In
the late spring/early summer of 1864, Lt. Gen. Jubal A. Early led the tattered
survivors of Stonewall Jackson’s old Second Corps on a raid across the Potomac River into Maryland. Early’s resourcefulness prompted the widely respected topographical
engineer Major Jed Hotchkiss to proclaim the incursion “the most successful
expedition we have ever made into the enemy’s country.”
Indeed
“Old Jube” succeeded in upsetting the Union high command’s apple cart. After
some fighting around Harpers Ferry and Maryland Heights, Early moved on to Frederick which he threatened to burn if the town did not pay reparations for Federal
arson in the Shenandoah Valley, a demand the town’s fathers promptly met. That
same day, Early defeated Federals at Monocacy, a Confederate victory that is
often credited with saving Washington from capture by delaying the Southerners.
Be that as it may, Early pressed Jackson’s “Foot Cavalry” onward through the
oppressive summer heat toward Washington on July 11. Although the capital was
lightly defended, Early learned that night that Grant had sent two army corps
to reinforce the city, so Early prudently returned to Virginia where he
continued to “keep the Yankee nation in a perpetual ferment.”
After
an overview in Winchester on Thursday evening of our program, we will
set forth on Friday morning to the environs of Harper’s Ferry and visit Leetown, Bolivar Heights and Maryland Heights - sites where Early fought
Union troops under the command of the popular but incompetent Franz Sigel in
early July of 1864. We will then proceed to Frederick and the Monocacy Battlefield and explore in depth the so-called “Battle that Saved Washington.”
During our return to Winchester, we will debate Early’s actions and discuss
what Robert E. Lee truly desired his “Bad Old Man” to accomplish in Maryland.
On
Saturday, we will trace Early’s route back into the Shenandoah Valley. This
will include an unprecedented walking tour of the Battle of Cool Spring or Snicker’s Gap with visits to seldom seen sites. Here we will examine the
actions of Maj. General Robert Rodes and his men as they threw back an attempt
by Union Generals Horatio Wright and George Crook to bring Early to bay.
After
lunch, we’ll visit the last vestiges of the Rutherford’s Farm battlefield,
where William Woods Averell’s outnumbered Yankee force defeated Stephen D.
Ramseur in the only setback during Early’s campaign. Then we will close out the
day with Early’s masterpiece at the Second Battle of Kernstown. Here,
Early crushed Crook inflicting 1,200 casualties upon Crook’s force while losing
only 200 Confederates. We’ll visit Pritchard’s Hill, Opequon Church and key sites on the Confederate flank march that won the battle
for the South.
Join
us for exciting, detailed tour of the Confederate High Tide in the Valley in
1864!
About
Our Tour Leader
Scott C. Patchan is the author of The
Forgotten Fury: The Battle of Piedmont and Shenandoah Summer: The 1864
Valley Campaign. He served as a consultant and contributing writer of
Shenandoah 1864 (Time-Life Books Voices of the Civil War series).
Schedule
Thursday,
September 18
8:00 PM-9:00 PM Overview: Room 336, Winchester Travelodge, Winchester, Virginia
Friday,
September 19
8:00 AM Depart for Tour
5:30 PM Arrive Back at Winchester Travelodge
Saturday,
September 20
8:00 AM Depart & Continue Tour
5:00 PM Arrive Back at Winchester Travelodge
REGISTRATION FEES (lodging not included): Adult: $ 325 Under Age 23: $ 95
What is Included in your Registration:
· the services of an expert historian
chosen for his knowledge and experience
· transportation to all sites
· Friday & Saturday lunches
· refreshments and snacks during the
tour
· map package
If You Must Cancel: Your registration fee will be 100% refunded.
Base
Location and Lodging: We will be
based at the Winchester Travelodge, 160 Front Royal Pike, Winchester, VA
(at the intersection of I-81, Route 50 & Route 522 -use the Route 50 East
exit from I-81) where we have reserved a block of rooms at the special nightly rate
of $69.00 - Single or Double. This rate includes a complimentary
continental breakfast. Rooms are limited. Call 540-665-0685 and identify
yourself as a registrant for the CWEA tour to receive the special rate.
Other lodging, a short walk away:
· Holiday Inn – 540-667-3300
· Red Roof Inn – 540-667-5000
