Savannah Georgia

Central of Georgia Depot

Probably one of the reasons for the continuing interest in Civil War History by so many Americans was the presence of so many Generals who were noted for their eccentricities as well as their battlefield leadership. The cast of characters who assembled to fight this long bitter struggle was definitely not the product of some carefully constructed system of Officer Progression. Nor were they assembled via the “Hollywood Casting Office” model that has been used by our nation’s Department of Defense in recent years.

Among the most colorful of these Civil War character/Generals, no doubt, was William T. (“Billy”) Sherman. While he participated in most of the noteworthy fights that occurred in what became the “Western Theater” of the War, he is probably most famous, or infamous depending upon your political views regarding the Civil War (Ooops, did I mean “The War Between the States?”) for one military maneuver in the East that started on November 15 1864, and ended 36 days later. This military maneuver of his is now known as the famous “March Through Georgia.”

After entering Atlanta GA on September 2, 1864, and insuring that this important center of rail and industry would no longer be used in support of the Confederate cause, he rested for about 2 months, long enough for Lincoln to win his re-election, largely, so many historians claim, as a result of “Billy’s” success (General U.S. Grant was getting mired down south of Richmond at this time). And then, after making careful preparations, including sending General Thomas back to Nashville to watch that area carefully, on November 15 he and his “bummers” as many called his armies, cut off their line of Communications and Supply and began a March to the Sea.

Despite the initial skepticism that his move caused, Lincoln was not too fond of it for one, nevertheless, this was not the first time that “Billy” had been involved in this type of operation. As a careful study of the Vicksburg Campaign reveals, “Billy” was simply doing what General Grant had done in the capture of that Confederate stronghold. In order to capture Vicksburg MS, Grant had cut his lines of Communication and Supply, struck south along the west bank of the Mississippi River, crossed the river below Vicksburg, penetrated to the east, and sent “Billy and his boys” to destroy Jackson MS (at that time the phrase the soldiers used was “to make a chimneyville”). Only then, did Grant turn his troops back west towards the Confederate stronghold at Vicksburg. Only after encircling the town/stronghold did Grant re-establish his lines of Communication and Supply. During the interim period Grant and his troops had lived off of what they carried, and come on let's be real, what they "found" in the area.

And so it was that on the 21st of December 1864, Sherman peacefully entered a Savannah GA that he had threatened to reduce via siege guns and starvation if he met resistance. However, instead of resisting, the Confederate forces left the city via a pontoon bridge and escaped north, Sherman entered the city and then, instead of laying waste to it, as he had the rest of the Georgia countryside, he spared the city, and gave it to President Lincoln, according to his message sent on the 22nd of December 1864 “as a Christmas present.”

And here is where the above station enters in. Pictured above is the “Headhouse” of the Central of Georgia Railway Savannah Depot which was constructed in 1876. Behind this headhouse, and attached to it even today is a brick train shed (see picture on left). This train shed had been constructed in the 1850’s (various sources have given various dates). Thus, this brick train shed was part of the Savannah that Sherman gave to President Lincoln as a “Christmas present.”

The Central of Georgia Railway survived the Civil War and for many years was considered a prosperous and well-run line. However, like many of its brothers in the south, it soon fell under “foreign” (i.e. a series of Northern financiers), control. Because of this, it became a financially troubled line for many years. Subsequently, it was controlled by a series of different interests/railroads, culminating in the Interstate Commerce Commission ordering the sale of the line by the St. Louis and San Francisco (better known as the Frisco) Railroad (which is now part of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad) to the Southern Railway in 1963.

Technically, the Central of Georgia Railroad, as it was re-named by the Southern Railway in 1971, still exists as a subsidiary line of the Norfolk Southern Railroad. However, there is very little equipment still carrying Central of Georgia Railroad markings.

The Savannah Central of Georgia Passenger Station was last used in 1972. Sometime after that it was purchased by the Coastal Heritage Society and turned into a museum dedicated to telling the story of Coastal Georgia in general, and Savannah in particular. Unfortunately, as of the date of this posting, I understand that the Museum has been closed for a year so that they can make needed repairs. Hopefully, when it re-opens, it will be not only as good as it was when A. and I toured it a while back, but even better.