Historic District - North in Savannah in Chatham County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

History Of Emancipation: Special Field Orders No. 15

Photographed by Servant Emannu, March 5, 2011

1. History Of Emancipation: Special Field Orders No. 15 Marker

Inscription. On January 12, 1865, U.S. Secretary of War Edwin Stanton and General Wm. T. Sherman met here at the home of Charles Green with 20 leaders from Savannah’s African-American churches, including Garrison Frazier, Ulysses L. Houston, and William Campbell. The meeting resulted in Sherman’s issue of Special Field Orders No. 15, which encouraged the enlistment of freedmen and also reserved coastal land from Charleston south to Florida’s St. Johns River for settlement by freed families in 40-acre tracts. The Freedmen’s Bureau Act of March 1865 formalized government aid to freed slaves but made no provision for land. After President Lincoln’s death, President Andrew Johnson revoked Special Field Orders No. 15, hampering efforts by African Americans to gain economic independence after Emancipation.

Erected 2011 by for the Civil War 150 commemoration by the Georgia Historical Society, the Georgia Battlefields Association and the Georgia Department of Economic Development. (Marker Number 25-37.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln

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, the Former U.S. Presidents: #17 Andrew Johnson, and the Georgia Historical Society series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1958.

Location. 32° 4.429′ N, 81° 5.642′ W. Marker is in Savannah, Georgia, in Chatham County. It is in the Historic District - North. It is at the intersection of Bull Street and Harris Street, on the left when traveling south on Bull Street. This marker is located in Madison Square and stands directly across from the Sherman's Headquarters Marker at the Green-Meldrim Mansion. Also located within Madison Square are the following Historical Markers: 1) Madison Square, 2) Old Sorrel–Weed House, 3) Sergeant Jasper. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Savannah GA 31401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Coastal Plain and on the Georgia Coast and the Golden Isles.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Madison Square (here, next to this marker); Madison Square, British Southern Line of Defenses (a few steps from this marker); Old Sorrel–Weed House (a few steps from this marker); Sergeant Jasper (within shouting distance of this marker); The March to the Sea (within shouting distance of this marker); Sherman's Headquarters (within shouting distance of this marker); Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemansonry

History Of Emancipation: Special Field Orders No. 15 Marker, Green-Meldrim House seen in background image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Servant Emannu, March 5, 2011

2. History Of Emancipation: Special Field Orders No. 15 Marker, Green-Meldrim House seen in background

(within shouting distance of this marker); Ogeechee Road (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Savannah.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. the relationship, study additional markers shown.

Additional commentary.
1. Andrew Johnson's order
My great grandfather, Captain John Darling Terry, served at Charleston Freedmen Bureau under Saxton, I've researched his demotion and had it overturned a few years ago because it was falsely done to stop him from refusing to take land grants back. I have a general question about Special Order #15, your site, markers and many others say it was revoked, rescinded, overturned by Johnson yet I can't find that officially anyhere, well I;d like to discuss this and other work with whomever, thanks.

Editor's Note. If you would like to correspond directly with the submitter of this note, please ask an editor to put you in contact. Or you may want to use the Add-A-Commentary link to reply here publicly.

— Submitted February 23, 2023, by Robert Haddon Terry of Waynesburg, Pennsylvania.

Additional keywords.

History Of Emancipation: Special Field Orders No. 15 Marker, Sorrel - Weed house seen in background image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, March 6, 2011

3. History Of Emancipation: Special Field Orders No. 15 Marker, Sorrel - Weed house seen in background

Here resided as a youth G. Moxley Sorrel (1838- 1901) who achieved fame as one of “Lee’s Lieutenants.” * See nearby markers

Black History

Photographed by Servant Emannu, March 4, 2011

4. History Of Emancipation: Special Field Orders No. 15 Marker

Before The Marker Was Unveiled on March 4, 2011

Credits. This page was last revised on March 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 6, 2011, by Servant Emannu'el Branch of Pooler, Georgia. This page has been viewed 3,130 times since then and 152 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 6, 2011, by Servant Emannu'el Branch of Pooler, Georgia. 3. submitted on March 6, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 4. submitted on March 6, 2011, by Servant Emannu'el Branch of Pooler, Georgia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.