For little more than a month, Sherman’s Federal forces tore through the Georgia countryside, arriving at the gates of Savannah by December 21. Confederate troops under the command of General William Hardee had abandoned the city shortly beforehand, leaving it to the mercy of northern soldiers.

As Savannah’s Mayor, R.D. Arnold, rode with his staff to surrender the city, they were met by Westmoreland County native John White Geary, who peacefully accepted the offer. Sherman sent a message to President Lincoln shortly after, stating “I beg to present you as a Christmas gift the city of Savannah with 150 heavy guns and plenty of ammunition and also about 25,000 bales of cotton.”

 

One news correspondent wired to the Pittsburgh Daily Commercial shortly before the surrender, “General Sherman’s success has been all that the country could desire. His army is in splendid condition, in glorious spirits

 inspired by its achievements, more enthusiastic than ever, and, if it were possible, a better army than ever before…”