civil war battlefield bus tours

3 Outstanding Civil War Tours to Take in 2024

From Gettysburg in the North to the battlefields along the Mississippi to the wars that raged in the South, we are offering three outstanding Civil War tours in 2024 that will give you a panorama of the major events that began and ended the Civil War.

Civil War: Mississippi River Campaign Tour

You will visit the sites and battlefields fought along the Mississippi River, including Memphis, Shiloh, Vicksburg, Port Hudson and New Orleans, in a trip designed to reconstruct the struggle for the river and the key transport routes of the Confederacy.

“Good mixture of battlefields and museums. Quirky lunch stops were a fun surprise.” – Will Finigan

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Civil War: This Hallowed Ground Tour

You will retrace the battles of Manassas, Gettysburg, Appomattox, Harpers Ferry, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Spotsylvania, and Wilderness. We also offer an outstanding Stonewall Jackson and Shenandoah Valley pre-tour.

“If you want to understand how our nation became one from many, this tour is for you.” – Thomas Sutton

Civil War: War on the Rivers, Rails & Mountains

This touring adventure which winds from Atlanta to Lookout Mountain to Stone’s River and Nashville, will study the military campaigns and strategy of both sides, while delving into the minds of the leaders who were willing to sacrifice their lives and property for their countries.

“I loved everything about this tour. Perhaps a highlight for me was being at the top of Lookout Mountain on a misty morning imagining how it would have been with the two armies clashing at the ‘Battle above the Clouds’.” – Christine Strachan

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The Civil War - Eastern Theatre 10 Day Package

Available to Groups of 30 or More

Click on the tabs for more information

Price per person double occupancy.

Price Includes: Fully escorted by expert historian, moderate first class lodging, 2 full American breakfasts, 9 deluxe continental breakfasts, 4 theme dinners, 5 hotel dinners, theme evening events, deluxe motor coach transportation, transfers from and to airport, admissions to all attractions listed, guides, baggage handling, taxes & meal gratuities.

Not Included: Airfare, gratuities to driver & guide, travel insurance.

Airport transfers are included only when airfare is purchased from Pilgrim Tours. Taxi service is available for those purchasing their airfare elsewhere.

Deposit Required: $300 per person will reserve your place. A $100 service fee will be charged for cancellation at any time in addition to our normal payment and cancellation policy.

Join us as we follow in the footsteps of the Army of the Potomac exploring the costly battlefields like Manassas (Bull Run), Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, the Wilderness and Spotsylvania Courthouse. Experience what trench warfare was like in the 1860s at Petersburg, which led in turn to the fall of Confederate capitol of Richmond. Finally, learn more about Lee's surrender to U.S. Grant at Appomattox Courthouse. On our way to Gettysburg, the high-water mark of the Confederacy, we'll travel through the Shenandoah Valley to learn of the cavalry's importance in this fertile land of Virginia. Complete with experienced battlefield guides, this tour explores a turbulent aspect of our nation's history. See an ante-bellum Southern plantation, visit Pamplin Historic Park-Living History Museum of the Civil War Soldier, and view the infamous site of the world's first Ironclad naval battle. You'll return home enriched by the experience.

Day 1: Battle of Bull Run

We depart the Baltimore airport in the early afternoon for first battlefield of the eastern theater, Bull Run. Here, we'll explore the fateful encounter of July 21, 1861 that sent the soldiers under McDowell and civilian spectators scurrying back to DC. Even after the Union defeat at first Bull Run, Lincoln continued to press the DC to Richmond line which resulted in these grand armies meeting again. Almost one year later in late August, the Second Battle of Bull Run took place. Walk the grounds of these monumental battlefields and learn how "Stonewall" Jackson earned his name and how his men won their place in Southern legend. (Three nights in Manassas, Virginia)

Day 2: Antietem • Harper's Ferry

After an early breakfast, we'll head to South Mountain to learn more about the campaign which led to forces culminating at Sharpsburg (or Antietam), Maryland on September 17, 1862. At Antietam we'll view an educational film at the visitor's center reliving the bloodiest day in American history - a tactical Union victory. Next we'll visit the infamous landmarks of Dunker Church, the Cornfield, Burnside's Bridge, and the Sunken Road (posthumously named Bloody Lane). Our last stop in Antietam is at the Clara Barton Monument, honoring the founder of the American Red Cross. In the early afternoon we'll head to the nearby town of Harpers Ferry, set majestically on the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers. Harpers Ferry, always a thriving commercial town, received national fame when John Brown and his posse seized the federal arsenal in an attempt to end slavery.

Day 3: Fredericksburg • Chancellorsville

This morning we'll begin our sightseeing with a tour of the Fredericksburg battlefield and its surrounding sites. Learn about Ambrose Burnside's first and last battle on December 13, 1862 as the commander of the Army of the Potomac. We'll visit the Stone Wall, where countless Union soldiers fell before Lee's well-entrenched men on Marye's Heights. We'll view the monument to Confederate Sergeant Richard Kirkland, "the Angel of Marye's Heights," who risked his life to comfort the dying enemy. A short tour is scheduled of Chatham Plantation that served as both a Union headquarters and army field hospital. The afternoon tour will be comprised of a trip to nearby Chancellorsville, where new Union commander, Joseph Hooker, battled Lee in early May of 1863. Unfortunately, for the confederacy, the battlefield marks the spot where Stonewall Jackson was mistakenly shot by his own men. He died eight days later.

Day 4: The Wilderness • Spotsylvania

The Battle of the Wilderness was the first of many battles between "Unconditional Surrender" Grant and his formidable foe, Robert E. Lee. Through dense undergrowth and thicket, which caught fire - trapping many of the wounded, the two armies battled with catastrophic losses. While May 5 & 6, 1864 tactically ended in a draw, Grant and his men broke the stalemate and marched south to Spotsylvania Courthouse. We'll follow that path and spend the afternoon exploring this field, paying special attention to the infamous "bloody angle." Throughout that week in mid-May, the armies fought continually - resulting in Lee suppressing Union attacks and holding his ground. Although losses in the Army of the Potomac were running high enough to earn Grant the new derisive name of "Butcher Grant," he followed Lincoln's plan and continued to advance towards Richmond.

Day 5: Ante-Bellum Plantation • Hampton Roads

Today we'll take a break from the route of the Army of the Potomac and travel to the mouth of the James River to visit a working ante-bellum plantation. Situated directly on the river, these large agricultural centers were a huge part of pre-Civil War Southern society. After lunch, we'll head to Portsmouth to learn more about the Naval aspect of the "War Between the States." We'll view the site of the Ironclads where the USS Monitor and CSS Virginia fought their first battle rendering all other navies in the world obsolete. Later this afternoon we'll visit the historic district and some of Portsmouth's naval museums.

Day 6: Petersburg Battlefield • Pamplin Park

Today we'll join up with the Army of the Potomac and Lieutenant General Grant at the Petersburg battlefield and his headquarters at nearby Hopewell on the James River. At Petersburg, we'll visit the site of the Crater - the failed master plan of some Pennsylvania miners, which, unfortunately resulted in the slaughter of many soldiers of the USCT. After the nine-and-a-half month siege of Petersburg (and grueling life in the trenches), the city fell to Union troops. Today we'll learn why this event marked the fall of Richmond, and eventually the Confederacy. During the afternoon, you'll have the opportunity to explore, Pamplin Historical Park and the National Museum of the Civil War Soldier. Living history activities, replica plantations, battlefield walks (along the original siege line), and an interactive solider museum all help to bring Civil War realities to the twenty-first century.

Day 7: Richmond • Battlefields • Downtown

Our sightseeing today begins in Richmond, the capital of the Confederacy. We'll spend time visiting the surrounding battlefields such as Cold Harbor, Fort Harrison and others with our experienced guides. The afternoon is free for you to visit the downtown monuments to the South's most famous Civil War generals, tour a Confederacy Museum, or perhaps take in some contemporary entertainment.

Day 8: Appotomax Courthouse • Shenadoah Valley

After the fall of Richmond in early April 1865, the Army of the Potomac continued to press west in pursuit of the Army of Northern Virginia. We'll meet them at the infamous site of Appomattox Courthouse, where Lee formally surrendered to Grant on April 9, 1865. We'll visit the monumental meeting place of Grant and Lee, the McLean house, as well as the avenue where the defeated Confederate Army stacked arms. Although this marks the end of the Eastern Theater campaign, it doesn't mark the end of our tour. We'll continue west to the quaint, historic town of Lexington, Virginia in the heart of the pastoral Shenandoah Valley and visit the home of devout Presbyterian, Stonewall Jackson. Our journey continues to New Market where the brave VMI (Virginia Military Institute) cadets risked their lives to defend their homes. While here we'll visit the museum and historic monument. (Two nights in Hagerstown, Md)

Day 9: Gettysburg

Often called the "high water mark of the confederacy," Gettysburg has been lauded as the best-marked battlefield in the world. Hundreds of markers and monuments preserve the memory of those who died in the Civil War. After a visit to the educational visitor's center and museum, we'll embark on a tour of the battlefield and famous sites such as Little Round Top, Devil's Den, the Peach Orchard and of course, the infamous Pickett's Charge. Free time this afternoon allows you to explore your own personal interests such as the wax museum, a more in-depth look at the battlefield or a historic walk through the town.

Day 10: Transfer to Baltimore

We board our motorcoach this morning for Baltimore. Although our tour has ended, we are leaving with a wealth of memories, moving history and new friends.

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CIVIL WAR TOURS

Relive America's Military Heritage

Tel 301-676-4642

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UPDATE 2022

Dear Civil War Enthusiasts,

We have decided not to operate any tours for 2022.

We thank you for your understanding and a special thanks to all of you who have sent their best wishes and support! We wish you and yours health and safety. Take care.

Civil War Tours

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FROM PREVIOUS YEARS

THE PENINSULA CAMPAIGN

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THE VICKSBURG CAMPAIGN

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WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

About civil war tours.

Marty, Jim (Ogden) and Colonel Bearss,

Thank you, thank you, thank you!  Your Atlanta Campaign tour was the most informative, engaging and rewarding Civil War tour I've ever taken and I'm no stranger to our National battlefields, battlefield guides (both short term and day long) and personal investigations. The depth and breadth of presentation was second only to being there and lord knows I wouldn't want to have been there!  Truly a memorable and gratifying experience.

Charlie Vavrina

"This was our first bus tour so we had no idea what to expect. We enjoyed everything about it. The handouts/maps we were given were wonderful to help visualize what Frank O'Reilly and Ed Bearss were showing us.  Our bus driver was wonderful. We had a lot of fun and met some nice people!  We loved the knowledge of both Frank & Ed...love Ed's stories and how easy Frank made it to understand the battles and how intense the fighting was!"   -  Mike & BeeBee Naylor

Owner Marty Gane has over 30 years of experience designing, operating, and escorting study tours to many corners of the world for clients including the Smithsonian Travel Program and National Geographic Expeditions. Since 1994, she has had the privilege of working with legendary historian and battlefield guide Edwin C. Bearss. She has designed and escorted scores of Mr. Bearss’ history tours focusing on the Civil War, American Revolution, Indian Wars, and World War II.

rev.05.23.2021

P.O. Box 416

Keedysville md 21756, tel (301) 676-4642, fax 206) 666-4405.