Robert E. Lee Goes North

Next date May/June 2011

Following his decisive victory at 2nd Manassas in August 1862, Robert E. Lee decided to seize the initiative and threaten Washington by marching north.  Lee led his army of 55,000 across the Potomac River.  Union General George McClellan restored to command, pulled together the Federal forces and pursued.
The two armies clashed at Antietam, where in one day 22,000 Americans would become casualties.
The following year after a brilliant victory at Chancellorsville, Lee turned his attentions north once more.  But this time there was no “Stonewall’ Jackson to turn to.
If Lee had been able to defeat the Federal army on their own soil, then perhaps Great Britain would have recognized the south and the north might have sued for peace.

Gettysburg would be the ‘high water’ mark for the Confederacy

Itinerary.

Day 1

Fly in from London and arrive Washington Dulles Airport to be met by your guide/tour manager. Drive to Harpers Ferry Hotel. (2 nights)
Overview of tour.

Day 2

In late summer of 1862, after the Federal defeat at 2nd Manassas, General Lee marched north hoping that the citizens of Maryland would welcome his Army.  Strong Federal forces at Harpers Ferry and Martinsburg threatened his lines of communications.  Ordering General Jackson to neutralize Harpers Ferry, he divided his army.  Today we will visit the Historical Park, before taking a walking tour of this old town.  We will see where in 1859 John Brown and his men captured the armory and study Jackson’s attack against the town.
2nd night in Harpers Ferry.

Day 3

After the surrender of Harpers Ferry, the majority of Jackson’s men marched to join the remainder of Lee’s Army who were across the Potomac River at Sharpsburg in maryland, where the Battle of Antietam will be fought.  This day we will study the actions prior to the battle as both armies jostled for position at the gaps through the South Mountains, at Crampton’s, Fox and Turner’s Gaps
Hotel tonight in Hagerstown. (2 nights)

Day 4

Today will be spent at the Antietam, first a visit to the visitors centre, then a walking and driving tour of this impressive battlefield.  From the Cornfield to the Bloody Lane to Burnside’s Bridge we will follow the actions that lead to the ‘bloodiest’ day in US history.
2nd night in Hagerstown

Day 5

The following year after a his decisive victory at Chancellorsville, Lee crossed the Potomac once more with the intention of pressurizing the north into suing for peace, his hopes will end at a small town in Pennsylvania, Gettysburg.   As we drive the route taken by his Army, we can study the terrain and understand the reasons for this bold and daring plan.
Overnight at the Gettysburg Motor Lodge (4 nights)

Day 6

On 1 July 1863 a strong force of Confederates marched towards Gettysburg from the west, an initial reconnaissance had indicated that local militia only held the town.  The local militia was in fact John Buford’s cavalry brigade.  From this small skirmish a full-blown battle formed as more Confederates approached, Federal forces rushed up to oppose them. Outnumbered and outfought the Union soldiers fell back through the town to Cemetery Ridge. As night ended the Confederates opportunity to win this battle and end the war has been lost.
Today we will study in depth the action on 1 July.
2nd night in Gettysburg

Day 7

July 2 dawned hot and bright, General Lee’s Army were nearly all in place, today joint attacks on both ends of the Federal lines ‘the fishhook’ could have ended in victory.  On the federal left the way looked clear, little or no defense on the hills, Little & Big Round Tops.  The Union General Dan Sickles had moved his line forward into the Peach Orchard & Wheat field, in hope that this would give time for other defenders to be moved into place on the Federal left.  Bloody fighting took place all day and at the end the Confederates had not made the desired break through.
3rd night in Gettysburg

Day 8

During the night Lee’s rearguard Division joined the Army, General George Pickett’s Virginians. The Army of Northern Virginia had attacked both wings of the Federal forces, in Lee’s opinion the weakness would now be in the centre of the line, after a fierce artillery bombard 12,000 southerners stepped forward, in some cases a mile away the Federal lines belched cannon fire.  Heroically these men continued forward and many reached the Union lines only to be cut down or captured. With no reserves to follow up these limited successes, his men fell back. Neither side had the desire to continue the action on the 4 July; Lee then issued orders for his battered Army to return to Virginia.
Last night in Gettysburg.

Day 9

Before leaving Gettysburg we will visit the site of the major cavalry engagement on 3 July.  With victory in mind General Lee sent General Stuart with his cavalry north with the intention of disrupting any Union withdrawal.  The Union cavalry came of age that day, with George Custer leading his brigade in a charge. After an early lunch we leave for Washington Dulles arriving mid afternoon for an early evening flight to London.

Day 10

Arrive London Heathrow early morning