Monday, December 26, 1864

A. LINCOLN, Washington, December 26, 1864

General Sherman:



When you were about leaving Atlanta for the Atlantic coast, I was anxious, if not fearful; but, feeling that you were the better judge, and remembering "nothing risked, nothing gained," I did not interfere. Now, the undertaking being a success, the honor is all yours; for I believe none of us went further than to acquiesce; and, taking the work of General Thomas into account, as it should be taken, it is indeed a great success.

Not only does it afford the obvious and immediate military advantages, but, in showing to the world that your army could be divided, putting the stronger part to an important new service, and yet leaving enough to vanquish the old opposing force of the whole, Hood's army, it brings those who sat in darkness to see a great light.

But what next? I suppose it will be safer if I leave General Grant and yourself to decide.

Christmas Day, 1864

FANNY COHEN TAYLOR, Taylor Residence, Savannah

This was the saddest Christmas that I have ever spent and my only pleasure during the day was in looking forward to spending my next Christmas in the Confederacy.

This morning my uncle Mr. Myers and his daughter Mrs. Yates Levy came to see us and told us of a party given Christmas Eve by the negroes at Genl. Geary’s Hd. Qtrs. The Gen. went into the kitchen and desired an introduction to the ladies and gentlemen there assembled. After the introduction he asked who were slaves and who were free. There was but one slave present, a servant girl of my Aunt’s who acknowledged the fact.

This elegant gentleman inquired into her private history and finding that she was a married woman begged an introduction to her husband, Mr. Valentine. He then presented Mr. Valentine, as a Christmas gift, with a free wife. The girl was so much amused having always been a favorite servant and treated like one of the family that she told it to her mistress as a good joke.


DOLLY, S. L. BURGE, Burge Plantation, Near Covington

Sadai jumped out of bed very early yesterday to feel in her stocking. She could not believe but that there would be something in it. Finding nothing, she crept back into bed, pulled the cover over her face, and I soon heard her sobbing. The little negroes all came in: "Christmas gift, mist'ess! Christmas gift, mist'ess!"

‘T is the last Christmas, probably, that we shall be together, freedmen! Now you will, I trust, have your own homes, and be joyful under your own vine and fig tree, with none to molest or make afraid.’

I pulled the cover over my face and was soon mingling my tears with Sadai's.


FRANCES HOWARD, Howard Residence, Savannah

Miss Moodie and Nelly went to the house of Mr. Green, a British resident, where German Sherman had quarters. Mrs. Randolph’s cotton had been taken and she wished to ask Mr. Green if it were possible to take any steps toward recovering it. They were in the parlour when Mr. Green entered closely followed by General Sherman.

“There are some ladies in the parlor,” said Mr. Green.

“Not to see me; not to see me, I hope,” said Sherman roughly.

“Do you wish to be introduced to General Sherman?” asked Mr. Green in an undertone to Miss Moodie.

“Not for the world,” she replied in a distinct voice. “I have no wish to make his acquaintance; my business is private and entirely with you, Mr. Green, entirely with you.”

Sherman walked to the piano, looked at some music and then left the room.

When Miss Moodie had concluded her conversation with Mr. Green, he asked them upstairs to look at a fine picture, and they passed the open doors of some beautifully furnished rooms. In one of these fine rooms they saw a young Negro woman, admiring herself before a mirror!

“Those apartments are occupied by General Sherman and his--staff,” said Mr. Green to Nelly, who must have looked her disgust, for he continued as they passed a door through which a handsome bed was visible, “don’t you want him to rest comfortably?”

“No, indeed, I do not!” she exclaimed. “I wish a thousand papers of pins were stuck in that bed and that he was strapped down on them.”


W. T. SHERMAN, Headquarters, Military Division of the Mississippi, Savannah

Dearest Ellen,

I hope truly & really that you and the Little ones enjoyed Christmas Day, in the full Knowledge that I am all safe after our long march—I am at this moment in an elegant chamber of the house of a Gentleman named Green. The house is elegant & splendidly furnished with pictures & Statuary—my bed Room has a bath & dressing Room attached which look out of proportion to my poor baggage. My clothing is good yet and I can even afford a white Shirt.


It would amuse you to See the negros, they flock to me old & young they pray & shout—and mix up my name with that of Moses, & Simon, and other scriptural ones as well as Abram Linkum the Great Messiah of “Dis Jubilee.”

I have no doubt you hear enough about “Sherman” and are sick of the name, and the interest the public takes in my whereabouts leaves me no subject to write about. Charley & Dayton promise to write details All I can do is make hasty scrawls assuring you of my health and Eternal affection,


JENNIE LEWIS, Headquarters, Savannah

The general gave me a golden locket. It is the finest thing I have ever seen. The finest thing I have ever owned. I cannot bare to take my eyes off of it . I dare not show it to anyone. I must wear it on me always, always, under my garments. Close to my heart.


CHURCH CHOIR, First Bryan Baptist Church, Savannah

Oh! Christmas is come, in Judea afar, Our Savior was born, 'neath the bright eastern star,
Whilst far on the mountains, the shepherds rejoice, And angels and men proclaim with glad voice,
Our Savior is come, our petitions are free, Lord God of battles we have access to thee;
Scatter thou red battle's cloud, Still now war's tempest loud, Cause this vile strife to cease,
Give us freedom, give us peace.
Amen

Saturday, December 24, 1864

CAPT. GEORGE W. PEPPER, Savannah

I attended a meeting of colored people tonight in the Baptist Church. The building was packed to its utmost capacity, and hundreds stood during the whole evening, while hundreds of others came and went away, being unable to find even a place to stand. The meeting was opened by one of the brethren in a prayer of great pathos and rare power. He paused in the midst of his supplications and offered up a thrilling supplication for the great army that had delivered them. In a strain of rude but hearty eloquence, he thanked God that the black people were free, and forever free. The whole congregation here gave vent to their joyous emotions, in bursts of: Glory to God! Hallelujah! Praise his name!

The following hymn was read and sang with wonderful power:

Blow ye the trumpet, blow, The gladly solemn sound, Let all the nations know The year of jubilee has come.

The effect of this stirring poetry on the assembly was thrilling. The elder, who read the hymn, when he came to the words: The year of jubilee is come! was so overwhelmed with emotion, that it was impossible for him to proceed. The audience caught the magical influence, and then a scene ensued which baffles description. All classes, black and white, old slave owners, and the soldiers of the army were alike affected.

That staunch patriot and eloquent minister, Mansfield French, well known in Ohio as the friend of the negro, was the principal speaker. He called the attention of the emancipated to the duties and responsibilities devolving upon them in their present position. He recommended them to cultivate habits of honesty, purity, thrift and enterprise; admonishing them of the necessity of industry on their part; advising them to love their old masters, and not cherish feelings of revenge.

At every mention of the Union, and Liberty, and the names of Lincoln and Sherman, the walls almost trembled beneath the thunder which followed. When the orator declared the re-election of Mr. Lincoln as the guarantee of their freedom for all time, the vast gathering rose to their feet, and with shouts and tears, returned thanks to Almighty God. Never did the painter find a nobler sight for his pencil than the spontaneous uprising of that liberated people.

What a lofty ambition for one man to be the emancipator of the oppressed! History, who keeps a record of events, will hand down the name of Abraham Lincoln to posterity on her brightest page. Our hearts yearn to thee, noble patriot. We are lifted up in wonder and admiration; when we see thy cheerful endurance, thy uncomplaining spirit; we respect and honor thee. Brother French electrified the multitude by earnest outbursts of glowing patriotism, which was received with cheer upon cheer. But it is useless to attempt to convey any adequate idea of the great meeting held in the Baptist Church. The colored population of Savannah send greeting, a solid, enthusiastic greeting to their brethren in other States and cities throughout the length and breadth of the land, and ere long, we trust and expect similar meetings will be held everywhere.


JENNIE LEWIS, Headquarters, The Green House, Savannah

It is after midnight. I have just come from the meeting at Third African Baptist Church. We have been singing and praising the Lord since 8 o’clock night. I could fall asleep in the middle of a sentence but I must write what I learned today. Thousands of colored people are now living in Savannah, and the Federal Army means to send them away. Some have already been forced to join the army. They are being sent to some place none of us have ever heard of.

Fortune Bell spoke out at the meeting. “I will not be shipped to any place. I am going back to farm on St. Simons, and no Army will stop me. They say we need the Federals to protect us. That we will need to sign a contract to work the land for the white people. I will not sign such a contract. I will work my own land. I have as much right to sign a white man to a contract to work for me!”

The church leaders agreed with Fortune. Now they are going to see the General. They will tell him the people should be allowed to go where they choose. I am happy no one asked me to go with them this time..

I can not bare to speak to Captain Pepper. He was at the meeting today and I stayed away from him. I did not talk to Rev. Quarles or Fortune. I have let them down so. Sevanda, Nora and Ilene are shipped who knows where. Now Fortune is ready to leave for his eye-land. I am alone on Christmas Eve. This is my saddest Christmas ever.

Part Five: Friday, December 23, 1864

ROSE TAYLOR, Ex-slave, Taylor Residence, Savannah, Georgia

Us looked for the Yankees like us looked for the Savior and the host of angels at the second coming. I’d always thought about this time, and wanted this day to come, and prayed for it and knew God meant it should be here sometime, but I didn’t believe I should ever see it, and it is so great and good a thing, I cannot believe it has come now; and I don’t believe I ever shall realize it, but I know it is though, and I bless the Lord for it.

Ye’s long been a-coming, Ye’s long been a-coming, Ye’s long been a-coming, For to take de land.

And now ye’s a-coming, And now ye’s a-coming, And now ye’s a-coming, For to rule de land.


R. SAXTON, Brigadier General of Volunteers Headquarters U. S. Forces, District Of Beaufort, Beaufort, S. C.

Maj. Gen. W. T. Sherman, U. S. Army, Commanding Army of Occupation, Savannah, Ga.:

General: Rather than sending any more blacks to me at Beaufort, I would respectfully suggest that a large number of contrabands might be sent to Saint Simon’s Island, Ga., and Edisto, S. C. There are a large number of vacant houses on each of these islands and a regiment of colored troops could hold them securely. These islands have both been occupied by our troops, but were vacated in 1863 by order of General Hunter, then commanding this department. I presume there are no rebels on either of them, and it would require but a small force to hold them securely. If one of the colored regiments now at our front in the vicinity of the railroad could be sent to OCCUPY these islands, they perhaps might aid your operations as much as they are now doing.

I very much regret, general, that my power to relieve you of the burden of these people is not equal to my inclination, but I have no means at all under my control. Even a small steamer sent to me by the War Department for special service, the control of which is absolutely essential to this service, has been taken from me by General Foster. I greatly fear that if these contrabands are sent to this post, there will be much suffering among them, as I have neither men nor means at my command to provide them with shelter.

With this statement of my situation and of facts as they exist at present, which I deem it my duty to make, I beg to assure you, general, that I am prepared to do all that you may desire me to do in this matter, and am ready to report to you at Savannah for the purpose, or anywhere else you may desire. Every cabin and house on these islands is filled to overflowing—I have some 15,000. It has occurred to me that I might render you more service by coming to Savannah. I shall be governed entirely by your wishes or orders in the case.

I am, very respectfully,


JENNIE LEWIS, Headquarters, The Green House, Savannah, Georgia

I am now in Savannah. I am living in the Generals headquarters. We arrived two days ago and I have scarecly left my room.

We are in the home of Mr. Green. The servants here say this is the grandest home in all of Savannah. It sits on something called a squire. Around the squire are big trees with heavy drooping branches. They cast wide shadows. But the paths of the squire, neat as cotton rows, are bright with sunlight and still blooming gardens. In the middle of the square a man of stone holds up a flag and looks to be marching right off into the air. From the windows of my rooms I watch the people of Savannah line the paths coming to Mr. Greens house, coming to see the general.

He people in downstairs all day. Then he comes up here to see me. ‘How are you, Jennie. Are you enjoying your leisure? This is your room, Jennie,’ he tells me. ‘All the dresses and shoes yours to wear.’

So many dressess and shoes for one girl? And so many glasses to gaze into. Who was this room meant for? I do not think for me. Yet here I am.

My bed has four posts, one at each corner. On top of each post is a spike. The wood is so smooth it feels like cloth. The blankets and pillows have white ruffles sown all around. When I first saw it I did not want to sleep there. But now I lie here much of the day reading books I find on the shelves, writing whatever I want in my papers, and wondering, wondering what is to become of me now.

The fences around the house and the rails on the stairways are made of black iron, curved like branches. In the grand hallway the floors shine and a curved staircase rises up to the second floor. A great circle of candles opens up to the sky above the staircase, letting the smoke rise into the night and the heat and light fall upon the people below.

The general said Papa is sure to have my letter soon. But for now I am alone. I can come and go as I please he tells me. Where would I go? I dare not seek Rev. Quarles in the city. I may have to face Fortune Bells wrath again. I know no one here except the Army staff. I cannot face Captain Pepper with my question. I see only the General and the servants and take no notice of any one else.

Mr. Greens cook will not let Manual in her kitchen. So I have no chores to do. The servants bring me trays of food. I eat and try on dresses. And shoes and stockings and hats and gloves and stare at myself in the three looking glasses. I wonder who is this girl with my mothers heavy black hair piled up on her head and a sad look in her eyes. Wearing a lace flower in her hair and a lace collar as tight as the metal ones the slaves used to wear. Who is this now free woman? What does a free woman do?

Mr. Greens servants call me Miss Lewis. They call me Sherman’s Wife. As my letter travels to find Papa and bring us together, I stare at myself and wonder how will I tell him why I am here, in this house, as Sherman’s Wife. And why Caroline is not with me. How will I tell him I am no longer the daughter he left? Nor will he ever see his Caroline again in this life? I shudder when I think about it and my heart aches. I will watch his face fall from joy at our reunion to the sadness of knowning what all we have lost.

One more river to cross, my Lord. Many thousands gone.