General Washington took command of the ill-trained Continental Army in a field in Cambridge Massachusetts in July 1775. The following year, under his command, the Americans forced the British out of Boston but failed to keep the British from occupying New York City and the Continental Army was forced to retreat back to Pennsylvania.  On Christmas Day 1776 in horrendous weather, Washington crossed the Delaware River in a daring surprise attack. The resulting victory not only reinvigorated the failing spirit of the Revolution, but galvanized colonial support and shocked the British. On this new tour, we will follow the military career of George Washington.  We’ll trace his early engagements in the French and Indian War and many of the American Revolution's key campaigns from New York to Yorktown.   Join us as we examine the decisions and actions he took through six grueling years of a war whose outcome was often in doubt.

THIS WAS OUR ITINERARY (11 Days/10 Nights)

Monday, October 18  Join staff and fellow travelers at tonight's welcome dinner.

Overnight at the Doubletree Hotel, Sterling, Va (near Dulles Airport)

 Tuesday, October 19  In 1755, General Braddock and his aid Col. Washington led British and American forces to Fort Duquesne, PA, in an attempt to drive the French from the Ohio Valley. We’ll trace Braddock's March to Fort Necessity.  Nearby at Jumonville Glen, in July 1754, a 22-yr-old Lt. Col. Washington ordered his men to fire on a French detachment igniting the French and Indian War.  O/N Mount Pleasant, PA

Wednesday, October 20   Ed will discuss Braddock's Defeat in July 1755.  At Fort Ligonier, we'll tour the musuem and the impressive reconstructed fortifcations, and we'll hear how Washington was nearly killed by friendly fire.  En route to York, we'll pause at the Flight 93 National Memorial.  O/N York, PA

Thursday, October 21    In 1776, American forces were driven out of New York and retreated to Pennsylvania. On Christmas Day, Washington crossed the Delaware River in a surprise attack. Three victories in 10 days (Trenton, Assunpink Creek & Princeton) resulted in the British evacuation of New Jersey.      O/N Carlstadt, NJ

 Friday, October 22          Morristown New Jersey served as winter encampment for the Continental Army in 1777 and 1779-80.  We'll see the Ford Mansion, Washington's headquarters and continue to tour his headquarters in Newburgh, NY.  At West Point, we’ll discuss Benedict Arnold's act of treason.           O/N Carlstadt, NJ

Saturday, October 23    Forced out of Boston in March 1776, the British concentrated on taking New York City. We'll learn how Washington’s decision to divide his forces between Manhattan and Long Island resulted in defeat. Following another loss at the Battle of White Plains, the Continental Army was pushed back to Pennsylvania.                                                                                                                                    O/N Carlstadt, NJ

Sunday, October 24       Having secured New York City, in 1777 General Howe concentrated on capturing Philadelphia. He organized an armada and sailed south. Howe drove the Continental Army was back at the Battle of Brandywine and in several other skirmishes, the Continental Congress fled to York, PA and the British marched into Philadelphia unopposed. We'll tour Valley Forge National Historical Park, where Washington rested and reorganized his battle-weary army.           O/N Valley Forge, PA

Monday, October 25         Today we'll continue with the Philadelphia Campaign with the Battle of Germantown and hear how Forts Mifflin and Mercer on the Delaware River fell to the British.  We'll tour Independence Hall before driving to Head of Elk where Howe's armada of 260 ships landed in August 1777.   O/N Elkton, MD

 Tuesday, October 26     We'll spend the day exploring sites in Alexandria, VA and Washington’s beloved home of Mount Vernon.      O/N Fredericksburg, VA

Wednesday, October 27          In 1781, the combined American and French forces under Gen. Washington and Lt. Gen. de Rochambeau overwhelmed Cornwallis’s fortified position at Yorktown.  We’ll tour the battlefield, the house where terms for surrender were drafted, and walk Surrender Field.              O/N Arlington, VA or Sterling, VA

Thursday, October 28          Depart at leisure. 

GEORGE WASHINGTON PROGRAM INCLUDES:
* Historian: Ed Bearss
* Tour Manager: Marty Gane
* 10 nights hotel accommodations
* one wine/beer welcome reception; 10 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 6 dinners
* all taxes, baggage handling and gratuities; pre-trip notes, reading list and map book

COST: 11 DAYS/10 NIGHTS

Double Occupancy: $3,325 per person

Single Occupancy: $3,750

  To enroll on this tour, print & complete the attached registration form and mail it with a $200 per person deposit check to:   South Mountain Expeditions, P.O. Box 204, Keedysville, MD, 21756.  Or call us at (301) 988-1852 or toll free at 1 (866) 914-1862. We accept VISA, Mastercard and American Express.