Available to Groups of 30 or More
    

Day 1: Battle of Bull Run
We depart the Baltimore airport in the early afternoon for first battlefield of the eastern theater, Bull Run. Here, we'll explore the fateful encounter of July 21, 1861 that sent the soldiers under McDowell and civilian spectators scurrying back to DC. Even after the Union defeat at first Bull Run, Lincoln continued to press the DC to Richmond line which resulted in these grand armies meeting again. Almost one year later in late August, the Second Battle of Bull Run took place. Walk the grounds of these monumental battlefields and learn how "Stonewall" Jackson earned his name and how his men won their place in Southern legend. (Three nights in Manassas, Virginia)

Day 2: Antietem • Harper's Ferry
After an early breakfast, we'll head to South Mountain to learn more about the campaign which led to forces culminating at Sharpsburg (or Antietam), Maryland on September 17, 1862. At Antietam we'll view an educational film at the visitor's center reliving the bloodiest day in American history - a tactical Union victory. Next we'll visit the infamous landmarks of Dunker Church, the Cornfield, Burnside's Bridge, and the Sunken Road (posthumously named Bloody Lane). Our last stop in Antietam is at the Clara Barton Monument, honoring the founder of the American Red Cross. In the early afternoon we'll head to the nearby town of Harpers Ferry, set majestically on the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers. Harpers Ferry, always a thriving commercial town, received national fame when John Brown and his posse seized the federal arsenal in an attempt to end slavery.

Day 3: Fredericksburg • Chancellorsville
This morning we'll begin our sightseeing with a tour of the Fredericksburg battlefield and its surrounding sites. Learn about Ambrose Burnside's first and last battle on December 13, 1862 as the commander of the Army of the Potomac. We'll visit the Stone Wall, where countless Union soldiers fell before Lee's well-entrenched men on Marye's Heights. We'll view the monument to Confederate Sergeant Richard Kirkland, "the Angel of Marye's Heights," who risked his life to comfort the dying enemy. A short tour is scheduled of Chatham Plantation that served as both a Union headquarters and army field hospital. The afternoon tour will be comprised of a trip to nearby Chancellorsville, where new Union commander, Joseph Hooker, battled Lee in early May of 1863. Unfortunately, for the confederacy, the battlefield marks the spot where Stonewall Jackson was mistakenly shot by his own men. He died eight days later.

Day 4: The Wilderness • Spotsylvania
The Battle of the Wilderness was the first of many battles between "Unconditional Surrender" Grant and his formidable foe, Robert E. Lee. Through dense undergrowth and thicket, which caught fire - trapping many of the wounded, the two armies battled with catastrophic losses. While May 5 & 6, 1864 tactically ended in a draw, Grant and his men broke the stalemate and marched south to Spotsylvania Courthouse. We'll follow that path and spend the afternoon exploring this field, paying special attention to the infamous "bloody angle." Throughout that week in mid-May, the armies fought continually - resulting in Lee suppressing Union attacks and holding his ground. Although losses in the Army of the Potomac were running high enough to earn Grant the new derisive name of "Butcher Grant," he followed Lincoln's plan and continued to advance towards Richmond.

Day 5: Ante-Bellum Plantation • Hampton Roads
Today we'll take a break from the route of the Army of the Potomac and travel to the mouth of the James River to visit a working ante-bellum plantation. Situated directly on the river, these large agricultural centers were a huge part of pre-Civil War Southern society. After lunch, we'll head to Portsmouth to learn more about the Naval aspect of the "War Between the States." We'll view the site of the Ironclads where the USS Monitor and CSS Virginia fought their first battle rendering all other navies in the world obsolete. Later this afternoon we'll visit the historic district and some of Portsmouth's naval museums.

Day 6: Petersburg Battlefield • Pamplin Park
Today we'll join up with the Army of the Potomac and Lieutenant General Grant at the Petersburg battlefield and his headquarters at nearby Hopewell on the James River. At Petersburg, we'll visit the site of the Crater - the failed master plan of some Pennsylvania miners, which, unfortunately resulted in the slaughter of many soldiers of the USCT. After the nine-and-a-half month siege of Petersburg (and grueling life in the trenches), the city fell to Union troops. Today we'll learn why this event marked the fall of Richmond, and eventually the Confederacy. During the afternoon, you'll have the opportunity to explore, Pamplin Historical Park and the National Museum of the Civil War Soldier. Living history activities, replica plantations, battlefield walks (along the original siege line), and an interactive solider museum all help to bring Civil War realities to the twenty-first century.

Day 7: Richmond • Battlefields • Downtown
Our sightseeing today begins in Richmond, the capital of the Confederacy. We'll spend time visiting the surrounding battlefields such as Cold Harbor, Fort Harrison and others with our experienced guides. The afternoon is free for you to visit the downtown monuments to the South's most famous Civil War generals, tour a Confederacy Museum, or perhaps take in some contemporary entertainment.

Day 8: Appotomax Courthouse • Shenadoah Valley
After the fall of Richmond in early April 1865, the Army of the Potomac continued to press west in pursuit of the Army of Northern Virginia. We'll meet them at the infamous site of Appomattox Courthouse, where Lee formally surrendered to Grant on April 9, 1865. We'll visit the monumental meeting place of Grant and Lee, the McLean house, as well as the avenue where the defeated Confederate Army stacked arms. Although this marks the end of the Eastern Theater campaign, it doesn't mark the end of our tour. We'll continue west to the quaint, historic town of Lexington, Virginia in the heart of the pastoral Shenandoah Valley and visit the home of devout Presbyterian, Stonewall Jackson. Our journey continues to New Market where the brave VMI (Virginia Military Institute) cadets risked their lives to defend their homes. While here we'll visit the museum and historic monument. (Two nights in Hagerstown, Md)

Day 9: Gettysburg
Often called the "high water mark of the confederacy," Gettysburg has been lauded as the best-marked battlefield in the world. Hundreds of markers and monuments preserve the memory of those who died in the Civil War. After a visit to the educational visitor's center and museum, we'll embark on a tour of the battlefield and famous sites such as Little Round Top, Devil's Den, the Peach Orchard and of course, the infamous Pickett's Charge. Free time this afternoon allows you to explore your own personal interests such as the wax museum, a more in-depth look at the battlefield or a historic walk through the town.

Day 10: Transfer to Baltimore
We board our motorcoach this morning for Baltimore. Although our tour has ended, we are leaving with a wealth of memories, moving history and new friends.

Price per person:
Small Group Discounts Available

Price Includes: Fully escorted by expert historian, moderate first class lodging, 2 full American breakfasts, 9 deluxe continental breakfasts, 4 theme dinners, 5 hotel dinners, theme evening events, deluxe motor coach transportation, transfers from and to airport, admissions to all attractions listed, guides, baggage handling, taxes & meal gratuities.

Not Included: Airfare, gratuities to driver & guide, travel insurance.

Discounted Air Fare Available Nation-wide!

  

copyright (Pilgrim Tours) 2001