Member Trip: Civil War Crossroads at Chattanooga

Civil War Crossroads at Chattanooga

Oct. 8 through 11, 2013

Join the Indiana Historical Society as we travel in celebration of the Civil War Sesquicentennial this fall. During this trip, we explore Chattanooga battlefields and other notable war sites.

Our trip includes a tour of Chickamauga Battlefield, the largest battlefield park in the U.S.; a visit to the National Cemetery, the final resting place of Andrew's Raiders; a visit to the Missionary Ridge Battlefield and the site of the Battle above the Clouds; and a tour of the city of Chattanooga focused on Civil War history. Guests will stay at the historic Chattanooga Choo Choo.

Itinerary

Day 1
Oct. 8 – Indianapolis to Chattanooga                   

Today our journey begins with travel to Chattanooga! On the bus, you'll be served a box breakfast (breakfast roll, fruit, juice, water). En route we will stop at a road trip favorite for lunch (on your own). We'll arrive at the Chattanoogo Choo Choo, one of the Historic Hotels of America, late this afternoon and stay for the next three nights. The Terminal Station in downtown Chattanooga has been converted into the most beautiful of all Chattanooga hotels and, for your enjoyment, offers restaurants, shops, gardens, a trolley and a model railroad. Tonight we'll enjoy a two-hour dinner cruise aboard the Southern Belle, located at Pier 2 in downtown Chattanooga. We'll cruise down the Tennessee River while dining and enjoying live music under the backdrop of a southern sunset.

Day 2
Oct. 9 – Chickamauga and the City                        

Start your day with a hot breakfast at the Chattanooga Choo Choo before our adventure begins! We'll start with a morning tour of Chattanooga that highlights the city's Civil War history. Following the city tour, we'll enjoy a group lunch on the historic Delta Queen. This grand lady has logged more than two million miles, carried more than half a million passengers, and is the only boat to be inducted into the National Marine Hall of Fame while still in service. She has entertained presidents, foreign dignitaries and a multitude of celebrities. 

After lunch, we'll take a guided tour of Chickamauga Battlefield, the largest battlefield park in the U.S. The Battle of Chickamauga, fought Sept. 19 and 20, 1863, marked the end of a Union offensive in southeastern Tennessee and northwestern Georgia called the Chickamauga Campaign. The battle was the most significant Union defeat in the Western Theater of the American Civil War and involved the second highest number of casualties in the war following the Battle of Gettysburg. Next, we'll visit the National Cemetery. On Dec. 25, 1863, Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas, “The Rock of Chickamauga," issued General Orders No. 296 to create a national cemetery in commemoration of the Battles of Chattanooga, Nov. 23 through 27, 1863. Gen. Thomas selected the cemetery site during the assault of his troops that carried Missionary Ridge and brought the campaign to an end. The National Cemetery is the final resting place of Andrew’s Raiders, who were the men who stole the locomotive from the Confederates in Georgia and drove it to Chattanooga before being caught. 

Day 3
Oct. 10 – Battle Above the Clouds                       

Start your day with a hearty breakfast at the Chattanooga Choo Choo as we have an exciting and full day! We'll visit several battlefields, beginning with the Orchard Knob Battlefield (Grant’s HQ). The battle at Orchard Knob moved the Union Army a mile closer to the entrenched Rebel Army on top of Missionary Ridge. Taking Orchard Knob as he did was a brilliant maneuver on the part of Grant, as it gave him a place from which he could view the battle of Missionary Ridge in relative safety. The intimidation of the Confederate Army worked exactly as Grant planned. During the battle of Missionary Ridge, Bragg's Army of Tennessee would break ranks from a relatively strong position. Although artillery fire from both sides continued throughout the day, the fighting ended on Nov. 23, 1863.

Next, we head to Lookout Mountain and the Battle Above the Clouds. The Battle of Lookout Mountain was fought Nov. 24, 1863, where Union forces under Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker assaulted Lookout Mountain and defeated Confederate forces commanded by Maj. Gen. Carter L. Stevenson. Lookout Mountain was one engagement in the Chattanooga battles between Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's Military Division of the Mississippi and the Confederate Army of Tennessee, commanded by Gen. Braxton Bragg. It drove in the Confederate left flank and allowed Hooker's men to assist in the Battle of Missionary Ridge the following day, which routed Bragg's army, lifting the siege of Union forces in Chattanooga, and opened the gateway into the Deep South.

Our next stop will be Missionary Ridge Battlefield. The Battle of Missionary Ridge was fought Nov. 25, 1863, as part of the Chattanooga Campaign. Following the Union victory in the Battle of Lookout Mountain on Nov. 24, Union forces under Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant assaulted Missionary Ridge and defeated the Confederate Army of Tennessee, commanded by Gen. Braxton Bragg.

Enjoy lunch on your own after touring these historic battle sites.

After lunch, we'll  venture to the Incline Railway Ride to Point Lookout. The incline is known as “America’s Most Amazing Mile,” The incline’s trolley-style cars climb through the natural beauty surrounding historic Lookout Mountain at a breathtaking 72.7 percent grade – straight up! While you’re up top, be sure to visit the many points of Civil War interest all within short walking distance, including the Battles for Chattanooga Electric Map and Museum, and Point Park – part of the Chickamauga-Chattanooga National Military Park system.

Our day will also include a visit to Ochs Civil War Museum and the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum steam locomotive ride. 

We'll continue into evening with dinner at Buttonwillow Civil War Dinner Theater. Civil War trivia and curiosities are woven into this gentle and humorous show that will transport you back to the time of Jefferson Davis and Abraham Lincoln. You will find yourself caught up in this often funny encounter as if you were back in 1864, all while enjoying a delicious dinner.

Day 4
Oct. 11 – Homeward Bound                           

After breakfast, we will enjoy  opening ceremonies in honor of Tennessee's Civil War Sesquicentennial featuring special guests and musical performance from 9 to 11:30 a.m. We'll then have lunch as a group (on your own) before we depart northward bound to Indy. We will stop again for dinner as a group (on your own) and should arrive back home around 9 p.m.

Hotel Contact Information
Chattanooga Choo Choo
1400 Market St.
Chattanooga, TN 37402
(800) TRACK-29 (872-2529)

Take advantage of the early registration discount!

Double occupancy
$1,175 Member, $1,325 Nonmember (includes membership)

After June 30
$1,275 Member, $1,425 Nonmember (includes membership)

Single occupancy
$1,336 Member, $1,486 Nonmember (includes membership)

After June 30
$1,436 Member, $1,586 Nonmember (includes membership)

Optional room upgrade
Rail car room – Double add $105 per person, Single add $210 per person.

Travel Insurance (optional but recommended)
$84 per person double occupancy, $97 per person single occupancy – Optional cancellation/interruption insurance is available through Trip Mate. Since tour members may have to cancel a reservation or leave a tour early due to unforeseen circumstances, we highly recommend the purchase of this insurance. 

Nonrefundable (unless travel insurance is purchased) $500 per person deposit due with registration.

Fee includes:

• Transportation via luxury coach, restroom-equipped
• Three nights’ accommodations at Holiday Inn Choo Choo
• Seven meals:one box breakfast, three breakfasts, one lunch, two dinners

For more information or to register, please contact Jennifer Hiatt at (317) 234-2670 or email at jhiatt@indianahistory.org.