Wednesday, September 5 (7:30PM) to Saturday, September 8, 2012 (5:00pm)
Led by Thomas Cartwright
Based in Franklin, TN
Tour Registration Fee: $475.00
Admirers of Confederate Lt. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest are legion. Many Civil War enthusiasts would say he belongs in any pantheon of great Southern military leaders. This skilled battlefield tactician, cavalry leader and raider evoked controversy during the war and in the aftermath of reconstruction. He was a truly larger than life individual.
Our tour will explore Forrest’s exploits in middle Tennessee where you’ll see some familiar battlefields and many little-known sites thru the eyes of one of the most knowledgeable and zealous historians of the “Wizard of the Saddle,” the incomparable Thomas Y. Cartwright.
On our first day we will travel to Fort Donelson, the site where Forrest first distinguished himself. The Gray cavalryman not only captured a Union artillery battery, but broke Grant’s siege by leading nearly 4,000 men out of Confederate lines, across the Cumberland River, before the fort was surrendered, trapping another 15,000 soldiers. This daring deed made Forrest an instant hero in the South. We will have adequate time to explore the Fort Donelson battlefield.
On the next two days, we’ll be concentrating on a number of Forrest’s battles and raids in Middle Tennessee. We’ll follow Forrest’s first raid, also called the first battle of Murfreesboro in July 1862 as well as Forrest’s actions in the third battle of Murfreesboro in December 1864. We’ll go to the Thompson’s Station battlefield which is often overlooked as an important Forrest site. It was at Thompson’s Station where Forrest’s repeated attacks on the Federal rear forced the collapse of the Union command.
We’ll also go to Brentwood (private property) where Forrest surprised, surrounded and captured a Union post held by Lt. Col. Edward Bloodgood in March 1863. This action will set up our next stop, the first battle of Franklin where Forrest drove back pursing Yankees after his victory over Bloodgood. We’ll also see the sites associated with Forrest’s actions at the famous battle of Franklin on November 30, 1864 where the intrepid Confederate cavalryman could have outflanked Maj. Gen. John Schofield’s command and saved the slaughter of Southern soldiers. Forrest’s actions during the Nashville and Spring Hill campaign in December 1864 will be stops on this tour.
This brief outline does not do justice to the number of Nathan Bedford Forrest sites you’ll see in Middle Tennessee, a number of them unfrequented by Forrest enthusiasts.
Registration Fee: $475.00
What’s included: motor coach transportation, three lunches, beverage and snack breaks, a map and materials package, all admissions and gratuities, and the services of an experienced tour leader/historian. Our hotel will provide a complimentary breakfast each day. Tour participants are responsible for transportation to the headquarters hotel, and securing a room reservation, if necessary. Dinner is on your own. Tour goes out rain or shine. Please see our policy page for information about cancellations.
Hotel: We have arranged with the headquarters hotel for a group rate of $79.00 per night plus tax (double or single occupancy.) Please call the Hampton Inn and Suites, 210 Crossings Place, Antioch, TN 37013 at 615-731-9911 and ask for the America’s History LLC group rate. Please make your reservations soon.
Our Tour Guides/Historians
Thomas Y. Cartwright is the former Curator of the Carter House in Franklin, TN. He was a contributor to A Meteor Shining Brightly: Essays on Major General Patrick R. Cleburne. He is a leading authority on Western Theater battlefields and has appeared on the History Channel commenting on a variety of topic.
Dr. Bruce M. Venter, president of America’s History, LLC will accompany this tour.
Register Online (Pay in Full only. Please use the phone registration option to make other payment arrangements.):
Register By Phone:
Phone: 1-855-OUR-HISTORY (687-4478)
Register by e-mail:
info@AmericasHistoryLLC.com
Register by Postal Mail:
America’s History LLC, P. O. Box 1076, Goochland, VA 23063
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