Questions about hiring a guide

[John Winn]

I'll be at the September get-together and am considering hiring a battlefield guide. Looking on line all I've found so far is that one can book a 40 minute car tour where, it appears, the guide drives your car or you can get on a little bus with some other people. There's no real description of the tours.

I'm more prone to not be part of a group and so I'm wondering about the personal car option. They don't say if you get out of the car anyplace or it's all just drive by while the guide talks. Anybody know ? Does the 40 minutes cover the entire battlefield ? I sent an email but never got any response.

Apparently there's also self-guided tours which I think means you rent an audio player and get a map and drive yourself. Is that right ? How long should I allow for doing the self-guided tour ?

Any suggestions for how best to see the battlefield ? While I know the gist of what went down I'm not a military historian and don't know exactly who was where when. It would be nice to have somebody who did know such detail and could paint a good picture of what happened on a given piece of terrain. I'm happy to pay the price for a good guide and wonder if there are options I've not found out about yet.

Thanks in advance for any help y'all can provide regarding hiring a guide.

 

[Eric Wittenberg]

Actually, most of the guide tours are three hours.

Here's what I recommend: unless you're looking for a general overview, decide what you want to see, and then let me know. I can then hep you to identify who's a good candidate to give you the specialized tour you're looking for, and can probably even put you in touch with someone.

If you want a generalized overview, any of the guides would be just fine; they have to have a minimum level of competence to pass the exam and get licensed. They drive because they know where they're going, and it's safer if they drive due to not being distracted.

 

[John Winn]

Actually, most of the guide tours are three hours.

Here's what I recommend: unless you're looking for a general overview, decide what you want to see, and then let me know. I can then hep you to identify who's a good candidate to give you the specialized tour you're looking for, and can probably even put you in touch with someone.

If you want a generalized overview, any of the guides would be just fine; they have to have a minimum level of competence to pass the exam and get licensed. They drive because they know where they're going, and it's safer if they drive due to not being distracted.

Thank you so much for replying Eric and for your offer to assist me. I really appreciate it.

Right now I'm thinking a general overview but might re-consider that if good options are available for more specialized tours. Since I've not been to Gettysburg since I was five and am not likely to get back in this life I want to see all the famous places and try and get a feel for the actual ground. Reading a book and looking at a map are helpful but it's not the same as seeing the actual lay of the land. As we always said in the mapping profession "the map is not the terrain."

So, what about getting out on the personal car tour - does that happen ? What's your opinion of a self-guided tour ?

Thanks again.

 

[Eric Wittenberg]

Thank you so much for replying Eric and for your offer to assist me. I really appreciate it.

Right now I'm thinking a general overview but might re-consider that if good options are available for more specialized tours. Since I've not been to Gettysburg since I was five and am not likely to get back in this life I want to see all the famous places and try and get a feel for the actual ground. Reading a book and looking at a map are helpful but it's not the same as seeing the actual lay of the land. As we always said in the mapping profession "the map is not the terrain."

So, what about getting out on the personal car tour - does that happen ? What's your opinion of a self-guided tour ?

Thanks again.

I don't know of a single guide who does a tour without making multiple stops during the course of the tour. And it's your tour--if there's something you want to see, pipe up and tell him or her.

Do NOT do the self-guided tour. You're much, much better off having someone who knows the terrain AND the troop movements interpret for you.

And you're very welcome.

 

[John Winn]

I don't know of a single guide who does a tour without making multiple stops during the course of the tour. And it's your tour--if there's something you want to see, pipe up and tell him or her.

Do NOT do the self-guided tour. You're much, much better off having someone who knows the terrain AND the troop movements interpret for you.

And you're very welcome.

Well, alrighty then. That helps a lot. Anybody you especially like for the overview tour or do I just take the next available operator ?

 

[airlinkdiva]

When I was at Vicksburg late last year, there were people who hired guides. They were out at the stops, giving detail on that point of the stop. I admit being nosy and listening. I would suggest getting one and stopping at each stop you can. While you might can get away with just driving, stop, point and drive on. I prefer to get out of the car and discuss battle formations, who was at what position, what did they do and why. This is a better understanding and I plan to hire a guide in the spring on my return to Vicksburg and any other battlefield that offers this option

 

[Eric Wittenberg]

Well, alrighty then. That helps a lot. Anybody you especially like for the overview tour or do I just take the next available operator ?

Any of them will do quite nicely for a good overview tour. Does any particular aspect interest? As an example, some folks want to learn about the artillery. Others want to focus on Pickett's Charge, etc. If there is some particular angle you'd like to focus on, please tell me and I can help identify someone for you. Otherwise, any of the guides will do quite nicely for you for a general overview.

 

[John Winn]

Any of them will do quite nicely for a good overview tour. Does any particular aspect interest? As an example, some folks want to learn about the artillery. Others want to focus on Pickett's Charge, etc. If there is some particular angle you'd like to focus on, please tell me and I can help identify someone for you. Otherwise, any of the guides will do quite nicely for you for a general overview.

Actually, field artillery is a special interest of mine (great grandpa was in the Richmond Howitzers but not at Gettysburg; in the hospital in Richmond). If I got a specialized tour concentrating on artillery would I miss out on the big picture ?

Sorry to be such a pest but I like to get as much information as I can so as to make the best use of my time. I don't like to get home and say 'I wish I'd have done X instead of Y' or 'we should have spent more time at A than B.' So I do my homework.

You know, a Type A.

 

[Eric Wittenberg]

Actually, field artillery is a special interest of mine (great grandpa was in the Richmond Howitzers but not at Gettysburg; in the hospital in Richmond). If I got a specialized tour concentrating on artillery would I miss out on the big picture ?

Sorry to be such a pest but I like to get as much information as I can so as to make the best use of my time. I don't like to get home and say 'I wish I'd have done X instead of Y' or 'we should have spent more time at A than B.' So I do my homework.

You know, a Type A.

I'm a lawyer, John. You'd be hard pressed to find someone a whole lot more Type A than me.

My good friend Christina Moon specializes in the artillery. She would give an excellent overview for you, and you could either have do a second tour that focuses on the smoke and noise boys, or you could have her emphasize them during an overview. If you like, I can put you in touch with her as we get closer.

 

[MRB1863]

Actually, field artillery is a special interest of mine (great grandpa was in the Richmond Howitzers but not at Gettysburg; in the hospital in Richmond). If I got a specialized tour concentrating on artillery would I miss out on the big picture ?

Sorry to be such a pest but I like to get as much information as I can so as to make the best use of my time. I don't like to get home and say 'I wish I'd have done X instead of Y' or 'we should have spent more time at A than B.' So I do my homework.

You know, a Type A.

Doing one's homework is always a great idea! IMHO it is admirable that you want to get as much out of this special visit that you possibly can! I suggest in addition to Eric's astute replies that you do as much reading on the subjects of your primary interest before September. Having a firm foundation of the history behind these sites will add a tremendous value to your visiting them. (That is just my 2 cents.)

 

[John Winn]

I'm a lawyer, John. You'd be hard pressed to find someone a whole lot more Type A than me.

My good friend Christina Moon specializes in the artillery. She would give an excellent overview for you, and you could either have do a second tour that focuses on the smoke and noise boys, or you could have her emphasize them during an overview. If you like, I can put you in touch with her as we get closer.

That's really nice of you Eric. I'll buy you a drink (or whatever you like) at the get-together in September.

Let me think on that a while. Ms. Moon sounds like she might be a good option. I'll PM you once I've thunk this out a bit.

Now I have to figure out how to organize my trip-planning files: alphabetically, by subject, by place, chronologically, some combination. Spreadsheet, database, cross-indexed ? I know I'll lose some sleep over that. Yeah, Type A.

 

[MRB1863]

John,
Here are some links you may find helpful and interesting:
http://www.nps.gov/gett/planyourvisit/brochures.htm
http://www.nps.gov/gett/planyourvisit/gettingaround.htm
http://www.gettysburgfoundation.org/media/assets/GETT-brochure.pdf
http://www.gettysburg.com/bog/batmaps1.htm
http://gettysburg.stonesentinels.com/tour-the-gettysburg-battlefield/
http://www.civilwar.org/battlefield...nimated-map/?referrer=https://www.google.com/

...hope some of these are helpful for you!

 

[MRB1863]

Oh, and here is one more that is one of my favorites:
http://www.loc.gov/resource/g3824g.cw0333000/

 

[Eric Wittenberg]

That's really nice of you Eric. I'll buy you a drink (or whatever you like) at the get-together in September.

Let me think on that a while. Ms. Moon sounds like she might be a good option. I'll PM you once I've thunk this out a bit.

Now I have to figure out how to organize my trip-planning files: alphabetically, by subject, by place, chronologically, some combination. Spreadsheet, database, cross-indexed ? I know I'll lose some sleep over that. Yeah, Type A.

Yep, that's Type A for sure.

Please let me know your preference when you're ready, and I will gladly make the introduction.

 

[Nathanb1]

I'll be at the September get-together and am considering hiring a battlefield guide. Looking on line all I've found so far is that one can book a 40 minute car tour where, it appears, the guide drives your car or you can get on a little bus with some other people. There's no real description of the tours.

I'm more prone to not be part of a group and so I'm wondering about the personal car option. They don't say if you get out of the car anyplace or it's all just drive by while the guide talks. Anybody know ? Does the 40 minutes cover the entire battlefield ? I sent an email but never got any response.

Apparently there's also self-guided tours which I think means you rent an audio player and get a map and drive yourself. Is that right ? How long should I allow for doing the self-guided tour ?

Any suggestions for how best to see the battlefield ? While I know the gist of what went down I'm not a military historian and don't know exactly who was where when. It would be nice to have somebody who did know such detail and could paint a good picture of what happened on a given piece of terrain. I'm happy to pay the price for a good guide and wonder if there are options I've not found out about yet.

Thanks in advance for any help y'all can provide regarding hiring a guide.

John, check out the Travel forum. I'll give my experience to start. My husband and I went in 2008, before I had all these resources from CWT. We sort of seized the day before the Civil War Trust teacher's institute to run to Gettysburg. We had one day, from about 10 am to 10 pm, to see what we could. Of course, we started out in the VC, but we also reserved a guide for the afternoon. Best decision ever! We were in a rental car, but he drove, I sat in the back so I could see both sides, and the hubs was in the front. He asked some questions to get an idea of what we wanted, then we were off. I'm forever grateful he drove, because not only is it confusing your first time...the traffic in July was often crowded, as you can imagine...not to mention folks emerging from the woods, horseback riders....

He stopped frequently, answered questions from basic to reasonably articulate, and most important...knew exactly where to park so we had the maximum use of our time!

He was such a good guide we were able to go out on our own after checking into the motel and a great meal, and were able to negotiate with fewer people, take nice photos, and even go to a few extra spots we had forgotten to ask about. It was an excellent use of our time and money. Once you have driven around with someone who knows their business, it becomes very easy to locate other sites with a good map (Trailhead Graphics is the best...withstands sweaty hands, water and all sorts of abuse!).

I would definitely prepare with a list of must-see spots and questions you'd like to ask. I was often simply speechless at the thought of being there. Hopefully he realized that and didn't think I was a complete idiot!

 

[Nathanb1]

And check out Civil War Trust for their battlefield apps and 360 views...and maps, tourist info....Etc.

 

[FarawayFriend]

What an interesting question!! And thanks for all replies from my side of the pond also!
I can only say, I would never again do the bus tour! Too many different levels of education. It was my first time there and so it was okay because I did not know anything. But I can clearly remember someone asking if we would stop at Devil's Den and the guide said, no, we will just drive by, wave and say "Hello Devil's Den" which I even then, with no knowledge at all found totally inappropriate. And he was always laughing and giggling, and that annoyed me so much...
It's good to know that the guide will do the driving, I always thought I would not be able to concentrate on what he has to tell while driving around...

 

[Rebforever]

Those folks that are tour guides at Gettysburg do a fabulous job. My Grandson and I used a guide that was a regular on
Eric's forum. Can't recall his name seeing as how it was 5-6 years ago. I and others there followed along with him when he was taking the test. I was interested only about the 52nd Infantry at the time, and He talked and stopped as we left the VC
and until we got back to the VC. An amazing fellow and very knowledgeable. Highly recommend.

Eric, sorry I can't remember his name.

 

[samuel orris]

As Eric said, a typical tour is 3 hours or longer at your discretion. The guide will ask if there is any particular part of the battlefield you want to see. They usually ask where you're from (what state) or if you had any relatives who fought there. They drive your car and you do get out and walk, like LRT. Just remember a generous tip at the end of the tour. You won't be disappointed.

 

[Rebforever]

As Eric said, a typical tour is 3 hours or longer at your discretion. The guide will ask if there is any particular part of the battlefield you want to see. They usually ask where you're from (what state) or if you had any relatives who fought there. They drive your car and you do get out and walk, like LRT. Just remember a generous tip at the end of the tour. You won't be disappointed.