I have read a few books and magazines on Savannah in the Civil War, but Derek Smith's "Civil War Savannah" seemed like a interesting book to check out, so I picked up a copy before going back to the wonderful Georgia town.
I was glad I did. The book lays out Savannah's involvement before, during, and after the Civil War. There is more to the town and it's Civil War involvement than Sherman presenting it, mostly unscathed, to Lincoln for Christmas.
The book has a nice flow.... going through the years, and the town and its players involvement in the War.
I think most know that the Confederate army evacuated Savannah right before Sherman started his invasion. Lucky for admirers of the city NOW. Savannah avoided the fate of other towns Sherman visited in the South not getting the torch.
Of course, there was still some action. Several forts did see some back and forth fighting, though, in general, not much.
There are ironclads, blockades, blockade runners and other action on the waters around Savannah and Tybee Island.
I took note of several facts that I was unaware of, or that Smith drew in a new light, and made me think about in a different way......
CSA VP Alexander Stephens delivered his "Corner Stone" speech in Savannah. It is... well, the speech was heavy on stressing the "inequality of the races."
Savannah was building ironclads in 1862. With limited resources, and a rush to deliver, they weren't exactly built to last.
Grant OK'd Sherman's "March to the Sea", but, being Lincoln supporters, they postponed it until after the election for political reasons.
The Davis family, minus the imprisoned Jefferson, live in Savannah for some time.
Jefferson Davis, Lee, Sherman and other Civil War heavy weights all make postwar visits to Savannah.
I could go on and on..... But I just really enjoyed this book.
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