Christmas In Savannah - Dale Ann Bradley

Christmas in Savannah – Dale Ann Bradley
(Paula Breedlove, Mark “Brink” Brinkman)
Paulajon Music ASCAP/Mark Brinkman Songs – BMI

“I beg to present you as a Christmas gift, the city of Savannah.” -General William T. Sherman, in a telegram sent to President Lincoln on Christmas Day 1864


The capture of Savannah on Christmas Day 1864 marks the completion of Sherman’s March to the Sea and the tipping point of the war in the Union’s favor. Savannah was occupied on December 20th, and though he flooded the rice fields around the city, Sherman largely spared the city itself. None of the mansions were harmed, and the churches were allowed to stay open. In areas where food was scarce, the troops put together carts loaded with Christmas dinner and delivered food pulled by mules dressed as reindeer. Despite the war and occupation, Christmas still came to Savannah.