A Journey in American History by Stephen Ambrose Historical Tours. THIS HALLOWED GROUND Runs annually in May, June, September and October See website or call office for dates and prices. A Patriotic Journey through the Civil War in Virginia and at Gettysburg The Civil War was the defining “touched by fire?” How were they event in American history. It trained? Until the turning point at was an ordeal by fire that cost Gettysburg, why did the Confederate the lives of more than 600,000 generals in the East think harder, fight American soldiers and left harder, and campaign better than the 300,000 wounded—casualties Union generals? And, finally, why did higher than all our other wars the North win? combined. Our historian will lead the group We study the military and conduct informal discussions campaigns and strategy throughout the tour. and delve into the We can learn from, and be causes as well as the inspired by, the skill, the courage, people who were and the endurance displayed by the willing to sacrifice generation that brought us through their lives and the Civil War. In addition to retracing property for their battles we include education sessions country, whether north to enhance our understanding of the or south. Who were war and people. those soldiers whose Our trip promises to be among our hearts were, in the words most memorable, and we hope that of Oliver Wendell Holmes, you will join us. www.stephenambrosetours.com | 504-821-9283 | [email protected] Day 1 - Welcome Reception This was the scene of John Brown’s raid in Schedule your flight to the Washington Dulles October 1859— a desperate act that hastened International Airport. The group will meet at the outbreak of war. Brown was hanged for a nearby hotel where we will have a Welcome treason on December 2, but the raid hardened Reception at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 7 p.m. radical sentiment for he was seen a martyr in the North and a radical insurrectionist in the South. The Battle of Antietam (Sharpsburg), September 17, 1862, was the bloodiest single day battle in American history with 23,100 men killed or wounded. Although neither side gained a decisive victory, Lee’s withdrawal and failure to carry the war effort effectively into the North caused Great Britain to postpone recognition of the Confederacy. It also gave President Lincoln the opportunity to compose and later issue the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, declaring all slaves free in the states still in Day 2 — Manassas: Confederate rebellion. Victories, Union Disarray Our program begins with a visit to the Day 4 — Gettysburg: Days One and Two battlefield at Manassas. The Battle of Gettysburg, lasting three days, Both the North and South thought that a war July 1, 2, and 3, 1863, was the bloodiest battle would be short. Union leaders believed their and the turning point of the Civil War. More greater resources and manpower would prevail than 50,000 Americans of both sides were while the Confederates casualties. doubted northern resolve. Gettysburg was General Lee’s final attempt to Always mystify, The first battle of carry the war north. Although nearly two years mislead and surprise Manassas (Bull Run) of fierce fighting still lay ahead, after Gettysburg the enemy; and July 21, 1861 saw the the prospects of a Union victory changed from if when you strike and proud but green Union to when. overcome him, never Army facing the better We will stand at Little Round Top, where the let up in the pursuit. led Confederates who 20th Maine Regiment, led by Colonel Joshua — Stonewall Jackson won a decisive victory. Chamberlain, repulsed several Confederate The Union Army assaults and preserved the Union position at retreated unpursued to Washington. Innocence and illusion were over for both sides. By the time of Second Manassas at the end of August 1862, both armies had gained combat experience, but the result was an even more significant Confederate victory. Day 3 — Birthplaces of Emancipation: Harpers Ferry, Antietam Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains at the confluence of the Shenandoah Cemetery Ridge. This action was described by and Potomac rivers, Harpers Ferry is one of the author Michael Shaara in his epic narrative The loveliest places in the eastern U.S. Killer Angels. www.stephenambrosetours.com | 504-821-9283 | [email protected] Day 5 — Gettysburg: Pickett’s Charge, heroic nursing of the wounded of both sides. Lincoln’s Address, The Civilian Experience We visit Chatham Plantation, where the “holy Today we walk the field of Pickett’s Charge, angel” from Massachusetts worked at her perhaps the most famous attack in American makeshift “hospital.” history. Barton had already helped the wounded As noted by historian James McPherson, at Antietam and Second Manassas. Later, she “Pickett’s Charge represented the Confederate would serve at the Wilderness and Spotsylvania war effort in microcosm: unsurpassed valor, and become supervisor of nurses for the apparent initial success, and ultimate disaster.” Union Army of the James. Fredericksburg and Of the 14,000 Confederates who attacked, only Chancellorsville were decisive Confederate about half returned.. victories. Wilderness and Spotsylvania were Some four months after the battle, President tremendous but tactically inconclusive Lincoln came to Gettysburg to deliver one of battles in Grant’s 1864 the greatest speeches in American history. Overland campaign. After We will visit Schriver House, a museum visiting Fredericksburg, “It is well that war is so terrible, else dedicated to the civilian experience during the we’ll continue to men would learn to Chancellorsville, where struggle. Dinner will be at the Dobbin House, love it too much.” we analyze the battle, see — Robert E. Lee where Stonewall Jackson Fredericksburg, received his mortal wounds 1862 and discuss the aftermath. Day 7 — Petersburg under Siege: The War returns to Richmond’s doorstep By the summer of 1864, the war in Virginia settled into a brutal siege around Richmond and nearby Petersburg that would last until the spring of 1865. We will visit the fascinating National Battlefield at Petersburg, scene of the Battle of the Crater. After walking the ground over which the battle took place, we travel a short way to visit the the oldest building in Gettysburg (1797) and memorable National Museum of the Civil War a stopping point for escaped slaves on the Soldier at Pamplin Historical Park. Underground Railroad. The Museum tells the story of the nearly 3,000,000 Americans — northerners and Day 6 — Fredericksburg – Richmond: The southerners, whites and blacks, immigrants and Heroism of Clara Barton – Chancellorsville native born — who fought in the Civil War. This morning we will return south to While at the Museum, we will explore Tudor Hall Virginia and visit Fredericksburg – a region of Plantation, which features a working kitchen and four major battles: Fredericksburg, December slave quarters that present a multi-media exhibit 1862; Chancellorsville, May 1863; The on antebellum slavery and plantation life. Wilderness, May 1864; Spotsylvania Court House, May 1864. Day 8 — Appomattox Richmond, the soul and Capital of the The final campaign began at Petersburg. Confederacy, was the northern army’s main the longest siege in American history, June target. The direct route from Washington to 1864—April 1865. The siege was a precursor Richmond passes through Fredericksburg. of the trench warfare of the First World War Clara Barton, later to found the American fifty years later. Only the considerable skill, Red Cross, won fame and gratitude for her courage and endurance of Lee’s army kept the Union forces out away from Richmond. But on www.stephenambrosetours.com | 504-821-9283 | [email protected] April 2 the northern army broke through and cut off the Confederate supply lines from the South, forcing Lee to retreat to the west. Grant pursued relentlessly, and virtually surrounded Lee’s army and forced the surrender on April 9 at Appomattox Court House. The United States was reborn. After visiting Appomattox, we will return to our hotel for our farewell dinner. Day 9 — Transfers to Airports Morning transfer to Richmond or Dulles Airport. This Notices Hallowed We have two other Civil War tours: Ground Western Theatre Civil War Tour: Runs annually in May, June, September Mississippi River— and October. See website or call office for Key to the Confederacy dates and prices. and • Three- and four-star hotel accommodations for eight nights, including hotel porterage Civil War on the • Breakfast and dinner each day Rivers, Rails and Mountains: • Professional historian and tour manager Atlanta, Chattanooga and Nashville • Entry into all museums, battlefields, parks and other sites visited For more information, call 504-821-9283, • Travel via deluxe, air-conditioned motorcoach or visit www.stephenambrosetours.com. • Post-tour transfers to Richmond and Dulles Airport to hotel www.stephenambrosetours.com | 504-821-9283 | [email protected] 181217 Stonewall Jackson and the Shenandoah Valley The Shenandoah Valley stretches for 200 miles between the $1,690 per person based on Blue Ridge and the Allegheny Mountains of Virginia. During the Civil War it was often called, “The Breadbasket of the double occupancy Confederacy.” As such, this region of rich farms marked by $300 single occupancy supplement if the Shenandoah River was a hotly contested area between the rooming alone Union and Confederate armies. When Gen. Jackson received command of the Valley District of Virginia, he was soon joined by his beloved First, or SEPTEMBER 2019 "Stonewall" Brigade. He soon had an army of 17,000 men and Optional Pre-Tour Extension: was about to make military history in a series of victories that, September 18 - 21, 2019 even though the Confederates were greatly outnumbered, Base tour: Sept.