Did Sherman purposely let the Confederate garrision in Savannah escape? Sherman's army reached the outskirts of Savannah by Dec. 10, 1864, and found it defended by a garrison of 10,000 men commanded by Gen. Hardee. Despite a Confederate attempt to stop him, Sherman managed to make contact with the USN by going around Savannah. That enabled the navy to supply him with the artillery that Sherman's army hadn't been able to bring with them on the March to the Sea, as well as ammo, etc. Sherman had the city surrounded, yet on the night of Dec. 20 the entire Confederate garrison managed to escape, a process that included crossing a hastily built pontoon bridge across the Savannah River.
It seems incredible that 10,000 men could escape without Sherman's forces noticing it. Hence there has long been a theory that Sherman chose to let them escape. Other than speculation, is there any historical evidence that Sherman purposely let them escape? If so, why?
"Sherman, along with Federal forces in Hilton Head, could have prevented Hardee's escape. Sherman was aware that the Confederates were building a pontoon bridge to South Carolina, yet upon his departure for Hilton Head Island on December 19, he left orders for his army not to attack the Savannah works until he had returned. Sherman's subordinates clearly observed the Confederate evacuation on December 20 yet did nothing to interfere with it. Sherman's victory in Savannah was won through default, not brilliant tactical maneuver."
source: National Park Service
The article also argues that he was somewhat nervous about his army being divided by a river, which may have stopped him from attacking earlier.
I have not heard of the theory you mention. Where might I find a discussion of it? There is no conceivable reason for Sherman to allow Hardee's men to escape.