Take a comprehensive battlefield tour of the battle of Chancellorsville; May 1-3, 1863, and the battle of Brandy Station; June 9, 1863.
If you’re interested in events that led to the battle of Gettysburg, then this tour is for you! We’ll take a look at the battle that encouraged Robert E. Lee to invade the North for the second time, leading to the Gettysburg Campaign.
To understand Gettysburg, one must understand Chancellorsville first! Next, we’ll follow one of Lee’s invasion routes as the first opening action begins and turns into the largest cavalry action of the war at Brandy Station.
Your private battlefield tour will start at the Chancellorsville Battlefield Visitor Center, where you will get an introduction from your own battlefield guide.
Travel to the Chancellorsville Day One site preserved by the American Battlefield Trust and hear how the opening phase of the battle begins.
Go to the famous Chancellorsville Crossroads and see General Joseph Hooker’s headquarters as he makes his plans where certain destruction awaits.
Follow a portion of Stonewall Jackson’s famous Flank Attack March on May 2, 1863, and go to the location where Stonewall Jackson’s famous Flank Attack begins.
Visit the spot where Stonewall Jackson’s wounding took place.
Last, we’ll tour the third day’s battle at Hazel Grove and Fairview which was perhaps the bloodiest morning in the Civil War on May 3, 1863.
We’ll take a 30-minute lunch break where your battlefield guide will give you a recommendation for a quick counter service location or restaurant if requested.
Afterward, we’ll travel to Brandy Station outside of Culpeper as we discuss Lee’s plans to invade the North a second time and follow a portion of his Army invasion route.
At Brandy Station, we’ll discuss the large Confederate cavalry screen of Lee’s invasion forces there and US General Hooker’s plans to destroy or disperse them.
The tour will see the location of the Confederate cavalry review field.
Later, the tour will stop at the area where US cavalry will push across Beverly’s Ford and the site where this epic cavalry battle begins.
We’ll see the various cavalry action between J. E. B. Stuart and General Alfred Pleasonton’s forces where out flew the sabers, and most handsomely they were used.
At Fleetwood Hill, you will see where the cavalry fought, saber to saber, pistol to pistol, saddle to saddle, and stirrup to stirrup.
There is much amazingly more to the opening phase of the Gettysburg Campaign and the largest cavalry battle in the Civil War, and we’ll take you there!
In the end, your battlefield guide will take you back to the tour starting location at the Chancellorsville Battlefield Visitor Center with commentary.
This private battlefield tour pairs nicely with the battles of Mine Run and The Wilderness: After Gettysburg combo tour. Taking place in November of 1863 and May of 1864, it will pick up where you left off and start after the Gettysburg Campaign.
Let us show you the way as you relax and skip the self-guided tour hassle. Your own battlefield guide will meet you in front of the Chancellorsville Battlefield Visitor Center.
After an introduction, your battlefield guide will join your vehicle as you depart to your first stop. It is recommended that the battlefield guide drive your vehicle so you can relax and enjoy the tour, but it’s up to you who drives.
Joining your vehicle keeps the cost down so you can see more battlefields with us.
Step-on battlefield guides are available for larger passenger vehicles (van or bus). For more information and prices, please contact us.
Note: The battles of Chancellorsville and Brandy Station can be tailored into one of our Custom Battlefield Tours.