During the night of July 4-5, 1863, Gen. Robert E. Lee’s battered army began the retreat from Gettysburg. Follow his route on this tour led by Civil War historian Ted Alexander. Emphasis is placed on the terrain between Gettysburg and the Potomac and how it affected the movements of both the retreating Confederate and pursuing Union armies.
From Cashtown Inn, where the wagon train of wounded began its journey south, the tour proceeds to Monterey Pass, where the Union cavalry attacked the retreating column. Also visit the site of the Battle of Smithsburg, where Gen. Jeb Stuart attacked the Union cavalry of Gen. Hugh Judson Kilpatrick.
The battles of Hagerstown, Funkstown, Boonsboro, and Williamsport are also discussed as the tour continues to Falling Waters, where Confederate Gen. James Johnston Pettigrew was mortally wounded. The fords where the Confederates crossed back into Virginia (as sporadic fighting took place) are the final stops on the tour.
A lunch is included at a nearby restaurant.
8 a.m. to 7 p.m. by bus from the Holiday Inn Capitol at 550 C St., S.W. (corner of 6th St. & C St.), with a pickup stop at the I-270 Exit 26 Urbana carpool parking lot at about 8:55 a.m.
