Savannah

This house became General Sherman's Headquarters in Savannah after the Confederate surrender. It and many other antebellum homes survived because Sherman did not burn the city.

We camped at Fort McAllister State Park, where Sherman ended his march to the sea. Confederate soldiers defended the earthen fort from attack by sea. The thick earth berms could not be destroyed by naval bombardments. It was a critical target, because Union ships could not deliver reinforcements or supplies to the Union Army.

So, Sherman sent his forces by land to take the fort from the rear.

A view inside the fort.

Cannons that fired "hot shot" could set enemy ships afire. The ammunition was heated in ovens next to the gun.

Sherman watched the assault on Fort McAllister from across the river.

THe Union soldiers were able to penetrate the defenses at low tide, because the wooden palisades (seen at right) ended at the high-tide mark. This is the place they went around them and entered the fort from the river side.

The following pictures were taken shortly after the assault and victory by a photographer traveling with the Union troops. You can see the Union ships now bringing needed supplies up the river,

Union soldiers' footprints in the sand where the assault took place.

After the defeat at Fort McAllister, Confederate soldiers fled the city of Savannah, so no battle was fought there, and no need for Sherman to destroy it.

So today we can walk through Savannah and see its many beautiful squares surrounded by antebellum mansions.

Nan was an outstanding tour guide, having researched and provided us histories of the places she picked out to show us.

And some others we just found because they were close by.

Flannery O'Connor's childhood home.

Carol and Nan check out the Little Free Library under the stairs. (http://littlefreelibrary.org/)

The squares were all beautiful…a testament to the designer of the city.

The Cathedral of St.John the Baptist, c 1839. It was nearly destroyed by fire in 1898, but was immediately rebuilt.

Andrew Low House, 1848

And we all have heard of Juliette Gordon Low, founder of the Girl Scouts, born in this house in 1860.

Map of the historic district showing the many squares. You really need more than a day to see it.

This building was the Masonic Hall, whose charter was first signed in 1802.

Detail of the architecture.

We came back later for brunch at the elegant Gryphon Restaurant located inside the ground floor.

The menu

I had the Creme brulee French toast, Carol had the Savory French toast, and Nan had the Shrimp with smoked Gouda and tomato grits.

A unique way to deliver our checks…in an old book.

Our tour continued. The Harper-Fowlkes house was closed today.

Carol decided the steps next to the hitching post were for ladies to climb into the carriage easier.

This house was noteworthy because of the medallions on the fence.

No parking place, so pics were on the fly.

We toured the Mercer-Williams house, made famous by the book and movie, "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil," the story of a murder that occurred in the house, and a mystery surrounding the last owner, Jim Williams. No photos were allowed inside the home or gardens.

A wedding was taking place in the square.

We drove past the City Hall...

And the U.S. Custom House.

Down the narrow stone street…(Nan says they used ballast stones)

Under the Factors Walk,

to River Street. 

The Georgia Queen Riverboat was paddling by.

We did a little silly shopping along River Street.

Nan tried on some hats…but didn't buy any.

We ended our visit to Savannah with a get-together with RVing friends, Lori and Dock, at a Scottish Restaurant.