we passed through the city, guns were firing in every direction, doors were being knocked down, women and children were screaming and the devil to pay generally.” Another wrote, “The night was exceedingly dark and everywhere seemed to move without system or direction. In the city, as we passed through, men were discharging their fire arms and making the night hideous with their oaths and blasphemies; horsemen galloped about apparently without object and women going hither and thither. On the roadside and along the pontoons, all night, men and horses were strewn in confusion some struggling in mud and water; others worn down with fatigue, and perhaps sick at heart and in body resting or sleeping.”


21 December 1864
In the early morning hours, General Geary could hear faint sounds that could have been troop movement in the city. Colonel Carmen could hear “the curses and yells and tramping of men.” As Confederate units got word to begin to pull back, one officer went forward to retrieve his men only to find that they had all disappeared “to parts unknown”, except for one tried and true soldier. The officer confided in the soldier saying “Now I don’t know what to do!” The soldiers reply was brief, “OBEY ORDERS!” Around 1:00AM, the chaos of the last few hours subsided, the city was now ghostly quiet. All that could be heard was the sound of jostling men and the rumble of artillery crossing the wooden bridge. Federal pickets began to explore to their front, the works just ahead of them and found them empty. Holding the line in the most direct route into the city, was General John Geary’s 102nd New York Infantry. When “Johnny calls” to the grey troops failed to get a response, a 10 man patrol was sent forward to investigate as to why. SGT Alexander Hunt reported at 3:00AM that the entire area was clear of any Confederates. The quick decision was made to rush forward and find the enemy. In the Savannah River the River Squadron was dying. The Iron clad CSS Georgia, built with money raised by the ladies of Savannah, but who’s design was so heavy the engine could not push it through the current of the Savannah River rendering it almost useless. The ship was docked in the river adjacent to Ft Jackson to prevent Federal ships from entering the Savannah harbor area. The mighty ironclad anti climactically sunk to the bottom of the river by her crew opening its valves and flooding the vessel. The wooden gunboat Isondiga, grounded just north of the bridge to protect the crossing, was set ablaze by the crew and exploded before dawn. The steamer Firefly and the Iron clad CSS Savannah were still afloat at dawn, the iron clad stuck in the river bank trying to avoid Savannah’s river defenses near Ft Jackson. Heading toward Savannah, at the head of Geary’s “flying column” was the 102nd New York Infantry with Sergeant Hunt in front leading the way. SGT Hunt recalled” Soon we met two men, coming toward us in a buggy excitedly waving a white flag. We sent them to the rear guar and hurried on. It was still dark. A few shots were fired at us from the brush; but we did not stop.” The two men were part of the mayors surrender party who had gotten separated from the mayor. They were of no use to Geary who met with them, because they had not the authority to surrender the city. Another carriage was intercepted along the Louisville Road at the intersection of Louisville Road and East Lathrop Avenue then called the Augusta Road, one half mile distance from Boundary Street, the outer defenses of the city. The modern day location of Greens Car Wash stands on the rendezvous site. This carriage contained Mayor Arnold. General Geary stated “Just outside of the city limits near the junction of the Louisville and Augusta Roads, captured were the Mayor of Savannah and a delegation of Alderman bearing a flag of truce. From them I received in the name of my commanding General, the surrender of the city. This was at 4:30 AM. General Geary received this not for General Sherman;
SIR: The city of Savannah was last night evacuated by the Confederate military and is now entirely defenseless. As chief magistrate of the city I respectfully request your protection of the lives and private property of the citizens and of our women and children. Trusting that this appeal to your generosity and humanity may favorably influence your actions, I have the honor to be, your obedient servant, R.D. Arnold, Mayor of Savannah.
When the last officer of General Smiths command crossed the wooden bridge to safety, flares were fired and the bridge destroyed. Cables were cut allowing the sections to scatter in the rivers current. In the city a small remaining provost unit prepared to board the Swan, when they remembered that there still was a detachment guarding the old Powder magazine nearby. Spotters in the City exchange building yelled that they could see the first Yankee skirmishers entering the city. It was too late to recall the detachment. They would become prisoners of war. One of the officers boarding the Swan sadly said goodbye to his black servant who vowed to look after the Officers family until his return. The Swan passed in the river, pieces of the burning pontoon bridge causing the river to act as a mirror. The men sailed away, “subdued in spirit, quiet in voice and sad at heart.” SGT Hunt rushed to the foot of the disintegrating bridge “as to see our end swing off in the river. I took my little command to the foot of East Bay Street to a large mill filled with flour and meal which was being stolen. I left a guard there and hurried back to the Customs House just in time to assist General Geary in raising Old Glory.” Close at hand was the 137th New York Infantry whose members wrote “We entered the city at the break of day. We found the streets filled with men, women and children and Negroes. All seemed pleased to see us.” General Sherman still aboard the Harvest Moon received word from Admiral Dahlgren that a route to avoid a sandbar in Ossabaw Sound would force them to take the route following the Tybee roads. The route was less dangerous, but longer and slower. In the city more troops poured into Savannah. An Ohio soldier wrote “We passed through the city amid shouts and cheers of colored people and not a few white citizens of both sexes, welcomed us by waving white handkerchiefs and many seemed much pleased to see the old Stars and Stripes again.” A ten man squad from Ohio made its way east of town and captured abandoned Ft Jackson, still on fire from fires set by the Confederates. The unit raised their flag at Fort Jackson. The Iron clad Savannah, spotting the new flag on the fort began firing at its walls. Ironically, this was the only time that Ft Jackson ever came under attack. Federal artillery officers seeing the firing from the Savannah, engaged her with artillery from the lower end of Bay Street. The Savannah tried to return fire but was not able to elevate their guns to do so. Soldiers not yet in the city center began to think reasons to enter. One Wisconsin soldier was told by a Savannah woman who laughed as she told him “You have more to eat than we.” An Iowa officer noted that “the women and negroes seemed to be cleaning out the stores of everything but our officers are doing their best to stop it.” Another said “The people of Savannah seemed to be satisfied with the change of military rulers.” They seem to like the Yankees reasonably well; fed most our boys during their short visit; giving them dinners with a cheering welcome They are not so blind as to not know the advantages to be gained under the shadow of the old flag.” General Sherman, still on the long journey back watched as they navigated the small creeks of the “inland passage” when the Harvest Moon ran aground in Romney Marsh about 4 miles from the Ogeechee River. Sherman, now impatient, used the Admirals barge to reach his command. It was growing dark, as Sherman nosed out of Romney Marsh and into the Ossabaw Sound. The barge spotted the army tug Red Legs where Sherman learned of the news in the city. The Red Legs was carrying a dispatch from Sherman’s Aide to him confirmed the matter as fact. The message read:
“In the field 21 December 9 AM
DEAR GENERAL
I have sent you two dispatched via Fort McAllister in hopes of reaching you. General Slocum has reported the enemy gone from his front and he had got eight guns-this report at 4 AM. He is also gone from this front and General Howard reports that (Division Commander) Leggett near the city and no enemy. General Woods also got six guns. General Slocum is moving and General Howard the same and I have no doubt both are in Savannah now. I will ride with General Howard at his request and leave our camp until the matter is more definite and you make orders. (Signed) L.M. Dayton aide de camp. Sherman set course aboard the Red Legs for Cheves Rice Mill.
It was not by chance that Sherman selected General Geary be the officer assigned the most direct route into Savanah. Geary was the first Mayor of San Francisco and a former Governor of the Kansas Territory. Upon word that Geary had entered the city and had made contact with Mayor Arnold, General Slocum placed Geary in charge of maintaining order inside the city. Geary told his wife that he was the “Commandante of the city”. The city was divided into five districts and patrols were sent out to maintain order and subordination. One Indiana patrol witnessed a fight between a groups of Savannah women at the site of a sacked warehouse fighting over goods. The air was filled with curses as the soldiers cheered on the weaker women.” It had been another long day for Colonel Carmen and his men in South Carolina. The Colonel received orders to withdraw back to Georgia. The weather that effected Sherman was also playing havoc with Carmen. A pontoon bridge was built to extract them. The Confederate defenders would not let them go peaceably. Also in the equation was the fact that the entire Confederate army retreating from Savannah was marching less than a mile from Colonel Carmen’s location. At nearly midnight, Carmen’s last man was able to cross back into the safety of Georgia. Time had run out for the CSS Georgia. Unable to navigate through the city’s river defenses. As long as the Confederates held Screven’s Ferry, near the Union causeway, the Iron clads crew had an escape route. The ship captain was told that Confederate pickets would leave there at 8:00 PM. Thirty minutes prior, the crew evacuated their ship and sailed to shore. Screven’s Ferry wharf where the Firefly was now docked was set aflame. Before leaving the Savannah, the crew stacked gunpowder charges with a slow fuse lit. At 11:30 PM the ship exploded where the blast “lit the heavens for miles.”

Expired Image Removed
 
The Colonel Carmen mentioned is Colonel Ezra Carman. Carman began the war as Lieutenant Colonel of the 7th New Jersey Infantry. While recovering from a wounded suffered at Williamsburg in May, 1862, he was appointed Colonel of the 13th New Jersey which he organized and led into its first battle at Antietam. After participating in the Chancellorsville and Gettysburg Campaigns Carman and the 13th New Jersey transferred west with the rest of the 12th Corps for the Chattanooga Campaign. He commanded a brigade in the 20th Corps during the March to the Sea. Following the Confederate Evacuation of Savannah Carman was reassigned to Nashville. The question as to whether this reassignment was a result of perceived failure to impede that evacuation is subject to debate. Carman mustered out of Volunteer service in March, 1865, and was brevetted a Brigadier General.

After the War Carman came to be recognized as the military history expert of the Antietam Campaign. He maintained a voluminous correspondence with participants in the battle, establishing the locations where individual units fought and the recording their experiences in the fighting. The cast iron tablets that mark the Antietam Battlefield today are the result of his efforts. When he died in 1909 he left behind an unpublished 1800-page manuscript of the history of the campaign. In 2010 Carman's account, edited by historian Dr. Thomas Clemens, was published as a two volume worked titled The Maryland Campaign of September 1862.
 
Expired Image Removed
Confederate river pontoon bridge evacuation site to Hutchinson Island was just in front of the Tallemedge Bridge (where the white light is)
 
Back
Top