‘ War on the Mississippi River '

30 August
Day 1

Arrive at Memphis, Tennessee to be met by your guide.
Overnight Memphis

On 6 June 1862, from Island 45 just north of Memphis, the Union fleet launched an attack on Memphis at 16.00.  Within 90 minutes they sank & captured all but one of Confederate vessels.  The town surrendered and were occupied by the Indiana Brigade.  On the 21 August 1864, General N Bedford Forrest made a daring raid against Memphis; it was not an attempt to capture the city, but to capture three Union Generals; to release Southern prisoners and to cause the recall of Union forces from Northern Mississippi.
Overnight Memphis

We travel south, deep into the Mississippi Delta, the land of cotton and the blues.    On arrival in Greenwood, we shall visit the Cottonlandia Museum, to gain an understanding of this historic economy.  Then to Fort Pemberton, the undefeated bastion that turned back a Yankee fleet in March of 1863.  We shall move on to Florewood Plantation, an active working, historical home, practising the old traditions of Delta rural life.  The day will finish with a drive downtown to see the memorial building to the fallen sons of this true Dixie city.
Overnight Greenwood.

We move on to Yazoo City and the site where the C.S.S. Arkansas was fitted out, prior to her famous duel with the might of the Federal fleet down river at Vicksburg in July of 1862.  Approaching the 'Gibraltar of the South', Vicksburg, we shall visit Chickasaw Bluffs, the scene of William Sherman's rebuff by Confederate forces that December.
Overnight Battlefield Inn, Vicksburg

Today we drive south to Grand Gulf where on April 29 1863 U.S. Grant's plan to swing below Vicksburg, and so seize the city, met with repulse.  Next we travel the short distance to Port Gibson, scene of a heroic fight by southern troops, just two days later, in an attempt to delay the inevitable landings of the Union forces.  Following lunch, we move on to Rocky Springs.  Now a park, we see what happens to a community of 2000 that witnesses war and disease and becomes but a ghost town. On to Raymond where on May 12^th, a Confederate brigade took on a whole Federal Corps, in a one sided battle, to stall the enemy before the state capital of Jackson.
Overnight Vicksburg

We travel to the state capitol, to view the museum dedicated to the state of Mississippi, we shall view the Manship House, home of the governor, compelled to surrender his city to Federal commander, William Sherman on May 14th. From here we shall follow the path of the northern armies as they march west to the battlefields of Champion Hill, Big Black River and to the very gates of Vicksburg.  In the afternoon, we will have a short tour of the city and enjoy some free time.

Overnight Vicksburg

This morning we will tour the siege lines within the National Military Park, illustrating the mighty 47 day long struggle of 1863 and board the U.S.S. Cairo, the only remaining warship of the war.  After lunch, we shall tour downtown Vicksburg, viewing a number of the prominent homes that still stand and visiting the Old Courthouse, now a fine museum to the historic events that took place there in 1863.  We will take a river trip to the mouth of the Yazoo River, to see events from the Navy's perspective.  Overnight Battlefield Inn, Vicksburg.

. Today, we cross the Mississippi into Louisiana.  We shall see Grant's canal, dug in an effort to by-pass the city's fearsome batteries.  We will visit another such venture at Duckport, before stopping at Milliken's Bend, site of the gathering Union armies and scene of a short, vicious battle in June 1863, involving freed black troops in their first, ever fight.

Then, on to civil war Port Hudson, the site of the longest siege in American history and a 'sister' to Vicksburg, itself.
Overnight Hotel, Baton Rouge.

Today we shall visit the Capitol, built by governor, Huey Long, in the 30's, and enjoy the view across the city and along the river.  We shall visit Magnolia cemetery and trace the route of the August 1862 battle, fought when confederate forces sought to retake the city.  After lunch, we shall move on south, passing Lake Ponchartrain.
Overnight, New Orleans

We shall begin the morning with a tour of the Crescent city, and then a guided visit to the Memorial Hall of the Confederacy.  We will then spend the rest of the day with a local historian who will show us ‘Butler's' Civil War New Orleans.
Overnight New Orleans

11 September
Day 12