92

Robert Houstoun Anderson.

Plea for reinforcements from a Confederate general defending Savannah against Sherman's March to the Sea.

Hardeeville, SC, 15 December 1864
Letter Signed "R.H. Anderson" as Brigadier General to the "officer comd'g CS Steamer Macon." One page, 5¾ x 7 inches, on scrap of lined paper; folds, strip of mount paper on verso.

  • Notes: As Sherman's large Union force approached Savannah on the March to the Sea, the Confederate officer Robert Houstoun Anderson (1835-1888) sent this dramatic Letter Signed to Lieutenant Joel S. Kennard (1819-1901), commander of the CSS steamer Macon in the defenses of Savannah.

    "A considerable force of the enemy have landed at Izzard's Place and have driven in my pickets. A portion of Gen. Ferguson's brigade is here & is just starting with me to engage them. If you could move down the river opposite Izzard's and cooperate with us, we could probably kill or capture the entire party. Send answer by bearer." 

    Confederate troops finally evacuated on 20 December, and Sherman occupied Savannah the next day. The gunboat Macon remained safely at inland Augusta, GA until the end of the war.
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