‘ War on the Mississippi River
’Next date October 2011
Vital to the Confederate states, the Mississippi was a source of hogs, hominy and soldiers to the fledgling nation. It was also the natural highway for the northwestern states of the Union to ship their farmers' goods to the east and to import technology from the outside world. The river was critical to both sides. It had to be taken by the North to win the war. It had to be held by the southerners from the cities and forts along the river.
Day 1
Arrive at Memphis, Tennessee Overnight Memphis
Day 2
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 was 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. Today we will drive north to Fort Pillow where in April 1864 Gen Forrest attacked the Union garrison of about 600 men, which included 300 black soldiers.
Overnight Memphis
Day 3
We travel south via Helena where we stop at the Mississippi River overlook to discuss Sherman and his first attempt to take Vicksburg in (20) December 1862. Ironically on this same day Earl Van Dorn’s cavalry is destroying Grant’s Forward Supply Base at Holly Springs. We then cross the river to Moon Lake to speak about the Yazoo Pass Expedition that commences in March 1863. On arrival in Greenwood, we shall visit Fort Pemberton, the undefeated bastion that turned back a Union fleet in March of 1863.
Overnight Greenwood.
Day 4
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 Vicksburg
Day 5
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 Battlefield – Windsor, Bethel Church, Shaifer House to Grindstone Ford where Grant flanked Grand Gulf by crossing Bayou Pierre. Rocky Springs and Dillon farm where Grant made his decision on 12 May to change his course of manoeuvre.
Finally to the Raymond Battlefield before returning to Vicksburg.
Overnight Vicksburg
Day 6
We travel to the state capitol of Jackson and the Old Capital grounds. On to Grant’s HQ at Clinton, Greenwood Plantation, prior to the Battle of Champion Hill that we visit next and the Coker house site. To the Big Black Bridge Battlefield and the ruins of the old railway bridge.
Walnut Hills the point where Sherman experienced his ‘epiphany’ on May 18 when he and Grant arrived there overlooking the Chickasaw Bayou.
Overnight Vicksburg
Day 7
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. Later we will take a river trip to the mouth of the Yazoo River, to see events from the Navy's perspective.
Overnight Vicksburg.
Day 8
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 Baton Rouge.
Day 9
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
Day 10
We shall begin the morning with a tour of the Crescent city, and then a 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
Day 11
A visit to New Orleans’s excellent military museum this morning, the rest of the days is yours.
Overnight New Orleans.
Day 12
Depart hotel for airport and flight home.
Day 13
Arrive Heathrow early morning.
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