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The Gettysburg Campaign October 2011 |
Fought during the first three days of July 1863, the Battle of Gettysburg was one of the crucial battles of the Civil War. Often referred to as the "High Water Mark of the Rebellion", it was the war's bloodiest battle with 51,000 casualties. This in-depth tour of the complete Gettysburg Campaign was led by author and preeminent battlefield guide, Edwin C. Bearss, who was featured in Ken Burns' Civil War film series.
We examined the action from the days in early June when General Robert E. Lee began his second and most ambitious invasion of the North. We followed Lee across the Potomac into Maryland and traced J.E.B. Stuart’s ride around the Union Army. We spent three and half days walking the ground and discussing the Battle of Gettysburg. We aslo saw sites pertaining to Lincoln’s visit to Gettysburg in November 1863 for the dedication of the National Cemetery and we heard “President Lincoln” (Lincoln Impersonator Jim Getty) present the Gettysburg Address. Our tour concluded with Lee’s retreat to Virginia.. THIS WAS OUR ITINERARY .....
Wednesday, October 12Join staff and fellow travelers at a Dulles Airport hotel for our welcome dinner. Overnight at Doubletree Dulles Airport Hotel (R,D) Thursday, October 13We’ll begin our tour in Culpeper, VA with the Battle of Brandy Station (June 9, 1863), the largest cavalry battle of the war and the opening engagement of the Gettysburg Campaign. J.E.B. Stuart’s cavalry screened Lee’s army as it marched north behind the sheltering Blue Ridge. We’ll visit sites at Aldie (June 17), Middleburg (June 17-19) and Upperville (June 21) where Stuart’s men clashed with Union cavalry. O/N Hampton Inn, Leesburg, VA (B,L,D) Friday, October 14 Today Ed will examine J.E.B. Stuart’s ill-fated ride around the Union Army (June 24- July 2), as it marched north in search of Lee. For over a week, Stuart was not in position to effectively screen Lee's advance or to provide intelligence on the movements of the Federal army. In Hanover, PA, we’ll learn how Stuart was nearly captured by Union cavalry. O/N Gettysburg Hotel, Gettysburg (B,L) Saturday, October 15 On July 1, Confederate forces converged on the borough of Gettysburg from west and north, driving Union defenders back through the streets to Cemetery Hill. During the night, reinforcements arrived for both sides. In addition to “Day One” sites, we’ll visit the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center. O/N Gettysburg Hotel, Gettysburg (B,L) Sunday, October 16On July 2, Lee attempted to envelop the Federals, first striking the Union left flank at the Peach Orchard, Wheatfield, Devil’s Den, and the Round Tops with Longstreet’s and Hill’s divisions, and then attacking the Union right at Culp’s and East Cemetery Hills with Ewell’s divisions. We’ll visit the farm of a local historian who will take us to “Lost Avenue” (Neill Avenue), the far right flank of the Union Army. O/N Gettysburg Hotel, Gettysburg (B,L) Monday, October 17During the morning of July 3, the Confederate infantry were driven from Culp’s Hill. In the afternoon, Lee attacked the Union center on Cemetery Ridge. The Pickett-Pettigrew-Trimble assault (Pickett’s Charge) momentarily pierced the Union line but was driven back with severe casualties. We’ll also see the Gettysburg Cyclorama. O/N Gettysburg Hotel, Gettysburg (B,L) Tuesday, October 18Two significant cavalry battles took place on July 3rd . We’ll hear about both as we visit East Cavalry Field and a field near Big Round Top, sometimes called South Cavalry Field. We’ll end the day with sites connected to Lincoln’s visit to Gettysburg in November 1863 for the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery. We’ll meet “President Lincoln” when impersonator James Getty joins us this evening. O/N Gettysburg Hotel, Gettysburg (B,L,D) Wednesday, October 19On July 4, Lee began withdrawing his army toward Williamsport on the Potomac River. His train of wounded stretched more than seventeen miles. We’ll spend the day tracing the route of his retreat back to Virginia. Celebrate our adventure at tonight’s farewell dinner.O/N Doubletree Dulles Airport Hotel (B,L,D) Thursday, October 20Depart at your leisure after breakfast. (B)
Or you may wish to take an optional tour of “John Wilkes Booth Escape Route.” Booth Escape Optional Tour, October 20-21, October 20, Thursday Today we’ll follow Booth’s route of escape from Ford’s Theater to the Surratt House, on to Dr. Mudd’s home, and finally to the site of the Garrett Barn in eastern Virginia where a Union cavalryman shot the cornered Booth. O/N Doubletree Dulles Airport Hotel (B,L,D) October 21, Friday Individual departures. (B) EXPERT GUIDE: Chief Historian Emeritus of the National Park Service, Edwin C. Bearss is an author, lecturer and America's foremost battlefield guide. Ed's encyclopedic knowledge and unflagging energy is legendary; Ed brings history alive like no other. Two of his recent books are Fields of Honor and Receding Tide: Vicksburg and Gettysburg – The Campaigns that Changed the Civil War. GETTYSBURG PROGRAM INCLUDES: COST: 9 DAYS/8 NIGHTS |
