In recent weeks, the Civil War Preservation Trust has acquired an 85-acre tract, with nearly 2000 feet of frontage on the Orange Plank Road, through which Jackson's mighty attack swept near dusk on May 2, 1863. The most notable Federal rally, brave but inevitably short-lived and futile, proceeded along what came to be known as "The Buschbeck Line." Tour leader, Bob Krick has secured permission to make our group the inaugural visitors to this, the Wagner Tract, which he calls the most significant battlefield purchase anywhere for many years past.

For 30 years Bob was Chief Historian of Fredericksburg/Spotsylvania National Military Park.  During that time he oversaw the purchases of the majority of the acreage now preserved at Chancellorsville. On our tour, as we walk across the battlefield, we will have occasion to hear the inside stories of the acquisition of key sites, along with the details of the 1863 events that made this the scene of Lee's greatest victory.

The campaign that unfolded in the thickets west of Fredericksburg at the beginning of May 1863 presented the greatest challenge to the legendary collaboration of Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson. The two Confederate leaders took on the heaviest odds that their army ever encountered, and also faced a tremendous disadvantage of ground as a result of skillful opening moves by their opponent, General Joseph Hooker.  The dazzling triumph that Lee and Jackson won at Chancellorsville aptly has been called “Lee’s Greatest Victory.” We will spend two days following the troops of both sides in their operations during this pivotal campaign, walking on the historic ground and reliving the dramatic experiences of 1863.

We will begin on Saturday morning by following the route of Lee’s main column as it headed toward Chancellorsville to block the Federal threat posed by Hooker’s turning movement. Our first stop will be the Zoan Church ridge where the Federal advance toward Lee’s rear ran into the newly arrived Stonewall Jackson and came to a halt. We will retrace the advance by Jackson westward, as he pushed the Federals back toward the Chancellorsville intersection. Then, we will stop in the midst of the May 1, 1863 battlefield, on land recently saved by the joint preservation efforts of all of us. Our next stop will be at the point where the Confederate pursuit on May 1 halted on a commanding ridge line perpendicular to the Plank Road.  There Lee spent most of the next day, feinting against Hooker to keep his attention riveted while Stonewall Jackson went around the enemy on his famous flank march.  We will walk across the 100-acre field where Lee’s skirmishers spent May 2 bewildering Joe Hooker.

We will proceed to Ely’s Ford, where much of the Federal army crossed the Rapidan River at the opening of the campaign, and where Confederate cavalry under J.E.B. Stuart was operating late on May 2 when word reached him that he was needed far to the south to take command of Jackson’s corps. We will continue on to the country crossroads where Lee and Jackson met for the last time, and hatched their phenomenal plan for marching across the front of Hooker’s army and into its rear.

Lunch will be at the battlefield visitor center, built almost atop the spot where Jackson fell mortally wounded on the evening of May 2, 1863. We will then drive back to the launching point of Jackson’s famous flank march, and ride the first two miles of that route, stopping near the birthplace of the great scientist and naval officer, Matthew Fontaine Maury, where Jackson’s column first came under view of the enemy. Another mile beyond the Maury site stand the ruins of Catharine Furnace, an 1830’s iron manufactory and a landmark on Jackson’s route. We will then hike the first three miles of Jackson’s route, pausing at three historic points along the way. (You are welcome to hitch a ride in our support vehicle at any point during this trek). By day’s end, we will have carried Jackson to the launching point of his attack.

On Sunday morning we will pick up Jackson’s story at the point where he launched his greatest attack.  Because three sizable farms in the midst of the flank attack have recently been preserved, we will be able to walk over the ground to a far greater extent than any tour group ever has in the past, and we will visit a site from which a 360-degree view spreads across the entire action. Bob Krick will tell us this dramatic story in considerable detail, and lead us onto private property not usually accessible to tour groups.

We will then visit the site of Jackson’s mortal wounding at the high point of the May 2, 1863 attack, and discuss what happened on that dark and smoky night in the Wilderness. The critical position on the battlefield on May 3, 1863 was Hazel Grove, an open hilltop ideally suited for artillery. We will visit Hazel Grove and then walk through the pasture that separates it from the Federal artillery strong point at Fairview, in the process covering the ground above which raged one of the most notable artillery duels of the war.

After lunch on the grounds of Ellwood (built 1790), where Jackson’s arm is buried, we will hike through the woods west of Chancellorsville to the site of the Chancellorsville Inn and the climax of the battle. A mile north, we will walk into the woods at the point where Hooker constructed tremendous earthworks to protect his army, a complex known as “Hooker’s Apex.”

Join Bob Krick for this exciting tour of Lee’s Greatest Victory including a hike of the newly preserved Wagner Tract. No matter how many times you’ve been to Chancellorsville, this tour will not disappoint. Space is limited so reserve now.

ABOUT OUR TOUR LEADER

Robert K. Krick is the author of many books including Stonewall Jackson at Cedar Mountain, Conquering the Valley: Stonewall Jackson at Port Republic; The Smoothbore Volley That Doomed the Confederacy: The Death of Stonewall Jackson and Other Chapters on the Army of Northern Virginia and Civil War Weather in Virginia. Early this year, the Civil War Preservation Trust will publish Bob’s new book, Lee's Greatest Victory: Chancellorsville. Clothbound and heavily illustrated, it will include old art, new photographs, and battle maps. The Wagner Tract near Wilderness Church, which we will visit, is featured in several photographs.

Saturday, April 10

8:15 AM                   Depart by Bus from Ramada Fredericksburg South

4:30 PM                         Arrive Back at Ramada Fredericksburg South

Sunday, April 11

8:15 AM                   Depart from Ramada Fredericksburg South

4:30 PM                    Arrive back at Ramada Fredericksburg South

REGISTRATION FEES (lodging not included)   

·        on or before January 31: $275         

·        February 1 through February 28: $295

·        After March 1: $325

If You Must Cancel we will refund 100% of your fees paid.

What is Included in your Registration Fee:

·        the services of an expert historian chosen for his knowledge and experience\

·        map package

·        transportation to sites as indicated  

·        Saturday & Sunday lunches

·        refreshments and snacks during the tour   

Lodging: We have reserved a block of rooms at the Ramada Fredericksburg South, 5324 Jefferson Davis Highway, Fredericksburg, VA (I-95 & US Rt. 1 – if traveling south on I-95 use Exit 126; if traveling north on I-95 use Exit 126A).The special rate for our attendees is $62.00 + tax, Single or Double for rooms with an exterior entrance; $68.00 + tax, Single or Double for rooms with an interior entrance. The hotel has an indoor swimming pool, jacuzzi, restaurant and lounge. You must MAKE YOUR HOTEL RESERVATIONS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Call 540-898-1102 and identify yourself as a registrant for the Civil War Education Association (CWEA) tour to receive the special rate. Or if up like, stay at the following which are within a half block walk of the Ramada: Country Inn Suites – 540-898-1800; EconoLodge – 540-898-5440; Days Inn – 540-898-6800; Super 8- 540-898-7100; Hampton Inn  & Suite – 540-898-5000.