The spring of 1864 was a period of unprecedented combat between the Army of the Potomac and the Army of Northern Virginia. As Grant and Meade drove their men overland towards Richmond they engaged Robert E. Lee’s Army in some of the bloodiest battles of the American Civil War. For nearly two weeks in mid-May the armies squared off outside of Spotsylvania Court House and several furious assaults were made against the entrenched Confederate positions. Although the battle was a temporary check to their advance, the Army of the Potomac inflicted heavy casualties on Lee’s dwindling forces. Join historian Chris Mackowski and MHAA as we travel in the footsteps of Grant and Lee at the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House.
The program begins Friday evening at 7:00 pm with a reception at the Old Berea Church (8956 Courthouse Road, Spotsylvania Courthouse, VA 22553) in historic Spotsylvania Court House. Participants will get an overview of the campaign and have a chance to talk to Chris Mackowski.
The following day the bus will depart from the Holiday Inn Express Fredericksburg-Southpoint (5422 Jefferson Davis Highway, Fredericksburg, VA 22407) at 8:00 AM for a full day tour of the Spotsylvania Battlefield. Lunch and snacks will be included. Highlights of the tour include: Todd’s Tavern, Spindle Field and Laurel Hill, the site of John Sedgwick’s mortal wounding, follow in the footsteps of Emory Upton’s bold charge, explore the area around the tip of the Confederate Mule Shoe Salient and the Bloody Angle, and visit lesser-known sites associated with the under-studied second week of the battle. The tour will conclude at 5:00 pm at the Holiday Inn Express Fredericksburg-Southpoint.
A block of rooms has been reserved for our out of town guests at the Holiday Inn Express Fredericksburg-Southpoint. Reservations can be made by calling (540) 898-5550.
Below is the approximate schedule for the weekend:
Friday, April 26, 7:00-8:30 pm: Opening Reception at Old Berea Church (8956 Courthouse Road, Spotsylvania Courthouse, VA 22553)
Saturday, April 27, 8:00 am-5:00 pm: Bus tour of the Spotsylvania battlefield, beginning and ending at Holiday Inn Express Fredericksburg-Southpoint (5422 Jefferson Davis Highway, Fredericksburg, VA 22407). Highlights of the tour include: Todd’s Tavern, Spindle Field and Laurel Hill, the site of John Sedgwick’s mortal wounding, follow in the footsteps of Emory Upton’s bold charge, explore the area around the tip of the Confederate Mule Shoe Salient and the Bloody Angle, and visit lesser-known sites associated with the under-studied second week of the battle.
Tickets are $150 for MHAA Members and $175 for Non-Members. Tickets can be purchased below or by calling (540) 687-5578.