History America TOURS

Between Two Wars:
The Great Smoky Mountains

Battles for Freedom in East Tennessee
and South Carolina

April 27-May 4, 2013
Historian Guide: Neil Mangum

The rugged vastness and dense forests of the Great Smoky Mountains rise along the border between Tennessee and North Carolina. This majestic mountain range offers more than just beautiful scenery — it's the blend of breathtaking grandeur with the memory of early struggles.

During the American Revolution, when settlements had scarcely breached areas west of the Appalachians, battles were fought generally east of the Smoky Mountains. British strategy was to capture territory with regular forces and then train local militia to hold the territory. While the plan met with some success in the colony of Georgia, in South Carolina British authorities failed to take into account the determination of patriot resistance. Clashes at Kings Mountain and Cowpens and the Siege of Ninety-Six helped the underdog Americans' cause for independence.

During the Civil War the Smoky Mountains formed a natural barrier to the movement of large standing armies. Confederate forces had to send troops and supplies along the southern seaboard to reach East Tennessee by rail or along lines connecting western Virginia with the region. Union forces, using the Tennessee River, found easier access. The North considered Chattanooga the gateway to the Deep South and fought pivotal battles at Chickamauga and Lookout Mountain.

Visit battle sites and absorb all aspects of Appalachian culture on this journey into America's past. With veteran historian guide Neil Mangum, you will gain new insights into a place that had a significant role in shaping two wars.