Civil War historian Ed C. Bearss leads this study tour from Petersburg National Battlefield—site of a 10-month campaign during which 70,000 were killed or wounded— to Appomattox Court House, where Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered to Gen. Ulysses S. Grant.
From there the group proceeds to City Point in Hopewell, where the Union Army established a huge supply base, and the site of Appomattox Manor, where Grant made his headquarters from mid-June 1864 until March 1865.
The tour continues to Pamplin Park, where Union troops broke through Confederate defenses, leading to the evacuation of Petersburg and Richmond. Lunch is included at the Hardtack & Coffee Cafe. Overnight accommodations and Saturday’s dinner are provided in Farmville.
After breakfast on Sunday morning, the drive west follows the line of Lee’s retreat from Petersburg to Sayler’s Creek Battlefield. The group travels to the site of Rice’s Station, where Bearss interprets the battles of High Bridge and Cumberland Church.
In Appomattox Court House National Park, view the the restored village and the scene of Lee’s surrender to Grant at the McLean House. Lunch at a local restaurant is followed by other Appomattox-area stops, including the knoll overlooking the Appomattox River where Lee and Grant met on horseback.
Sat., Nov. 17, 7 a.m., to Sun., Nov. 18, 8:30 p.m., by bus from the Natural History Museum, Constitution Ave. entrance, with a pickup stop at the Horner Road commuter lot bus shelter, I-95, Exit 158B, at about 7:25 a.m.
Single-room supplement $65
Singles registering at the double-room rate are paired (on a nonsmoking basis) if possible, but must pay the single-room supplement if not.
Detailed information is mailed to participants four weeks prior to departure.
Those taking overnight tours may wish to purchase travel insurance.
