Tour & Cruise Schedule  •   Terms & Conditions

Sept. 25–Oct. 2, 2007

• Overview
• Historian Guide: Ed Bearss
• Itinerary 8 days / 7 nights
• Click to see PDF map
• Cost

To book this tour, call (800) 628-8542

  Overview

“The Best of Bearss” series continues in 2007 with the fifth version, “The Campaign for East Tennessee.” The personalities are strong among leaders like Braxton Bragg, William Rosecrans, James Longstreet and Ulysses Grant. The major battles are epic, Chickamauga being the most significant Union defeat in the Western Theater. The cavalry raids are memorable and the strategy of the leaders fascinating. The legendary Ed Bearss brings this entirely new package your way along with the passion and poignancy only he can provide. We will
be in the same hotel the entire time, always a plus with travelers.

“The Best of Bearss” never fails to sell out, so be sure to sign up now before it is too late.

Edwin C. Bearss

Born in Billings, Montana, Ed grew up in the shadow of the Little Bighorn Battlefield. Now Chief Historian Emeritus of the National Park Service, he is the most legendary battlefield guide in America, the recipient of multiple awards in the fields of history and preservation, and the author of many important works on the Civil War.

  Day by Day

Tuesday, Sept. 25 – Gather at the Chattanooga Doubletree Hotel for a welcome briefing and dinner hosted by Ed Bearss and HistoryAmerica.

Wednesday, Sept. 26 – Crossing the Tennessee: We start in August 1863 reliving how Bragg was outflanked in a masterful campaign by Rosecrans, who crossed the river with hardly the loss of a man. He then became overconfident and soon found his army imperiled.

Thursday, Sept. 27 – Chickamauga: Witness a Confederate victory in the bloodiest two-day battle in the Western Theater. The stand on Snodgrass Hill led by George Thomas saved the Union from total disaster and allowed them to retreat into Chattanooga.

Friday, Sept. 28 – Chattanooga: Revisit a crucial three-day battle, climaxing with the Army of the Cumberland sweeping the Confederates off Missionary Ridge and sending them fleeing back to Georgia. We will relive the panorama as it unfolds, highlighted by Orchard Knob and Lookout Mountain.

Saturday, Sept. 29 – Knoxville: Head northeast today to see where Longstreet was dispatched on a mission to crush the army of Burnside. The Confederates fumbled, failed to get to Campbell’s Station in time, and then conducted an assault on Fort Sanders that was both a tactical and strategic failure.

Sunday, Sept. 30 – Rocky Face: See where the Federals took pressure off Sherman’s Meridian campaign in February 1864 with a demonstration at Rocky Face Ridge that compelled the Confederates to recall their forces.

Monday, Oct. 1 – The Raids: Learn why Chattanooga drew attention from both Union and Confederate cavalry. Visit the Sequatchie Valley and the Union lifeline, the Western & Atlantic Railroad, during this fast-paced final day.

Tuesday, Oct. 2 – Departure: Depart Chattanooga at your leisure following breakfast.

  Cost ~ 8 days / 7 nights

Historian Guide Ed Bearss
Services of a professional tour director
Deluxe transportation
All admissions to included features
Seven nights hotel accommodations
Seven breakfasts, six lunches, four dinners
Taxes, baggage handling, and gratuities on included features
Suggested reading list

Per person, double occupancy: $2,565
Per person, single occupancy: $2,995