Edwin C. Bearss literally wrote the book about Grant’s stunning victory at Vicksburg with his definitive three-volume account of this pivotal campaign.  Mr. Bearss spent over 11 years as Park and Regional Historian at Vicksburg National Military Park. He knows the strategy, tactics and personalities of this battle perhaps better than U.S. Grant himself!  To walk the ground in the company of Ed Bearss is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

 HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

• A private, behind-the-scenes tour of the Vicksburg National Military Park’s lab with Curator Elizabeth Joyner.  We will see artifacts not on public display recovered from the wreck of the ironclad U.S.S. Cairo by Ed and Margie Bearss in 1964/65.
• At Champion Hill, Sid Champion V will escort us around the grounds and read us excerpts from Civil War letters written by his great-great grandfather, Sid Champion.
• Terry Winschel, author and former Park Historian of Vicksburg National Military Park will be a guest speaker one evening

 ITINERARY - Choose between the 7-night itinerary or the 5-night itinerary

February 25, Monday  Gather in Memphis, Tennessee at a welcome dinner.

Overnight Hampton Inn Memphis-Shady Grove.  (R,D)

February 26, Tuesday             Yazoo Pass Expedition

Begin at Yazoo Pass, scene of the Grant’s first attempt to negotiate the shallow bayous of the delta region of Mississippi.  O/N Hampton Inn, Greenville (B,L,D)

February 27, Wednesday       Battle of Chickasaw Bayou

Today we’ll learn how General Sherman’s army was decisively repulsed just above Vicksburg at the Battle of Chickasaw Bayou.  Tonight author and former Park Historian Terry Winschel will join us for dinner at historic Anchuca Mansion and present a lecture.  O/N La Quinta Inn, Vicksburg (B,L,D)

February 28, Thursday           Battles of Grand Gulf and Port Gibson

Today we’ll trace Grant’s bold end run from Grand Gulf, twenty-five miles south of Vicksburg to the battle of Port Gibson. His landing at Bruinsburg, was the largest amphibious operation in American history up to that time.  O/N La Quinta Inn, Vicksburg (B,L,D)

March 1, Friday                         Battles of Raymond and Champion Hill    

From Grand Gulf Union troops moved northeast to Jackson to seize the railroad line supplying Vicksburg and then swung west to Vicksburg.  Relive Grant’s dramatic victories at Raymond and Champion Hill and view a memorial to Ed’s wife Margie, “Matriarch of Mississippi History.”  O/N La Quinta Inn, Vicksburg (B,L,D)

March 2, Saturday                    The Siege of Vicksburg

Today trace the Union’s thrust across the Big Black River to the outskirts of Vicksburg.  Walk the battleground with Ed as he describes the early assaults and the laying of the siege. Tonight we will dine at Roca Restaurant & Bar.

O/N La Quinta Inn, Vicksburg (B,L)

March 3, Sunday                       The Siege of Vicksburg & USS Cairo

We conclude the tour of the Vicksburg Battlefield and hear about the city’s surrender on July 4, 1863, the day after the Union victory at Gettysburg.  We’ll see the Union ironclad USS Cairo, sunk in December 1862.  Ed Bearss was instrumental in finding and raising the ship a century after she sank to the muddy bottom of the Yazoo River. Museum Curator Elizabeth Joyner will give our group a private, behind-the-scenes tour of the Park’s archaeological lab. Toast our adventure at tonight’s farewell dinner at Cedar Grove Mansion. O/N La Quinta Inn, Vicksburg (B,L,D)

March 4, Monday Depart at your leisure after breakfast or ride our bus back to Memphis. Plan flights from Memphis after 1:30 pm.  (B)

THE VICKSBURG CAMPAIGN, February 25-March 4, Tour Cost* (8 days/7 nights)

Double:  $2,495 per person

Single:   $2,750

(Begins Feb 25, 6:30 pm in Memphis; Ends in Memphis 1:00 pm March 4)

WHAT'S INCLUDED:  

• Services of an Historian Expert Guide; Edwin C. Bearss is scheduled to lead this tour.
• Services of a professional Tour Director
• Guest speaker one evening in Vicksburg
• 7 nights accommodations
•  ALL MEALS but one dinner (7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 6 dinners, 2 wine/beer reception)
• Private coach for 7 days
• All excursions, admission fees and gratuities
• Pre-Tour mailings, map book and suggested reading list

 BATTLE OF VICKSBURG, February 27-March 4: Tour Cost* (6 days/5 nights)

Double:  $1,895            

Single:  $2,195

(Begins with dinner on Feb 27 and ends after breakfast March 4 in Vicksburg)

WHAT'S INCLUDED: 

• Services of an Historian Expert Guide; Edwin C. Bearss is scheduled to lead this tour.
• Services of a professional Tour Director
• Guest speaker one evening in Vicksburg
• 5 nights accommodations
•  ALL MEALS but one dinner (5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners, 1 wine/beer reception)
• Private coach for 4 days
• All excursions, admission fees and gratuities
• Pre-Tour mailings, map book and suggested reading list

*TOUR COSTS are based on a minimum of 15 participants

  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.