Savannah History
Savannah history is alive and well!In 1733, the British colony of South Carolina needed buffering and protection from the Spanish colony of Florida so General James Oglethorpe was sent to find a spot where fortifications could be built and commerce could be increased.
![Historic Map of savannah Georgia](http://www.savannah-georgia-vibe-guide.com/images/savannah_1734-1.jpg "\\"View of Savannah, as it stood the 29th March, A.D. 1734.\\" From Report on the Social Statistics of Cities, Compiled by George E. Waring, Jr., United States. Census Office, Part II, 1886.")
Map provided by www.lib.utexas.edu
He found such a place on a high bluff, about 16 miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean, overlooking a deep river that was suitable for a port. He named it Savannah, the first city of the new colony that he christened Georgia, after England's King George II.
Image courtesy of ushistoryimages.com
In February of that year, the HMS Anne landed with about 120 folks on board, including Nobel Jones who would build the Wormsloe Plantation. The majority were poor people and, check this out, lawyers and slavery were not allowed. Of course, all that changed over time but at its very beginning, Savannah history shows it as a rare and freewheeling kind of town.
Image courtesy of ushistoryimages.com
Savannah History
The Battle of Savannah
Savannah was key to American commerce and it was a huge blow to the Revolution when the British captured it in 1778. In danger of losing the South, Washington, DC sent General Casmir Pulaski to retake Savannah.Newly appointed, Maj. Gen. Benjamin Lincoln set out to raise 5,000 men and found support with Adm. Valerie D’Estaing. The French fleet with 42 line ships and 4000 men arrived off Tybee Island on September 8th, while American forces from Charleston approached Savannah from the North.
The Siege of Savannah was one of the bloodiest battles of the revolutionary war, fought between September 16th and October 18th 1779. During the 3 week bombardment the Franco-American losses totaled - 244 killed, including General Pulaski, 600 wounded and 120 prisoners, but the British held firm until July of 1782.
Savannah History
The Fire and Fever of 1820
In January of 1820 the second large scale fire, nick named The Great Savannah Fire, broke out in a livery stable. With the aid of strong winds and gun powder stored on Ellis Square the fire spread through the city destroying 463 buildings. Unfortunately, the fire wasn't the only set back in Savannah history. Yellow fever, a disease carried by mosquitos, claimed the lives of almost 700 people, over a 10th of the city's population.
Savannah History and The Civil War
During the Civil War, Savannah was the goal of General William T. Sherman on his infamous "March To The Sea". Instead of burning the city, as he had done all throughout Georgia, Sherman set up headquarters at the Green-Meldrim House on Madison Square and sent this famous telegram to President Lincoln. "I beg to present to you as a Christmas gift, the city of Savannah with 140 heavy guns and plenty of ammunition and also about 25,000 bales of cotton." Before General Sherman's visit, Fort Pulaski proved to be a turning point in military history. Savannah history is alive and well in much of downtown and looks almost exactly as it did in Sherman's time. Factor's Walk, where he inspected that cotton is still there and in use. The Andrew Low House hosted Confederate General Robert E. Lee as did the Sorrel-Weed House. Its owner, G. Moxley Sorrel, was one of Lee's lieutenants and was made brigadier general at the age of 26. Lee called him, "the best staff officer in Confederate service". Juliette Gordon Low, founder of the Girl Scouts, was a young girl during the war. When Union General O.O. Howard, who was missing an arm, came to visit one evening, Juliette declared, "I shouldn't wonder if my Papa did it. He's shot lots of Yankees." Her father was colonel in the rebel cavalry. One of our finest restaurants, The Olde Pink House, was headquarters for Union General York and Forsyth Park was the campground for U.S. troops. Comer House, on Monterrey Square, hosted former Confederate President Jefferson Davis and his daughter, Winnie, in 1886. He was there to commemorate the centennial of the Chatham Artillery. I'm sure gallons of the potent 'Chatham Artillery Punch' were served at the many parties held for Davis during his visit. After the war, General Joe Johnston worked in Savannah and lived at 105 East Oglethorpe Street. He was visited by General Lee shortly before Lee's death. Also, General Sherman returned to Savannah after the war and stayed, once again, at the Green-Meldrim House....this time as a guest.
| CHATHAM ARTILLERY PUNCH (This is an OLD recipe...over 200 years old. When President James Monroe sipped this concoction in 1819, while on a visit to Savannah, he dubbed it 'suave and deceitful'. This recipe is for a large party of thirsty revelers.)
1 1/2 gallons strong tea
1 1/2 gallons Catawba, muscadine or scuppernong wine
1/2 gallon St. Croix rum
1 1/2 quarts rye whiskey
1 quart brandy
1 quart Gordon gin
1/2 pint Benedictine
2 1/2 pounds brown sugar
1 bottle marachino cherries
Juice of 18 oranges
Juice of 18 lemons
Case of Champagne
1. Pour all ingredients except for the Champagne into a large, non-reactive container.
2. Cover and let rest for 36 to 48 hours.
3. Just before the party pour into a large punch bowl, over ice, and add the champagne.
Things will get lively shortly thereafter.
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Savannah history is rich with stories and my favorite is when seven local women raised $22,500 to buy what is now the Isaiah Davenport House to save it from the wrecking ball. This act started the movement that created what we now call the Historic District.
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