Mine Run and The Wilderness: After Gettysburg

The echoes of Gettysburg have faded, but the Civil War was far from over. Journey deep into Orange County, Virginia, to uncover the pivotal campaigns that followed. This full-day immersive experience explores the critical months when the Union army, first under George Meade and later led by the relentless Ulysses S. Grant, pursued Robert E. Lee. You will trace the strategic maneuvers of the Mine Run Campaign, a brutal winter chess match that set the stage for the final, bloody chapter of the war. Discover the story of an army in transition and a commander determined to hold his ground. Your day is a chronological exploration of these consequential events. With an expert local battlefield guide, you will travel through the dense forests that gave the Battle of the Wilderness its name. We make several stops at key locations, allowing you to step onto historic ground, visualize troop movements, and capture powerful photographs of the preserved landscapes. This is an intimate way to understand the terrain and the immense challenges soldiers faced here in central Virginia, gaining a perspective that maps alone cannot provide. This comprehensive tour brings history to life, moving beyond a simple self-guided drive. Your guide shares compelling stories and tactical insights, revealing the human drama and strategic importance of these crucial engagements. By the end of your journey, you will have a profound appreciation for what happened after Gettysburg and how the events in Orange set the stage for the end of the war.