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What's New • October 2007
Greetings, Regulars and Other Friends

• Bad Hand Mackenzie: Legend of the Texas Indian Wars
• Neil Mangum: Master Storyteller
• New Group Photos:
  Crazy Horse and Custer: Legend of the Little Bighorn
  Paha Sapa: The Historic Black Hills
  The Sioux Wars: The Minnesota and Dakota Uprisings
• HistoryAmerica News Bits

Bad Hand Mackenzie: Legend of the Texas Indian Wars

General Ulysses S. Grant called him "the most promising young officer in the army," and the Indians knew him as "Bad Hand." From Civil War soldier to Indian fighter to madman, Ranald S. Mackenzie's captivating existence, his military career, and his dazzling accomplishments will be brought to life with Neil Mangum's comprehensive tour on April 27–May 4, 2008.

More than just forts, camps, and outposts of the past, the tour also will enthrall you with natural wonders of the frontier landscape. For instance, as the sun sets over Palo Duro Canyon, you will enjoy a Texas barbecue.
 

Neil Mangum: Master Storyteller

For everyone who has traveled with Neil Mangum, one thing stands out, the total balance in his approach to historical events with particular attention paid to fair and unbiased interpretation. On a learning vacation with this southern gentleman you learn not only dates and facts, but also the social issues of the times and the causes of the conflicts. We at HistoryAmerica TOURS are thrilled that Neil will be one of our historian guides in 2008 and will be introducing you to Bad Hand Mackenzie.
 

Crazy Horse and Custer: Legend of the Little Bighorn

Gathered at the monument marking the burial site of the enlisted men at Little Big Horn, tour members on Crazy Horse and Custer heard the moving story of the events and battles leading up to the famous fight and finally, the climax, the battle itself.

Karl Fredericks, Ft. Meyers, FL, a new HistoryAmerica traveler, said "I have been attending history tours for the past 10+ years, ... this ranks at the top."

Our thanks to Historian Guide Neil Mangum and Tour Director Bruce Airheart for making Crazy Horse and Custer a first rate learning vacation. They make a great team.

Note: Click on picture to see larger image.
 

Paha Sapa: The Historic Black Hills

One of the many highlights of Paha Sapa: The Historic Black Hills was the grand vista from the top of Crazy Horse Memorial, the enormous mountain-carving-in-progress dedicated to all Native Americans.

HistoryAmerica thanks Jack McDermott for a tour filled with learning and laughter. Eugene Lackey of San Francisco, who has taken 30 trips with HistoryAmerica said, "You showed me all I had not seen and done. WOW!"

Note: Click on picture to see larger image.
 

The Sioux Wars: The Minnesota and Dakota Uprisings

From Minnesota lakes to North Dakota badlands, Ed Bearss led tour members on The Sioux Wars relating accounts of the massacres, hangings, punitive expeditions, and decisive battles.

Frank Roberts from Stockbridge, GA, a HistoryAmerica regular, said that The Sioux Wars was "a very good trip, handled in a professional manner, and Ed Bearss was wonderful ..."

HistoryAmerica thanks Ed Bearss for his unrivaled style and the depth and breadth of information that he gives our travelers. Thanks also to Bruce Airheart for his exceptional ability to keep a tour running smoothly and on time.

Note: Click on picture to see larger image.
 

HistoryAmerica News Bits

Thanks to Pete Brown, founding owner of HistoryAmerica, for standing in at the welcome dinner for The Best of Bearss tour in Chattanooga. There were a lot of regulars who were really pleased to see Pete, and we got great reviews from them on both Pete and the tour. The general opinion is that there is nothing like a tour with Ed Bearss, the Pied Piper of historian guides.

Georgia and Michael just returned from the Antietam and Gettysburg tour with Jim McPherson. They were delighted to welcome twenty- nine new travelers to HistoryAmerica. Everyone vacillated between thrilled and awed in the company of this gentleman, scholar, and master teacher.

The office is really buzzing as we start to prepare for next year. The phones are ringing with reservations for 2008 and detailed planning is already in the works. There is a waitlist for Vicksburg, and many of the other tours are filling up quickly. If you have a favorite that you want to go on, don't wait too long.