Savannah in Hardin County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
The Cherry Mansion
Built by slaves with bricks made from riverbank clay, the Cherry Mansion is the oldest home in Savannah. When the Federal army arrived here in March 1862, William Harrell Cherry, a strong Union sympathizer, offered his home to Federal officers. For the next month the house served as the headquarters of Major General Ulysses S. Grant.
On the morning of April 6, 1862, Grant, breakfasting with his staff, walked out on the porch of the mansion and heard the rumble of distant cannon. "Gentlemen, the ball is in motion," he declared. He quickly boarded a transport and started for Pittsburg Landing and the Battle of Shiloh, nine miles southwest.
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On April 6, Union general William H.L. Wallace fell with a horrid wound to his head. He lay on the field at Shiloh overnight but on April 7 was carried to the Cherry Mansion. For three days his wife Ann, who had come to the front for a surprise visit, tended to him. "Will" Wallace died in the mansion's library on April 10.
"He suffered so much, so much....My darling knew that he was going! He pressed my head to his breast long and fondly, then waved me away and said, 'We meet in Heaven.'"
Ann Wallace
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The Cherry mansion, circa 1884
At least two pieces of furniture that date to Grant's presence here remain in the Cherry Mansion: the piano and a desk.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is April 6, 1862.
Location. 35° 13.555′ N, 88° 15.431′ W. Marker is in Savannah, Tennessee, in Hardin County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of West Main Street and Hogohegee Drive. West Main dead ends at the historic Cherry Mansion. A walkway leads about 30 yards down to the river and the Trail of Tears Overlook Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Savannah TN 38372, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Historic Crossing (here, next to this marker); War on the River (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Cherry Mansion (within shouting distance of this marker); Grant at Cherry Mansion (within shouting distance of this marker); War Comes to Savannah (approx. ¼ mile away); The Lost Petrified Forests of Savannah, Tennessee (approx. 0.3 miles away); Hardin County Confederate Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); Joseph Hardin (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Savannah.
Also see . . .
1. Cherry Mansion. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on February 16, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Preserving a Civil War Landmark. Old House Online entry (Submitted on February 16, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 30, 2017, by Brandon Stahl of Fairfax, Virginia. This page has been viewed 698 times since then and 93 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 30, 2017, by Brandon Stahl of Fairfax, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.