The Civil War Remembered: A Civil War Sesquicentennial Tour

• Itinerary
• Prices & Information
• Gallery
• Weather

The People, The Places, The History

“What a cruel thing is war; to separate & destroy families and mar the purest joys and happiness God has granted us in this world; to fill our hearts with hatred instead of love for our neighbors, and to devastate the fair face of this beautiful world!”

Robert E Lee in letter to his wife, Christmas 1862

Day 1- Home to Bloomington, IL

We begin our Civil War Remembered Tour today and travel towards Bloomington, IL. As we travel over the miles today we will share some history of the civil war through video, helping set the scene for what lies ahead. We’ll arrive at our hotel and get settled in tonight as we anticipate all that’s to come.

Hotel: Hawthorne Suites

Included Meals: Lunch

Day 2 – Bloomington, IL to Paducah, KY

This morning we will make our first stop in Springfield, IL at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. We will not only enjoy the history of our 16th President but this library also stages exhibits that showcase its impressive historical holdings relating to all aspects of Illinois history, including an extensive Civil War collection and strong offerings on slavery and abolition, early settlement, church and community histories, and Illinois coal mining. Following lunch in Springfield, we will travel south towards Paducah, KY, a river town that had its own Civil War battle.

Hotel: Drury Inn & Suites

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3 – Paducah, KY to Pickwik, TN

Our day begins with a drive through “The Land Between the Lakes,” nestled between the beautiful Kentucky and Barkley Lakes you will enjoy this scenic drive on our way to Fort Donelson, TN. At Fort Donelson we will spend time on the battlefield that was the sight of the first major defeat of the Confederacy and the first victory for Union Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant. This victory gave the Union control of the Cumberland River and poised the Union troops for a move into the Deep South. We continue our journey south heading for the Shiloh Battlefield Visitors Center. We’ll do some preliminary reconnaissance on this battle in preparation for our morning battlefield tour. Dinner tonight is at a local landmark, the “Catfish Hotel.”

Hotel: Hampton Inn

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4 – Pickwick, TN to Vicksburg, MS

As dawn breaks today we will step onto the Shiloh Battlefield at the National Military Park with our expert local guide. While the battle at Fort Donelson was for control of the river, the battle at Shiloh was for control of the Railroad at Corinth, just south of here. Two days of battle on this sight ended with Union victory. We’ll walk part of the battlefield, including “Hornet’s Nest,” where in over 7 1/2 hours eleven separate assaults took place. This Union victory left Memphis and Corinth, where we travel to next, in Union range. As we travel through Corinth we will gain a clearer understanding of the significance of controlling the railroad in this strategic area. We will make a stop for lunch in Tupalo before we continue deeper south towards Vicksburg. On our way we’ll pass other battlefield sights and enjoy the beauty of the Mississippi countryside. We’ll check into our hotel and our evening will include time at another antebellum mansion, the Cedar Grove Mansion Inn and Restaurant. This mansion survived the battle of Vicksburg but has some battle scars, including a cannon ball still lodged in the parlor wall! We’ll enjoy our meal as we reminisce about the great day we have experienced.

Hotel: Holiday Inn Express (2 nights)

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5 – Vicksburg, MS

After being defeated in Vicksburg in 1862, the Union knew that Vicksburg was an essential victory in their march to ultimate victory in the war. A victory here would win control of the Mississippi River and split the Confederacy in two. Thus the victory here in March to July of 1863 established Ulysses S. Grant’s reputation as a brilliant field commander. We will begin our morning with a video about the battle before we travel the battlefield with our expert guide. Many monuments and markers will remind us of important battles on this battlefield. We will stop and look out over the battlefield and see how the numerous battles unfolded back in 1863. Part of the Vicksburg Military Park includes the raised structure of the ironclad vessel, the U.S.S. Cairo. We’ll take a first-hand look at this structure and enjoy the story of how it was raised from its Yazoo River graveyard in the 1960’s and brought to the Military Park in the 70’s. Following our time in the Military Park, we will have an included lunch at the antebellum Anchuca Mansion Inn. This mansion stood proud through the siege of Vicksburg and provided shelter to many in the area. Afternoon stops will include the Old Court House museum, one of Vicksburg’s most historic structures. As you can imagine, this museum will be filled with many Civil War era treasures. Just a few blocks away is the Biedenham Coca-Cola Museum. Did you know that the first place in the world that Coca-Cola was bottled was in Vicksburg? This old candy store turned museum will offer a great “pause that refreshes!” Oh, and don’t forget to get that coke float before we leave! Evening and dinner are on your own.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6 – Vicksburg, MS to Chattanooga, TN

Today is a travel day. We’ll travel through Jackson, the capital of Mississippi and on past Tuscaloosa and Birmingham, AL. Enjoy conversations with your fellow traveling friends and the sights of the south as we near Chattanooga. We’ll check into the famous Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel for a two night stay. Tonight we’ll attend the Buttunwillow Church Civil War Dinner Theatre. After a great meal we will get a taste of history presented in a delightful manner that will entertain us all!

Hotel: Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel (2 Nights)

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7 – Chattanooga Area

We begin our day with the help of our expert step-on guide who will set the stage for the importance of this area during the Civil War period. We’ll travel to the Chickamauga and Chattanooga Battlefields. The Battle of Chickamauga in September of 1863 was won by the Confederate army but the Union gained control of the City of Chattanooga and the railway. In November the Battle of Chattanooga took place and the Union forces were victorious and opened their drive to Atlanta. We’ll spend time hearing about these battles and we’ll have a chance to walk over the fields where soldiers fought face to face. Our day will continue with a stop at the Gordon-Lee Mansion for lunch. This mansion was the only structure that survived this battle. Then a city tour and a ride on the Incline Railway up to Look-Out Mountain; this railway has an incline of over 70%. At the top of Lookout Mountain, take in the spectacular views of the area and discover more Civil War history. This evening we return to our hotel for an included dinner and some free time to enjoy the amenities of the historic Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8 – Chattanooga, TN to Franklin, TN

After breakfast we depart Chattanooga with a beautiful drive north, passing over Nickajack Lake and along the mountain valley roads. We’ll enjoy “home cookin” today at Miller’s Grocery for lunch. This afternoon we travel to Murfreesboro where we will meet our Civil War Expert Guide and begin two days of touring together. First, it is the Stones River Battlefield. Again, this battle was for control of another railway and keeping the Union troops from an open march into Eastern Tennessee. After a number of days of battle, the Southern troops withdrew from Murfreesboro and the North had gained solid control of the area, including Nashville. After checking into our hotel and eating dinner, we will visit the Lotz House on the Battle of Franklin Battlefield.

Hotel: Drury Inn & Suites (2 nights)

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 9 – Franklin and Nashville Area

Nashville had been captured by Union troops in December of 1862 and held until late 1864 when Confederate troops tried to retake this area. Their attempt failed and we will learn of this battle as today is spent with our Civil War Guide traveling the Franklin and Nashville areas. Our travels will take us to various sights, mansions, and Fort Negley, where we will learn more of Nashville’s Civil War history. Then we will have some time to enjoy downtown Nashville, maybe some line dancing at the Wildhorse Saloon, or dinner and some music at another of the local honky tonks!

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 10 – Franklin, TN to Georgetown, KY

Today we travel into Kentucky, the birthplace of both Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis. Kentucky was divided by the war as many were loyal to the North and others to the South. We’ll travel through Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park near Hodgerville. Lunch today will be at the historic Talbott’s Tavern in historical Bardstown. This old tavern was visited by Abraham Lincoln and his family when he was a boy as well as by Daniel Boone. It dates back to the late 1700’s and the floors creak with history. This afternoon we’ll travel down the road to the site of the Battle of Perryville. On this battlefield the Civil War came to Kentucky in its most violent way. Some feel that this battle was as decisive as any other battle of the war because it marked a fatal loss for the south that before this time had been gaining some movement. Our travels will continue past Shakertown near Harrodsburg and on towards Lexington, passing the beautiful white fences of the Kentucky thoroughbred countryside. Our evening is spent in Georgetown.

Hotel: Hampton Inn

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 11 – Georgetown, KY to Lebanon, OH

Today we will travel into Cincinnati, Ohio for a stop at the National Underground Railroad Museum. Here we will take a special look at slavery and the network that was in place to help more than 100,000 enslaved people find freedom. Our destination this evening is Lebanon, OH.

Hotel: Holiday Inn Express

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 12 – Lebanon, OH to Kenosha, WI

As we continue north through the states of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois we realize that although the battle sites are behind us, there still is a civil war history that needs to be examined. Our stop today is at the Kenosha Civil War Museum where we will take a look at the Midwest’s role in the Civil War. You will enjoy this one-of-a-kind museum as you walk through and see stories of military units from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, and Illinois.

Hotel: Country Inn and Suites

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 13 – Kenosha, WI to Home

Today we will travel home with Civil War Memories now a part of our lives as well. We’ll look back at all we have experienced and reminisce with our fellow travelers. A stop for lunch today at the Norske Nook will be our final time of gathering around the table with this special group of travelers for now. We’ll get you back to your door as we end our “Civil War Remembered” tour.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch