Infantry in the Civil War Conference

Description

Click here for the brochure.

ITINERARY

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GENERAL INFORMATION

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· Conference based at Hampton Inn at 955 Lesher Rd., Chambersburg, Pa 17202.

· Deluxe continental breakfast for Hampton Inn guests each morning. 

· Check-In will be in the hotel lobby about 1 hour before the day’s activities begin. You only need to check-in once.

· Each participant will receive a packet of tactical maps and a name badge at check-in

· Classroom sessions will be held in the Hampton Inn conference room.

· Bus tours will leave from the Hampton Inn parking lot at the specified time.

· Civil War & More Book Vendor available during conference selling works by our speakers. Please patronize this local business!

 

THURSDAY, OCT. 22

 

· Bus leaves from Hampton Inn at 8 a.m. and returns by 5:30 p.m.

· Lunch included

· Dinner on your own

 

8 a.m. - 12 p.m. The West Woods at Antietam bus tour led by Tom Clemens

 

Bus Tour Description:

One of the critical turning points in the 12 hour bloodbath called Antietam was Gen. John Sedgwick’s attack into the West Woods. Had this attack been successful the day would have quite possibly ended with the destruction of Gen. R.E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia.

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 Sites to visit:

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· East Woods to survey the terrain, and discuss the decision making process that led to Sedgwick’s attack

· Dunker Church and the high ground behind it. Here an incursion into the West Woods occupied this important high ground

· Philadelphia Brigade Park offers some sense of the terrain and best place to get a sense of the size of this attack

· Hauser’s Ridge to survey the defensive position of the remnants of Jackson’s forces, and an overview of McLaws’ counterattack

· Locher Cabin and 15th Massachusetts Monument

 

Lunch included from 12 to 1 p.m.

 

1 p.m. Bolivar Heights and Schoolhouse Ridge bus tour led by Dennis Frye

 

Bus Tour Description:

The Battle of Harpers Ferry, prelude to Antietam, often is defined by Stonewall Jackson's mountain-top siege artillery. Stonewall's infantry tactics, however, ultimately doomed the Union garrison. Explore the surprising terrain of Bolivar Heights and School House Ridge as we examine Jackson's options and decisions, ultimately producing the largest surrender of U.S. forces during the Civil War.

 

Sites to visit:

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· Bolivar Heights

· Schoolhouse Ridge

 

Dinner on your own.

 

7 –9 p.m.  Enjoy browsing books from Civil War & More and mingling with guests.

 

FRIDAY, OCT. 23

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8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.  Lectures

· Session held at Hampton Inn in the North/South conference room

· Lunch included

· Dinner on your own

 

Lectures include:

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· Welcome & Introduction by Eric Wittenberg, program coordinator

 

· “From Pikemen to Lignard: The Evolution of the Infantry in Western Militaries to the Civil War” - talk by Christopher S. Stowe

 John Sullivan is often blamed for Washington's defeat at the Battle of Brandywine.  However, an analysis of the primary documents paints a far different picture.  This lecture focuses on the decision making by the American high command on the day of the battle.

 

·  Upton’s Assault at Spotsylvania—talk by Dr. Chris Mackowski

 

· “Fitz-John Porter’s Deep Cut attack, Second Battle of Bull Run—talk by John Hennessy

 

 

12-1 p.m. Lunch included

 

1-5 p.m. Sessions Cont.

 

· Special Message from Grand Sponsor Franklin County Visitors Bureau

 

· Jackson’s Flank Attack at Chancellorsville—talk by Eric Wittenberg

 

· Another Lecture TBA

 

 

5—7 p.m. Dinner on your own.

 

7 –9 p.m. Linger Longer—Enjoy browsing books from Civil War & More and mingling with guests. BYOB

 

 

SATURDAY, OCT. 24

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· Bus leaves from Hampton Inn

· Lunch included at Dobbin House Tavern

· Dinner on your own

 

 

8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Longstreet’s Assault on July 2 at Gettysburg led by Jim Hessler

 

Bus Tour Description:

On the afternoon of July 2, Confederate Generals Robert E. Lee and James Longstreet launched a massive assault against the Army of the Potomac’s left flank. The brutal attack was one of the Civil War’s largest, yet historians continue to debate the objectives and outcome. What was Lee trying to accomplish? How did General Dan Sickles’s unauthorized movements toward the Emmitsburg Road impact the Confederate attack and the Union defense? How important was Little Round Top to the Union victory? Was July 2 the true turning point of the battle? Join Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide and author James Hessler as we examine the many controversies associated with Longstreet’s attack and Sickles’s defense of July 2. 

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 Sites to visit:

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· Seminary Ridge

· Little Round Top

· The Wheatfield

· The Peach Orchard

· First Minnesota Monument

· And more!

 

5:30 p.m. Dinner on your own.

 

7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Informal discussion on Invasion of Harrisburg, June 27-30—Carlisle to Harrisburg. Talk given by Jim Schmick with collection of photos and maps.

 

SUNDAY, OCT. 25

 

· Bus leaves from Hampton Inn

· Lunch not included (snacks provided)

· Conference completion by 1 p.m.

 

 

8 a.m. - 1 p.m. “I Never Saw old Soldiers Shoot Better” Infantry at Monocacy bus tour led by Matt Borders

 

Bus Tour Description:

Our The Battle of Monocacy, fought July 9th, 1864, was part of the third Confederate invasion of the north. This day long delaying action saw the implementation of both traditional and innovative infantry tactics on the rolling fields outside Frederick, Maryland. Everything from the tried and true battle line to a rudimentary version of the small unit tactics used today. Join us as we explore the infantry tactics and maneuvers utilized by both sides during this often overlooked battle.

 

 Sites to visit:

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· Monocacy National Battlefield Visitor Center - On the grounds of the CSA staging area, we will have a brief overview of how the armies got here and why.

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· Best Farm, Union and Confederate skirmishers and sharpshooters squared off on this property around 8:30am.

 

· Thomas Farm, The heart of the battlefield and the site of the most intense part of the struggle. This portion of the tour will have some walking as we discuss the shifting battle lines

· Maryland National Guard Armory - discussing the skirmishing around Jug Bridge, North of the main battlefield.

 

 Conference Completion by 1 p.m.

 

Thank you for your patronage!

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