Mark the 160th Anniversary of the Gettysburg Campaign Opening (June 3-21, 1863) with Battlefield Tours of Virginia and Eastern National on Saturday, June 3rd. We are proud to present a special author signing and guided bus-tour event featuring award-winning Civil War authors Eric Wittenberg and Scott Mingus, co-authors of the highly acclaimed If We Are Striking for Pennsylvania volumes from Savas Beatie Publishing.
Join us at the Fredericksburg Battlefield Visitor Center (1013 Lafayette Blvd, Fredericksburg, VA 22401) from 8:30 am-9:30 am for an exclusive book signing with Wittenberg and Mingus. This event also marks the first opportunity to purchase If We Are Striking for Pennsylvania Volume 2: June 23-July 1, 1863. Attendees who book a tour will receive a 15% discount on Eastern National purchases of $50 or more.
From 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, embark on an immersive bus tour of the Gettysburg Campaign opening, led by Wittenberg and Mingus. Retrace Gen. Robert E. Lee’s bold movement with the Army of Northern Virginia as they marched from the Fredericksburg area towards Pennsylvania, beginning on June 3, 1863. The tour will explore the early stages of the march, the extensive cavalry actions such as Brandy Station, the lead up to the battle of Second Winchester, culminating in the infamous three-day battle at Gettysburg.
The bus tour will commence at the Slaughter Pen Historic Site (11190 Tidewater Trail, Fredericksburg, VA 22408), located just 10 minutes away from the visitor center. Lunch is included with your ticket purchase.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to delve into Civil War history with renowned experts, Eric Wittenberg and Scott Mingus. Book your tour today and take advantage of the exclusive Eastern National discount.
Discover a groundbreaking study in this Savas Beatie book that weaves together military, media, political, social, economic, and civilian perspectives with firsthand accounts from soldiers of both armies as they march toward their fateful encounter at Gettysburg. This two-part series delves deep into the events leading to the epic battle. The first installment covers June 3-21, 1863, while the second explores June 22-30, leading up to the eve of the conflict.
On June 3, 1863, Gen. Robert E. Lee initiated the movement of his Army of Northern Virginia from the Old Dominion towards Pennsylvania. Believing that a major victory on Northern soil was crucial for the South to have a chance at winning the war, Lee sought to transfer the fighting out of war-torn Virginia. This would allow the state time to recover while his army resupplied from untouched farms and stores in Maryland and Pennsylvania. Additionally, Lee convinced President Jefferson Davis that this offensive would disrupt the Union’s efforts to capture Vicksburg in Mississippi. This audacious movement sparked extensive cavalry skirmishes and a significant battle at Winchester, culminating in the brutal three-day battle at Gettysburg.
Authors Mingus and Wittenberg meticulously researched hundreds of primary accounts, newspapers, and other sources to craft this captivating and immersive narrative. Readers will quickly discover that other campaign studies have overlooked much of this information. To truly understand the events leading up to Gettysburg, it is essential to appreciate the actions of the armies—and the civilians—on their journey to the small crossroads town in Pennsylvania.
Eric J. Wittenberg is a renowned Civil War historian and an expert in cavalry operations. Born in southeastern Pennsylvania, he has authored over 20 books on the subject. Wittenberg earned his degree from Dickinson College and later graduated from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. He currently works as a practicing attorney.
In addition to his writing, Wittenberg is actively involved in preserving Civil War history. He serves on the board of the Central Virginia Battlefields Trust and as the board chairman of the Little Big Horn Associates. Furthermore, he acts as the program coordinator for the Chambersburg Civil War Seminars and Tours.
Wittenberg, his wife Susan, and their playful golden retrievers reside in Columbus, Ohio. As a passionate historian and engaged community member, Eric J. Wittenberg continues to share his wealth of knowledge on the Civil War and its impact on American history.
Scott Mingus, a retired scientist and executive in the global pulp & paper industry, boasts an impressive portfolio of patents in self-adhesive postage stamps and barcode labels. As a key member of the research team, he helped develop the first commercially successful self-adhesive U.S. postage stamps.
Mingus has authored 28 books on Civil War and Underground Railroad history. His biography of Confederate General William “Extra Billy” Smith received numerous nominations and awards, including the Dr. James I. Robertson, Jr. Literary Prize. He has also contributed articles to Gettysburg Magazine and other publications. Scott maintains a blog on the Civil War history of York County, PA. He has been recognized with the York County History Center Heritage Profile Award for his extensive contributions to local Civil War history.
In addition to his historical works, Mingus has written six scenario books on miniature wargaming and earned a place in the hobby’s prestigious Legion of Honor. He also has deep family connections to the Civil War: His great-great-grandfather served as a 15-year-old drummer boy in the 51st Ohio Infantry, while other relatives fought in the Army of the Potomac at Antietam and Gettysburg.
We are practitioners of and believers in sustainable tourism. That means we invest a portion of all ticket proceeds back into the battlefields we tour and beyond. This ensures that the hallowed ground – these places we treasure and love to share with others – are preserved for future generations to enjoy.
A few of Battlefield Tours of Virginia’s preservation partners include the Central Virginia Battlefield Trust and the American Battlefield Trust.
Even if you cannot join us for our special 160th anniversary of the Gettysburg Campaign Opening event, you may wish to consider joining us for one of our American Civil War tours in Virginia.
In addition to the 14 options available in our core selection of tours, we also offer combo Civil War tours. And we can craft custom battlefield tours for visitors who wish to enjoy an experience focused on a particular aspect of the war or study topic.
If you have any questions about our tours and services, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
