The Washington herald., 1914-12-27
NORTH LEARNS OF SHER-
MANS GIFT.
December rs.

Fifty years ago today the people OF
the North received their first definite
news of the capture of Savannah through
the publication Of a message from Sher-
man to Lincoln, which the latter had
received on Christmas night.
Il beg to present you, as a Christmas
gift" wrote the Federal general. the
city Of Savannah. with $50 heavy guns
and plenty OF ammunition, and also about
5000 bales of cotton
This Christmas message was imme-
dlately telegraphed far and wide
throughout the Northern States, and re-
ceived prominent position on the front
pages of the next mornings newspapers
Coming as it did only a few days after
Gen. Thomas great victory over the
Confederates under Hood at Nashville
popular demonstrations OF patriotic en-
thusiasm. Cannon were fired. bells rung
and public and private buildings decor
ated with the national colors.
In Washington the thunder of COZ guns
on Vermont avenue awOke the city at
an early hour and gave first tidings of
the welcome news. At Petersburg, where
the men lined the works and cheered
until the Confederates opened fire upon
them. a salute of 100 shotted guns was
fired. At Cleveland salute of 100 guns
Erie, Pa, was decorated With flags. the
bells rang all through the day and guns
were fired. So. too, at Albany.
Mr.. Browne, OF salem, Mass.
The idea of sending the p. striking
Christmas gift" message to Lincoln was
not Gen. Sherman's. II was the sug-
gestion of A. G. Browne, a native of
Salem, Mass. who at that time was
United States Treasury agent for the
department of the South.
Browne, who was a hustling business
man. called upon Gen. Sherman within
an hour after tn latter had taken up
quarters at the residence Of Charles
Green in Savannah, on December %, to
claim possession in the name Of the
Treasury Department Of all the captured
cotton, rice and buildings in Savannah.
"Haying use for these articles our
selves" Sherman wrote in his memoirs.
''and having fairly earned them, I did
not feel inclined to surrender posses
sion, and explained to him that the
quartermaster and commissary could
manage them more to my liking than
he; but / agreed. after the proper in
ventories had been prepared. II there re-
manned anything for which We had no
special use, I would turn It over to him.
AT that interview, Mr.. Browne, who
was a shrewd, clever Yankee, told me
that a vessel was on the point of start
ing for Old Point Comfort, and II she
had good weather OF Cape Hatteras,
would reach Fortress Monroe by Christ
mas Day, and he suggested that I might
make II the occasion of sending well
come Christmas gift to the President,
Ar. Lincoln, who peculiarly enjoyed such
presents"
Sherman at once sat down and wrote
his now well-known message on a small
slip Of paper. The commander Of the
vessel was directed to leave it at the
telegraph once at Fortress Monroe for
transmission to Washington.
II was about 6:I5 on the evening Of
December IS when the dispatch was filed
at Fortress Monroe. and in short time
later 1t was received in the War De-
partment telegraph office and thence
forwarded to the President
~ this time. Sherman, in Savannah,
was already looking forward to cam
paign in the Carolinss. Grant had at
first planned to bring his army to aid
in crushing Lee at Petersburg. but on
DecenOer rs had changed his mind and
had left SHERMAN free to act as he be-
lieved best.