Savannah True History Tours

05/22/2026

The last couple days have included Chattanooga, Missionary Ridge, Chickamauga, Pickett’s Mill, Atlanta, leading a tour at Griswoldville, and now Macon.

For an old Ranger who worked on the battlefields of Lee, McClellan, Jackson, and Grant, I did a pretty bang-up job of explaining Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign from Pickett’s Mill to Atlanta. I mean, I think I did at least.

Beautiful evening for a nightcap in Macon. Thanks to , , and for such a patriotic view!

05/15/2026

in 1777, Button Gwinnett challenged Lachlan McIntosh to their infamous duel. Political rivals before the Revolution, their animosity deepened as the war wore on. As Gwinnett gained political power, he ordered the arrest of Lachlan’s older brother. After Gwinnett made some poor military decisions, it came to a head when McIntosh publicly called him a “Scoundrell and lying Rascal.”

The next morning, they dueled. The duel took place not behind Colonial Park Cemetery as so many have claimed. Witnesses wrote the duel took place on one or Gov. Wright’s properties southeast of town. The men both shot each other. McIntosh recovered, but Gwinnett died three days later, becoming the second Signer of the Declaration to die.

Due to the scarcity of Button Gwinnett signatures, one auctioned in 2010 for $722,500, making his autograph the most valuable of all the Signers!

05/11/2026

05/11/2026

Another successful Louisiana trip is in the books. Though the weather prevented a visit to the Port Hudson battlefield, we got the rest in, including numerous historic home visits and a trip to Magnolia Cemetery, scene of the Battle of Baton Rouge.

Louisiana’s Old State Capitol is easily one of the most unique buildings along the Mississippi. Though Mark Twain hated it, I think it looks pretty dang cool. Full of exhibits, it’s well worth a visit.

Also, was excellent. With the rums made from Louisiana sugarcane, it’s as local as it gets.

Home for a week, then off to Chattanooga to rejoin the cruise!

05/06/2026

Today begins Year Three of the Civil War Battlefields Cruise. I arrived in New Orleans a couple days early for some historic exploring: The city’s Civil War-era city hall, the post-war home of Gen. Beauregard, the oldest building along the Lower Mississippi, the home where Jefferson Davis died, and even the house from the Real World (I know, I know). I was also due for a po’ boy from . Not only are they some of the best in town, they have photos of Peyton Manning all over. Go Vols.

We embark today on the American Splendor for a few days on the Mississippi. Can’t wait to get to know these guests over the next 36 days!

River

05/04/2026

Savannah True History Tours 🖤 One of the best tours I've ever done. Brandon (the owner) is an amazing storyteller — took us through the squares, the history, the geography, everything. Savannah is eerie, beautiful, and magical. I'm in love with this city. Highly recommend. 🌫️✨

05/02/2026

in 1981, Jim Williams shot and killed Danny Hansford in Mercer House on Monterey Square. Thus began the legal proceedings that would eventually capture the attention of the entire world. Jim would be tried for Danny’s murder four times, finally being acquitted by an Augusta jury in 1989. Just eight months after the Not-Guilty verdict, Jim died of a heart attack mere feet from where he killed Danny nearly a decade earlier.

Four years later, a book came out. Here in Savannah, it’s simply referred to as “the book” because it forever changed our city. You know what it is: Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. The release of the book exposed the world to Savannah, and tourism grew exponentially. The rest, as they say, is history!

05/01/2026

This July 4 will mark 250 years of the United States of America. In honor of that milestone, we’ll be offering a special edition of our Revolutionary Savannah Tour at 10:00 AM on Saturday, July 4. We’ll cover the coming of war, the major local players, and the bloody battles fought for possession of Savannah. We’ll even end on the remaining sliver of the 1779 battlefield. Tickets are now available on our website. We hope to see you then!

04/23/2026

Last night, we hopped over to Bluffton to see our friend speak at the Lowcountry Civil War Roundtable. While countless books have been written on Civil War POW’s, her talk focused on something most researchers have neglected: How some of those men chose to find ways to keep their spirits up in such horrible places. She used firsthand accounts to discuss many outlets: Religion, crafts, taking classes taught by other prisoners, writing letters, and even playing with lice and fleas!

This was an excellent presentation, and I look forward to seeing Dr. Allison speak again in the near future.

04/22/2026

in 1889, young Gracie Watson died at the Pulaski House Hotel on Johnson Square. Though not yet even seven years old, Gracie had made quite the name for herself with hotel guests. Her father managed the hotel, which during the Civil War had hosted the likes of Confederate President Jefferson Davis.

Gracie unfortunately fell victim to pneumonia, dying just one day after Easter. Her monument, now one of Bonaventure Cemetery’s most recognizable, was crafted by locally-famous sculptor John Walz.

Gracie’s brief obituary, on the other hand, is not quite as glamorous: It appears on the final page of the April 23rd Morning News, sandwiched between two ads - One for a marionette performance and the other for Darby’s Prophylactic Fluid, used to treat “Cholera, Diarrhoea, Dysentery, Inflammation of the Bowels or Colic.”

At least she’s remembered for her charming personality and beautiful monument!

A little P.S. for you hardcore Savannah history buffs: Rev. W.S. Bowman mentioned in the obituary was pastor of the Lutheran Church.