BGES 2009 Schedule

February 25th - 28th, 2009: COMPLETED The Vicksburg Campaign, Part 8: The Battle of Baton Rouge and the Siege of Port Hudson with General Parker Hills and Len Riedel. This is the final part of our four year series using Ed Bearss’ seminal work The Vicksburg Campaign.We have invested some 28 days thus far and this will be a fitting conclusion to the series.  This is a rescheduled event that was cancelled in September 2008 as a result of damage from Hurricane Gustav.  This program will examine the Federal incursions into the central portion of Louisiana follow the capture of New Orleans.  Starting with the Battle of Baton Rouge in August 1862, we will see how Port Hudson came to be and why it was important.  We will then look at the federals numerous efforts to capture it.  Until now you have just had US Grant’s perspective.  Now you’ll see how Nathaniel Banks views the challenge of the Mississippi River campaign.

April 2-4, 2009: Stonewall Jackson's Greatest and Final Battle.  COMPLETED The battle of Chancellorsville was Stonewall at his martial and creative best.  Combining all the elements of high strategy, “winner take all” risk, personal courage and leadership, it is a fitting end for this brilliant but flawed Southern hero.  This program focuses on Jackson and his flank march, his wounding and death.  Based in Fredericksburg.

May 14-16, 2009:  Richmond Relieved: Lee Shatters McClellan's Right. COMPLETED Here in one dramatic and bold initiative, Robert E. Lee plotted the overthrow and destruction of the Union army in front of Richmond.  It features all the classic operations of the military art, shows the role of the inspirational leader, the all too real impact of the “Friction of War,” and the capabilities of the common soldier at the crucial moment.  This covers the Seven Days battles through Gaines Mill.  Based outside of Richmond.

May 26-June 2, 2009:  The Southern Plains Red River Buffalo Wars. COMPLETED This Amarillo based tour with historian Neil D. Mangum will look at sites from a long forgotten era of American history.  The wars to pacify the Native Americans in and around the Indian Territory threatened the exploratory trails being blazed by American settlers.  This was the United States Army’s mission in the post Civil War era and it cannot and should not be overlooked.

June 24-27, 2009:  A Study in Command, Meade at Gettysburg. COMPLETED Third part of BGES series that examines the key personalities and issues related to the battle at Gettysburg.  Past examinations have studied Dan Sickles and James Longstreet.  Future programs will look at Robert E. Lee, Richard Ewell and JEB Stuart.  Based in Emmitsburg, Maryland. With Retired Brig Gen Parker Hills and BGES Executive Director Major Len Riedel.

July 21-24, 2009:  BGES Staff Ride of the Revolutionary War Forts Montgomery & Clinton, Stony Point and West Point with Colonel, Professor Jim Johnson This event has concluded, but see a recap from one of our members by clicking here. Enjoy a meaningful pair of staff rides with former West Point instructor and the current Director of the Hudson Valley Institute and the head of the War Studies Department at RMA Sandhurst (Great Britain's West Point). First we will study the British attacks against Forts Clinton and Montgomery which took place in October 1777 a day before the second battle of Saratoga.  We had originally planned to do Stoney Point but the State of New York has closed the site to visitation because of a bald eagle nesting habitat. We will add another part to the program, please call for information  On the final day we will visit Fort Putnam and Clinton on the USMA post before heading up to take a look at Washington’s final HQ and the New Windsor Cantonment area.  Based at West Point at the Hotel Thayer.

September 30-October 3, 2009:  Missed Opportunity in Georgia, The Battle of Chickamauga. COMPLETED. This detailed walking tour will take a hard look at the often missed aspects of the battle including the lost opportunities to bag the Union army before it retreated to Chattanooga.  You will pay particular attention to the road networks as a means of splitting the Federals and encircling those under George Thomas at Snodgrass Hill and elsewhere.  Based in Chattanooga.

October 21-25, 2009: Forrest's West Tennessee Raid of December 1862 and The Van Dorn Holly Springs Raid of December 1862, COMPLETED Part 1 of an eight part, four year series examining the Vicksburg Campaign as presented in Ed Bearss’ seminal work by the same title.  Please note, Mr. Bearss will not be leading the tour.  Two parts per year will be conducted until the program is completed in Spring 2013.  Based in Holly Springs, Mississippi.

The Mexican American War:  Scott’s Vera Cruz to Mexico City Campaign.  Due to the political situation in Mexico, this program has been postponed indefinitely. This is the second part of an Ed Bearss’ Legacy Series tour with historian Neil D. Mangum.  It is a stand alone program.  Part 1 covered Zachary Taylor’s Northern Mexico Campaign from Palo Alto through Resaca de la Palma, and into Mexico to Monterrey , the Mier Massacre, Saltillo, and Buena Vista.  This program will take us to Cerro Gordo, Contreras, Churubusco and Mexico City.  We will see how Winfield Scott and Robert E. Lee collaborated to flank the Mexican’s time and again.  In the process we will meet many future generals such as Stonewall Jackson, George McClellan, US Grant and James Longstreet.  With air from Houston to Vera Cruz and then return to Houston from Mexico City. Call to add your name to the list for further information and updates.

December 2-5, 2009: BGES Staff Ride of the Battle of Franklin (COMPLETED),Part 2 of a three part series studying Hood’s 1864 Tennessee Campaign (note Spring Hill: part 1 is Nov 19-23, 2008).  Part 3 will be December 2010.  Based in Franklin, Tennessee.

December 9-12, 2009:  Walking Tour of the 1862 Battle of Fredericksburg, COMPLETED This program builds off the two fine books written by Frank O’Reilly and George Rable on the town and the campaign.  This is an important and often overlooked battle in the Army of the Potomac’s efforts to get at Richmond.  Tour will be led by J. Michael Miller, who leads staff rides for the United States Marine Corps. Based in Fredericksburg, VA.

The following tours in Europe are offered by Old Country Tours in England. Clicking on any one of the tours will take you to their web site. You may return to BGES' web site from their home page

April 16–20, 2009: British Cavalry on the Western Front 1914

May 9–16, 2009:      Galipoli*

May 16–21, 2009     Crimea*

*  Tours are planned so that you can take either or both

May 18–25, 2009      Eagles on the Danube (Napoleonic)

June 26–30, 2009     D Day Plus 10 (British & Canadian areas of operation)

July 11–18, 2009      Canadian Army in WW1 & WW2 (France & Belgium)

July 8-11, 2009         Waterloo

Oct 10-16, 2009        Doughboys World War I 1917/18**

Oct 16–20, 2009       Battle of the Bulge 1944**

Oct 21-25, 2009 Operation Overlord & D-Day**

  ** Planned so one can partake in all three or the tour/s of your choice.