This was one of five experiences we had with Tom Schultz from DC Military Tours and this one fulfilled an ambition to visit Gettysburg I've held since I was ten years old.
Tom has an extensive knowledge of the battle and after visiting the cyclorama (time in there was a little short sadly, due to the number of visitors) and the National Cemetery we toured the field by car following the action day by day. Our stops included the Union delaying actions on day 1 north of the town; the Confederate lines and memorials, Little Round Top and The 'Angle'. You could spend a week on the field and not see everything, that said, Tom packed in an awful lot in the day. His military knowledge of topography and the minds and bodies of fighting men made his commentaries highly detailed and insightful.
Tom is much more than a tour guide. He is a historian who also has the knowledge and experience of a 20 year Navy veteran. On a practical level he picks up from your accommodation and drops you back at the end of the tour (this was a 'proper' full day tour).
Tom's knowledge is extensive as you would expect. That said, his superpower, if you like, is the ability to pitch and flex your experience to exactly what you are interested in. Your experience will start on the journey to Gettysburg when Tom will talk about the background to the battle and set the scene. Tom doesn't follow a rigidly set route or script, he's too good for that, and he will 'call an audible' if he thinks a stop somewhere would be interesting for you as his listens to your questions and comments. On this occasion I happened to mention Longstreet's Memorial early in the day and later on; there we were.
He was also able to enthuse my wife, who was very much humouring my enthusiasm to begin with, so much so that she started listening to Stephen Sears book 'Gettysburg' through Audible on the flight home!
Tom's enthusiasm for history is obvious and somewhat infectious, and this makes him a perfect guide.
Odpowiedź od gospodarza
Jun 2022
Colin and Allison,
I'm so glad we were able to spend a week together on Civil War themed sites in Virginia and Pennsylvania. Your kind praise is overwhelming. I'm particularly pleased that Allison enjoyed the experience as the Civil War is more of your hobby horse. I'm also most pleased to make your acquaintance as a friend. I will definitely knock on your door in Cornwall when I finally get my act together for a visit to England. Best wishes. Please do come back. - Tom