Howard Coffin's
Civil War Tour
May 13-17, 2012
Howard Coffin is a sixth-generation Vermonter with four ancestors who served with the Vermont regiments in the Overland Campaign. He has long been active in battlefield preservation, and was a US Senate appointee to the National Civil War Sites Advisory Commission. A writer and public relations consultant, Coffin is a former press secretary to US Senator James Jeffords, Independent, of Vermont. Howard Coffin's tours have become legendary. The author of three books on the Civil War including Guns Over the Champlain Valley, Coffin has been exploring the Civil War and Champlain Corridor battlefields and forts for 40 years.
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
- Four nights' lodging
- Twelve meals: 4 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners
- Admissions to: Gettysburg Battlefield, Antietam Battlefield, Gettysburg Cemetery, Blue Belle Grove Mansion, Cedar Creek Battlefield and more
- Commentary by Howard Coffin
- Round-trip transportation aboard Premier Motor Coach
DEPARTURE TIMES:
- 7:00 a.m. St. Albans - Highgate Commons Shopping Plaza
- 7:30 a.m. Winooski - St. Stephen's Catholic Church, E. Spring St.
- 8:00 a.m. Charlotte - Park & ride by railroad station
- 8:15 a.m. Vergennes - Park & ride at Rte. 7 & 22 A
- 9:15 a.m. Rutland - Holiday Inn, Rte. 7
- 11:45 a.m. Hudson - Park & ride off I-87, exit 21
We can make other stops along the way if there is a public parking area with adequate bus access.
Day 1 – Sunday, May 13, 2012
Today our travel through the Champlain and Hudson Valleys brings us through areas important during the Revolutionary war and the war of 1812. We will enjoy videos, narration, and discussions about the battles prior to our arrival at our hotel. Dinner is served at the Dobbin House Inn, the oldest building in Gettysburg (1776.) The Dobbin House Inn has been restored and filled with period antiques.
Day 2 – Monday, May 14, 2012
This morning we’ll begin by touring the Gettysburg battlefield, where we’ll learn about the Vermonters’ flank attack on Pickett’s Charge. We’ll visit all of the key battle sites including the McPherson Farm, Oak Hill, Culp’s Hill, Little and Big Round Tops, Wheat Field, Peach Orchard, Cemetery Hill, Devil’s Den, and the Gettysburg Museum. We’ll break for lunch and dinner. In the evening we will visit the East Calvary Battlefield.
Day 3 – Tuesday, May 15, 2012
This morning we’ll visit the Gettysburg Cemetery and drive to the Antietam Battlefield. Along with Antietam we’ll see the Poffenberger Farm, the East Woods, Dunker Church, Bloody Lane, the Vermont Monument, Burnside’s Bridge and the Pry House Cemetery and Visitor Center. Our next stop will be in Winchester, VA.
Day 4 – Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Today our morning tour will consist of Fisher’s Hill Battlefield and the Third Winchester Field. After lunch we will tour the Belle Grove Mansion and the Cedar Creek Battlefield with emphasis on Vermont’s importance in these battles, and the Cemetery Hill counter-attack site.
Day 5 – Thursday, May 17, 2012
We’ll have videos and discussion on our way home today.
