Savannah in Hardin County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
War Comes to Savannah
Shiloh National Military Park
— National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior —
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, September 1, 2009
1. War Comes to Savannah Marker
On March 8, 1862 the pro-Union citizens of Savannah turned out to greet the 40th Illinois Infantry, the vanguard of a 40,000-man Union invasion force. Residents cheered as the Illinois troops trudged off the steamer Golden Gate, formed into ranks, and marched up the slope into town. Within the week, a Union flotilla of more than 80 steamboats would crowd the banks of the Tennessee above and below the town.
For the next three months, Federal troops occupied the town. Union Major General Ulysses S. Grant made his headquarters at the home of William Harrell Cherry. After the Battle of Shiloh, Union wounded flooded the town. Hundreds died; many were buried in the local cemetery. After the war these bodies were moved to the National Cemetery at Shiloh overlooking Pittsburgh Landing.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #18 Ulysses S. Grant series list. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1862.
Location. 35° 13.519′ N, 88° 15.156′ W. Marker is in Savannah, Tennessee, in Hardin County. Marker is at the intersection of Bridge Street (U.S. 64) and West Main
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Lost Petrified Forests of Savannah, Tennessee (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hardin County Confederate Memorial (about 600 feet away); Joseph Hardin (about 700 feet away); War Memorial (about 700 feet away); Grant at Cherry Mansion (approx. 0.2 miles away); Cherry Mansion (approx. ¼ mile away); War on the River (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named The Cherry Mansion (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Savannah.
Regarding War Comes to Savannah. For more information on the history of Savannah and Hardin County, visit the Tennessee River Museum, just down Main Street to your left, next to the Hardin County Courthouse.
Far right is picture of General Ulysses S. Grant
Below Grant's picture is: The Cherry Mansion Grant's headquarters from March 17 to April 6, 1862. A rare antebellum structure in Savannah, the house stands 1/4 miles west on Main Street, to your right.
Photographed By Tom Bosse, July 26, 2020
2. War Comes to Savannah Marker
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, September 1, 2009
3. War Comes to Savannah Marker/U.S. Grant Headquarters
Photographed By Sandra Hughes, September 1, 2009
4. U.S. Grant Headquarters
Credits. This page was last revised on August 18, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 16, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 1,521 times since then and 44 times this year. Last updated on March 20, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. Photos: 1. submitted on March 16, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 2. submitted on August 17, 2020, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. 3, 4. submitted on March 16, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
