Sabers and Saddles: Confederate Cavalry in Mississippi

Wednesday, May 26th, 2004

Thursday, May 27th, 2004

8:30 AM: Board your bus at the Comfort Inn and depart en route for Davis Field at Shiloh NMP. Introductory discussion of Nathan Bedford Forrest’s military career up to Shiloh. We will learn about Forrest’s basic military instincts as we consider his action at Davis Field. From there we will bus on to Fallen Timbers to discuss Forrest’ unbelievable role in the Confederate retreat from Shiloh. We will provide you an early lunch at the Weaver Center in Corinth.. Our afternoon will be full as we depart for an 80 minute bus ride to Okolona, Mississippi. We will review a critically acclaimed 50 minute video tape on Forrest’ life en route. Once we get to Okolona we will visit various sites relating to the 22 February 1864 battle and will discuss the death of Forrest’ brother Jeffrey. After a trip to Ivy Hill we will return to Corinth by 5:30 PM. We will review a 25 minute tape on the battle of Brice’ Crossroads on board. Dinner is on your own.

Friday, May 28th, 2004

We will leave at 8:30 AM blazing a new trail en route to our first ever tour of Holly Springs. You will look long and hard to find any past tours of this important little community. This splendid Ante-bellum town is the quintessential 19th century American town. We have some contacts there that will make this day memorable. It is also a critically important military site. This was US Grant’s depot in December 1862. A daring and decisive raid by cavalry cavalier, Earl Van Dorn snapped the Federal’s sense of security and forced Grant to reevaluate his plans to capture the Confederate citadel in Vicksburg. We will use the opportunity to visit the historic and important college town of Oxford. We will then return to Corinth where you can have dinner on your own.

Saturday, May 29th, 2004

8:30 AM: Depart en route to pristine Brice’ Crossroads battlefield where we will spend the majority of the day. This June 10, 1864 event is one of the most perfect small unit fights ever recorded—it perfectly portrays the genius of Forrest as a unit commander. Conversely, the final stop of the day is in Tupelo where we will study the July 1864 defeat of Forrest. This fight is also instructive as it shows a petty and vain side of Forrest and demonstrates his inability to work as a subordinate. We will return by 5 PM. Our banquet provides a final opportunity to discuss Forrest, Van Dorn and their impact on the war. The program will end by 9 PM. Lunch and dinner will be provided.

The Faculty

Parker Hills is a retired National Guard Bureau Brigadier General. Hills was responsible for the Military Staff Ride program for the state of Mississippi and is an expert on Mississippi battlefields. Hills is a graduate of the US Army War College.

Len Riedel is the Executive Director of the BGES. A retired Air Force officer, Riedel has a Master of Arts degree in history.

Meeting Site and Hotel

This program will be headquartered at the Comfort Inn Corinth, 2101 Highway 72W (1-662-286-9535). There is a block of rooms you may reserve against in the BGES’ name. Rates start at $43 for a single plus tax depending upon the type of room you desire. For more info on Corinth call the Convention and Visitors Bureau 1-800-748-9048.

Airport and Transportation Arrangements

The servicing airport is Memphis about 90 minutes to the Northwest. You may need a rental car there is no scheduled shuttle service.

Key Publications and Recommended Reading

_____ Brian S. Wills, The Confederacy’s Greatest Cavalryman $25 includes shipping

_____ Arthur B. Carter, The Tarnished Cavalier, MG Earl Van Dorn $45 w/shipping

Registration Form for Sabers and Saddles, Confederate Cavalry in Mississippi

May 26-29 2004

Name (s): _________________________________ ____________________________

Address: ______________________________________________________________

Phone: ______________________________ Email: ___________________________

_____ Registration $375 _____ Additional Family Member $225

_____ Deposit only—per person $100 Net Due on or before May 26th, 2004

_____ BGES member $335 ______ Additional Family Member $215

_____ I am not a member of the BGES send me membership information

_____ I’ve enclosed $_______ for my books as checked above.

Total Enclosed: $ _____________ Make checks payable to BGES and mail to 416 Beck Street, Norfolk, VA 23503

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