The American Civil War: The Western Campaigns

Fly from London to Atlanta, GA airport and transfer to our airport hotel or if making your own travel arrangements meet us at the hotel. Due to evening arrival of London flight, dinner will not be provided.

The struggle for control of Chattanooga and the Confederate victory at Chickamauga form the day’s historical theme. Explore Chickamauga National Military Park, including key battlefield positions, the museum, historic buildings and orientation centre. The fighting of September 1863 produced one of the Confederacy’s greatest victories in the Western Theater and temporarily halted the Union advance into Georgia. Continue to Chattanooga for the night. (B,D)

The day examines Confederate efforts to defend Tennessee and control the approaches to Chattanooga. Explore Point Park, the Cravens House area and Sunset Rock on Lookout Mountain before continuing to Stones River National Battlefield near Murfreesboro. These sites illustrate two crucial phases of the struggle for Middle Tennessee, where hard-fought campaigns gradually weakened Confederate control and strengthened the Union position in the Western Theater. Continue to Nashville. (B,D)

The destruction of the Confederate Army of Tennessee in the final campaigns of 1864 provides the day’s theme. Visit the battlefield and surviving historic sites at Franklin, followed by Fort Negley and locations associated with the Battle of Nashville. Franklin inflicted devastating losses on Confederate forces, while Nashville completed one of the most decisive defeats suffered by a major Confederate field army during the Civil War. An afternoon finish allows independent exploration of this fabulous home to Country Music with dinner at your own expense. (B)

The opening of the Confederate river defences in 1862 forms the focus of the day. Visit Fort Donelson National Battlefield, including surviving earthworks, the Cumberland River water batteries, visitor facilities and the historic Dover Hotel. Grant’s victory and the surrender of the Confederate garrison opened important routes into Tennessee, brought Grant national prominence and marked a major early breakthrough for Union forces in the Western Theater. Continue to Pickwick Landing, TN for two nights. (B,D)

The brutal struggle for control of southwestern Tennessee and the route towards Corinth shapes the day’s exploration. Visit Shiloh National Military Park, including the Hornet’s Nest, Pittsburg Landing, the final Union defensive line and Shiloh National Cemetery. The two-day battle produced enormous casualties, cost Confederate commander Albert Sidney Johnston his life and demonstrated that the war in the West would be prolonged and exceptionally bloody.

The strategic importance of communications and mobility across Mississippi provides the day’s theme. Begin at the Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center before visiting Brices Cross Roads and the battlefield at Tupelo. Corinth’s rail junction made the town a major military objective, while later fighting across northern Mississippi reflected continued Confederate efforts to disrupt Union operations and supply routes. Continue to Vicksburg for two nights.

The campaign for control of the Mississippi River dominates the day. Explore Vicksburg National Military Park, including Union siege lines, Confederate defences, forts, redoubts and artillery positions, together with the restored ironclad USS Cairo. The surrender of Vicksburg in July 1863 gave the Union command of a critical stretch of the Mississippi and severed the Confederacy’s principal east-west communications across the river.

The struggle to secure the lower Mississippi provides the historical theme. Visit the historic river town of Natchez, Port Hudson State Historic Site and examine Civil War sites around Baton Rouge. The surrender of Port Hudson shortly after Vicksburg completed Union control of the Mississippi, while Natchez and Baton Rouge illustrate the political, economic and military importance of the river communities caught within the wider campaign. Continue to New Orleans for our final two nights. (B,D)

Explore the history of New Orleans on a guided city tour, including the French Quarter, before visiting Chalmette Battlefield and Confederate Memorial Hall Museum. Free time allows for independent exploration of the city’s historic streets, museums and riverfront. In the evening, board a Mississippi River dinner cruise, combining views of New Orleans from the water with dinner and live entertainment. (B,D).

A flexible final day in New Orleans. Guests making independent return arrangements are free to depart the tour at their convenience or extend their sightseeing with a visit to the National WWII Museum. One of the city’s leading museums, it provides an extensive account of the American experience of the Second World War through exhibitions, artefacts and personal testimony. Return to hotel not before 16:30 where the tour ends unless you are returning with us from New Orleans to London on the late evening flight. (B).

Those booked on the group flight arrive back in London.