Savannah, Georgia, December 25, 1864

In the night, the 20th, the Rebels left the town and we took it in our possession the 21st. They left many of their large cannons and other war material, and millions of dollars’ worth of cotton which will be of great advantage to us.

Savannah is a large city eighteen miles from the ocean, by the bay. The water in the bay rises and falls with the tide like the ocean does.

The land is low and swampy, the water is poor, we get our provisions from New York.

The Rebels have crossed the bay and into South Carolina.

The U.S. army are in good spirits and are happy over the lucky forward movements.

We are living in the hope that we can stay here awhile; but it is uncertain.

The last two days the weather has been cold. There is nothing yet to buy in town so the Christmas festivities will be dry and lean for us, but we are glad that we have enough crackers.

I am well, and so are the others that you know.

I mentioned in my last letter about buying a share in the mill (The wind-powered flour mill in Lake Prarie township in Nicollet County). That last letter was dated the 20th.

A printing press is already in use here in twon. Last evening we got the papers before they were dry.