The Civil War (1861-1865): A History Podcast

In which the Confederate attack finally begins on the afternoon of July 2, 1863, and after fierce fighting the Federal defenders are pushed off of Devil's Den. 

In which there's some command confusion on the Confederate side before the attack on the Union left on the afternoon of July 2, 1863.

In which we look at whether Dan Sickles actually saved the day for the Federals on the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg...

In which Dan Sickles makes his move.

In which we continue to look at Dan Sickles' story, and the background to the bad blood between him and George Meade.

In which we look at one of the most controversial figures associated with the story of the Battle of Gettysburg- Dan Sickles.

In which we look at Longstreet's flank march on July 2 and its surprise ending.

In which we look at how Robert E Lee's plan to attack the Union left on July 2 was based on flawed intelligence.

In which we look at Robert E Lee's decision to continue the battle on July 2, 1863 by attacking the Federals.

In which we look at the Federals' fishhook line of defense, and discuss the benefits of operating on interior lines.

In which it's all Meade, all the time.

In which the Confederates score an incomplete victory on the first day of the battle, as the Federals retain control of the key high ground south of town.

In which the Federals consolidate their position on Cemetery Hill and await a renewed Confederate attack.

In which the Federal First Corps line on Seminary Ridge collapses, and Union soldiers from the Eleventh Corps and First Corps retreat through the streets of Gettysburg to Cemetery Hill. 

In which the Federal First Corps line on McPherson's Ridge, south of the Chambersburg Pike, collapses as Heth's Confederates advance on the afternoon of July 1, 1863.

In which we turn our attention to the First Corps portion of the Federal line and start to talk about its collapse on the afternoon of July 1, 1863.

In which the Federal Eleventh Corps line north of Gettysburg collapses when it is attacked by Ewell's Confederates.

In which OO Howard and the Eleventh Corps arrive at Gettysburg.

In which Robert E Lee arrives on the battlefield at Gettysburg on July 1, 1863.

In which we make a special announcement.

In which Rodes' assault on the Federal First Corps line continues, with Daniel's Brigade moving to the attack.

In which we look at the beginning of Rodes' attack from Oak Hill and the destruction of Iverson's Brigade.

In which we see more units from both armies arrive on the field- Howard's Eleventh Corps for the Federals and Rodes' Division of Ewell's Corps for the Confederates.

In which we look at what Robert E Lee was up to on July 1, 1863.

In which we look at George Meade's activities June 28-July 1.

In which we look at the fight at the railroad cut on the morning of July 1, 1863.

In which the entire right side of the Federal line, north of the Chambersburg Pike, collapses when attacked by Joe Davis's brigade of Confederates.

In which the hard-charging Iron Brigade drives Archer's Confederates out of the Herbst woodlot.

In which we see the first Federal infantry arrive on the battlefield, just in the nick of time.

In which we do some myth-busting, looking at stories about shoes, Spencers, and sharpshooters.

In which we examine John Reynolds' key role in bringing about a battle at Gettysburg.

In which we evaluate John Buford's performance in carrying out his covering force action on the morning of July 1, 1863 outside Gettysburg.

In which John Buford buys time for the Federal infantry to arrive on the scene.

In which Harry Heth runs into real, live Yankee soldiers on the road to Gettysburg.

In which we find out it was the roads (of course) that brought the armies to Gettysburg. Plus, John Buford!

In which the armies move toward a collision.

In which turn our attention back to the Army of the Potomac and find that Hooker is out and Meade is in.

In which the Confederates push deeper into Pennsylvania as Ewell's Corps approaches the Susquehanna River on two fronts (at Wrightsville and by way of Carlisle).

In which Jubal Early visits Gettysburg on June 26, 1863.

In which the Confederates plunder their way up the Cumberland Valley after entering Pennsylvania.

In which we find Hooker marking time below the Potomac, Lee orders Ewell to move north into Pennsylvania, and we wonder Jeb Stuart was allowed to ride off, away from the Army of Northern Virginia.

In which Hooker finally moves the Army of the Potomac... we look at several cavalry clashes in the Loudon Valley... and Tracy sees how many different ways she can pronounce "Susquehanna."

In which we cover the action at Second Winchester (and Stephenson's Depot) on June 13-15, 1863.

In which we get Ewell into the Valley and set the stage for the Second Battle of Winchester.

In which we finish up our discussion of the Battle of Brandy Station, which took place on June 9, 1863.

In which we look at the start of the action at the Battle of Brandy Station on June 9, 1863.

In which Joe Hooker decides to do something about the concentration of rebel cavalry under Jeb Stuart at Culpeper.

In which the armies start to move. Well, one of the armies starts to move.

In which we turn our attention to the Army of the Potomac and the troubles in its high command after the fiasco at Chancellorsville.

In which we look at Robert E Lee's reorganization of the Army of Northern Virginia prior to the start of the Gettysburg Campaign.

In which we look at Robert E Lee's reasons for launching an offensive strike north into Pennsylvania in the summer of 1863. 

In which we look at the May 15, 1863 conference in Richmond attended by Jefferson Davis, James Seddon, and Robert E Lee.

In which we kick-off the Gettysburg story arc.

In which Sherman scares off Johnston, Gardner surrenders Port Hudson to Banks, and we wrap-up the Vicksburg story arc.

In which we see John Pemberton surrender Vicksburg to Ulysses S Grant on July 4, 1863, ending the forty-seven day siege.

In which we look at Confederate efforts to aid Pemberton and the besieged Vicksburg garrison.

In which we look at Federal siege operations at Vicksburg, May-June 1863.

In which we look at Grant's failed attacks on Vicksburg on May 19 & 22, 1863.

In which we look at the decisive clash of the Vicksburg Campaign- the Battle of Champion Hill, which took place on May 16, 1863.

In which we slip in a plug for joining the Strawfoot Brigade while sharing the story of how Benjamin Grierson saved William Tecumseh Sherman's life at Fort Sill in 1871. 

In which the Confederates lose the Battle of Raymond, lose the Mississippi state capital of Jackson, and Pemberton- against his own better judgement- moves out to confront Grant.

In which we see Grant's Army of the Tennessee set out on its epic march into the interior of Mississippi, in order to cut off Vicksburg from supplies & reinforcements.

* This episode of the podcast was sponsored by Simon & Schuster, publishers of "Lincoln's Spies: Their Secret War to Save a Nation" by Douglas Waller. Available wherever you get your books.

In which we look at the Battle of Port Gibson, which took place on May 1, 1863, as Grant advanced inland after landing on the east side of the Mississippi River.

In which we see the Federals marching down the Louisiana side of the Mississippi River... Porter's gunboats get battered at Grand Gulf... and by the end of the show, Grant's army is finally ready to cross over to the east bank below Vicksburg.

In which we turn our attention back to Ulysses S Grant, who makes the fateful decision to march his army down the west side of the Mississippi River and then cross to the east bank below the Confederate strongpoint of Vicksburg.

In which we look at Banks' successful Bayou Teche Campaign in central Louisiana in the spring of 1863.

In which we look at events downriver from Vicksburg, including the appointment of Major General Nathaniel Banks to command the Department of the Gulf and Rear Admiral David Farragut running the the Confederate batteries at Port Hudson.

In which we look at the fate of USS Indianola and talk about the failure of the Yazoo Pass and Steele's Bayou expeditions.

In which we look at the Federal attack on Arkansas Post on January 11, 1863.

In which we look at Sherman's failed assault at Chickasaw Bayou, north of Vicksburg, at the end of December 1862.

In which we start to look at Grant's first attempt to wrest Vicksburg from the Confederates. It didn't go well.

In which we continue to look at the background to the Vicksburg Campaign.

In which we continue to look at the background to the Vicksburg Campaign.

In which start to look at the background to the Vicksburg Campaign.

In which we wrap-up our look at how West Virginia, in the midst of the Civil War, became the thirty-fifth state of the Union.

In which we start to look at the story of how West Virginia became the thirty-fifth state of the Union.

In which we look at the wounding and death of Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson (1824-1863).

In which Hooker retreats, Lee stews, and we wrap-up our discussion of the Chancellorsville Campaign.

In which we see Robert E Lee fail in his attempt to "demolish" Sedgwick on May 4, 1863.

In which we look at the fighting at Salem Church on May 3, 1863.

In which our focus shifts to the fighting east of Chancellorsville, at Fredericksburg and Salem Church.

In which the Confederate forces of Jeb Stuart & Robert E Lee capture the Chancellorsville intersection after furious fighting on the morning of May 3, 1863. 

In which there is fierce fighting on May 3, 1863 as the Confederates fight to reunite their divided forces at Chancellorsville.

In which Stonewall Jackson is wounded by friendly fire on the evening of May 2, 1863 at the Battle of Chancellorsville.

In which Stonewall Jackson's flank attack on the evening of May 2, 1863 stalls due to his command's increasing disorganization, the onset of night, and stiffening Federal resistance.

In which Stonewall Jackson's flank attack on the evening of May 2, 1863 shatters the Eleventh Corps of the Army of the Potomac.

In which Stonewall Jackson completes his famous flank march and prepares to launch his attack, which took place on the evening of May 2, 1863 at the Battle of Chancellorsville.

In which we get Stonewall Jackson started on his famous flank march, which took place during the Battle of Chancellorsville on May 2, 1863.

In which we look at one of the most famous events during the Battle of Chancellorsville- the so-called "Cracker Box Meeting" between Robert E Lee and Stonewall Jackson the night of May 1/2, 1863.

In which Robert E. Lee moves to counter the threat from the Federal flanking force at Chancellorsville.

In which we see that while the Federal flanking force converges on Chancellorsville, the left wing of Hooker's army crosses the Rappahannock River just below Fredericksburg on April 29, 1863.

In which we see the Army of the Potomac begin to move and open the spring campaign, which will lead to the Battle of Chancellorsville during the first week of May 1863.

In which we begin our coverage of the Battle of Chancellorsville, which took place in Virginia during the first week of May 1863.

In which we finish up with our look at the Federal operations against Charleston, South Carolina during the summer of 1862 and spring of 1863.

In which we look at the Federal operations against Charleston, South Carolina during the summer of 1862 and spring of 1863.

In which we look at the story behind the cavalry fight near Kelly's Ford on the Rappahannock River on March 17, 1863.

In which we look at how the Army of the Potomac came to look at Fighting Joe Hooker as the best thing since sliced bread.

In which we look at how Fighting Joe Hooker came to be given command of the Army of the Potomac in January, 1863.

In which we share a short postscript to our coverage of the Battle of Galveston (Texas), which took place on January 1, 1863.

In which we look at the action during the Battle of Galveston (Texas), which took place on January 1, 1863.

In which we set the stage for the Battle of Galveston (Texas), which took place on January 1, 1863.

In which Rich & Tracy have some fun for the 250th episode of the show by answering your questions about the Civil War, waffles, and just whose idea it was to do this podcast.

In which we wrap-up our look back at what happened during the second year of the Civil War.

In which we continue with our look back at what happened during the second year of the Civil War.

In which we continue with our look back at what happened during the second year of the Civil War.

In which we use a couple of episodes to take a look back at what happened during the second year of the Civil War.

In which we wrap-up our discussion of the Battle of Stones River, which took place outside Murfreesboro, Tennessee from December 31, 1862 to January 2, 1863.

In which we continue telling the story of the Battle of Stones River, which took place outside of Murfreesboro, Tennessee from December 31, 1862 to January 2, 1863.

In which we continue to tell the story of the Battle of Stones River, which took place outside of Murfreesboro, Tennessee from December 31, 1862 to January 2, 1863.

In which we look at the start of the Confederate attack on the morning of December 31, 1862 at the Battle of Stones River. 

In which we continue to set the stage for the Battle of Stones River, which took place outside Murfreesboro, Tennessee from December 31, 1862 to January 2, 1863.

In which we start to set the stage for the Battle of Stones River, which took place outside of Murfreesboro, Tennessee from December 31, 1862 to January 2, 1863.

In which we look at how Burnside's January offensive succumbed to the Virginia mud.

In which we look at the political and military fallout after the Federal defeat at the Battle of Fredericksburg in December 1862.

In which we wrap-up our discussion of the Battle of Fredericksburg, which took place on December 13, 1862.

In which we look at the series of increasingly futile assaults the Federals launched against Marye's Heights at the Battle of Fredericksburg on December 13, 1862.

In which we switch our focus to the action on the northern part of the battlefield on December 13, 1862, as the Federals begin to launch a series of bloody, futile assaults against Marye's Heights.

In which we look at the action on the southern portion of the Fredericksburg battlefield on December 13, 1862 as Meade's and Gibbon's divisions assaulted the Confederate line.

In which we say this is Episode #234, but it's really Episode #233.

In which we set the stage for Franklin's attack on the southern portion of the Confederate line on December 13, 1862.

In which the Federals make a successful river crossing under fire, finish their bridges, fight through the streets of Fredericksburg, and then proceed to thoroughly ransack the town.

In which, under the category "better late than never," we finally get this episode released. 

In which Burnside's campaign starts to fall apart for lack of pontoons. Plus, Fighting Joe Hooker sends a friend request to Edwin Stanton.

In which we look at Abraham Lincoln's need for a military victory to sustain emancipation as a war aim, and how that led to Burnside's winter offensive and the Battle of Fredericksburg (Virginia).

In which we look at Ambrose Burnside's decision to accept command of the Army of the Potomac in early November, 1862. Plus, bloopers!

In which we look at the story behind President Abraham Lincoln relieving Major General George B. McClellan from command of the Army of the Potomac in November, 1862.

In which we look at the action at the Battle of Prairie Grove (Arkansas), which took place on December 7, 1862.

In which we look at the maneuvering that brought the armies to Prairie Grove, including the epic march of the Missouri Divisions to the battlefield.

In which we continue to set the stage for Prairie Grove- by looking at the Battle of Cane Hill (Arkansas), which took place on November 28, 1862. 

In which we begin to set the stage for the Battle of Prairie Grove, which took place in northwest Arkansas on December 7, 1862.

In which we look at the action at the Battle of Davis Bridge (Tennessee), which took place on October 5, 1862 in the aftermath of the Confederate defeat at Corinth.

In which we look at the action at the Battle of Corinth (Mississippi), which took place on October 3 & 4, 1862.

In which one of us continues to set the stage for the Battle of Corinth (Mississippi), which took place on October 3 & 4, 1862.

In which we set the stage for the Battle of Corinth (Mississippi), which took place on October 3 & 4, 1862.

In which we discuss the action at the Battle of Iuka (Mississippi), which took place on September 19, 1862.

In which we set the stage for the battles of Iuka and Corinth, which took place back in northern Mississippi while Braxton Bragg was up in Kentucky.

In which we wrap-up our discussion of the Battle of Perryville (Kentucky), which took place on October 8, 1862.

In which we continue our discussion of the Battle of Perryville (Kentucky), which took place on October 8, 1862.

In which we continue telling the story of the Battle of Perryville (Kentucky), which took place on October 8, 1862.

In which the first shots of the Battle of Perryville (Kentucky) are fired early on the morning of October 8, 1862.

In which we set the stage for the Battle of Perryville, which took place in Kentucky on October 8, 1862.

In which Rich & Tracy, with scratchy throats and failing voices, power through the episode to share the story of the epic march of the Federal garrison that evacuated Cumberland Gap during the 1862 Kentucky Campaign.

In which we look at Braxton Bragg's capture of Munfordville, Kentucky on September 17, 1862.

In which we look at the fighting at the Battle of Richmond (Kentucky), which took place on August 30, 1862.

In which we continue our march toward Perryville.  In this episode we set the stage for the Battle of Richmond (Kentucky), which was one of the most lop-sided victories of the Civil War.

In which we start to set the stage for the Battle of Perryville, which took place in Kentucky on October 8, 1862.

In which we turn our attention back to the western theater of the war...

In which Rich flies solo (Tracy is visiting family), but manages to wrap-up our discussion of the Emancipation Proclamation.

In which we discuss Abraham Lincoln's release of the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation on September 22, 1862.

In which we continue setting the stage for Abraham Lincoln issuing the Emancipation Proclamation.

In which we begin to trace the evolution of the federal government's ideas & policies about slavery & emancipation during the Civil War.

In which we look at the aftermath of the 1862 Maryland Campaign, and we also set the stage for our discussion of the Emancipation Proclamation.

In which we wrap-up our discussion of the Battle of Antietam, which took place on September 17, 1862.

In which we look at the aftermath of the Federal assault on the Sunken Road, and also the Ninth Corps' capture of Burnside Bridge.

In which we look at Round 2 of the fight for the Sunken Road, aka Bloody Lane, at the Battle of Antietam on September 17, 1862.

In which we look at Round 1 in the fight for the Sunken Road, aka Bloody Lane, at the Battle of Antietam on September 17, 1862.

In which we look at the final major combat on the northern part of the battlefield, as Greene's Federals gain a foothold in the West Woods near the Dunker Church.  Next week, the action shifts to the Sunken Road.

In which we look at the ill-fated attack into the West Woods by John Sedgwick's division of Sumner's Second Corps at the Battle of Antietam on September 17, 1862.

In which we look at the attack by Joseph Mansfield's Twelfth Corps against the north end of the Confederate line on the morning of Wednesday, September 17, 1862 at the Battle of Antietam.

In which we continue our discussion of the attack by Hooker's First Corps at the Battle of Antietam on the morning of September 17, 1862.

In which we look at the start of the action at the Battle of Antietam on the morning of Wednesday, September 17, 1862.

In which we take a closer look at the action late on Tuesday, September 16, 1862- on the eve if the great battle.

In which we finish setting the stage for the Battle of Antietam, as we take the story right up to the eve of the battle.

In which we continue to set the stage for the Battle of Antietam, which took place on September 17, 1862.

In which we continue to set the stage for the Battle of Antietam, which took place on September 17, 1862.

In which we wrap-up our discussion of the Battle of South Mountain (which took place on September 14, 1862) and start to set the stage for the Battle of Antietam (which took place on September 17, 1862).  

In which we continue our look at the Battle of South Mountain, which took place on September 14, 1862.

In which we start to look at the fighting at the Battle of South Mountain, which took place on September 14, 1862 and was an important milepost on the two armies' road to Antietam.

In which we discuss Napoleon's victory over the Austrians at Castiglione in 1796. Oh, and we also talk about some Civil War stuff.

In which we look at the movements of the Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia after it crossed over the Potomac River into Maryland. We also discuss the reaction of George B. McClellan's Army of the Potomac to the Confederate invasion of Maryland. And we talk about Lee's Special Orders No. 191. 

In which we discuss Robert E. Lee's decision to strike north after Second Manassas, and the great events that awaited the outcome of his invasion of Maryland.

In which we look at what happened in the aftermath of the Second Battle of Manassas, including Lincoln's decision to ask George McClellan to take command of the merged Union armies in northern Virginia.

In which we wrap up our discussion of the Second Battle of Manassas, which took place August 28-30, 1862.

In which we look at some of the action on Saturday, August 30, 1862, the third day of the Second Battle of Manassas.

In which we look at the action on the second day of the Second Battle of Manassas (August 29, 1862).

In which we look at the fight at the Brawner Farm, which took place on the evening of August 28, 1862.

In which we look at Stonewall Jackson's capture of the huge Federal supply depot at Manassas Junction, and his subsequent march to the old battlefield of First Manassas nearby.

In which we continue our march toward Second Manassas, looking at Stonewall Jackson's movement around John Pope's right flank.

In which we continue our march toward Second Manassas by looking at how Robert E. Lee forced John Pope to withdraw from his line along the Rapidan River, but then Lee's advance stalled in front of Pope's new position along the Rappahannock.

In which we look at the action at the Battle of Cedar Mountain, which took place on August 9, 1862.

In which we set the stage for the Battle of Cedar Mountain, which took place on August 9, 1862 on the road to Second Manassas.

In which we look at the circumstances surrounding John Pope's appointment to command the Union's Army of Virginia in June of 1862.

In which we discuss how the Seven Days' Battles and the failure of McClellan's Peninsula Campaign in the summer of 1862 was a turning point in the Civil War.

In which we look at the aftermath of the Seven Days' Battles, and the decision to withdraw the Army of the Potomac from the Peninsula.

In which we look at the action at the final battle of the Seven Days' Campaign: the Battle of Malvern Hill, which took place on July 1, 1862.

In which we set the stage for the Battle of Malvern Hill, which took place on July 1, 1862.

In which we look at the action at the Battle of Glendale, which took place on Monday, June 30, 1862.

In which we set the stage for the next battle of the Seven Days' Campaign: Glendale (June 30, 1862).

In which we look at the next clash during the Seven Days' Campaign: Savage's Station (June 29, 1862).

In which we look at the aftermath of the Battle of Gaines's Mill, which took place on June 27, 1862.

In which we conclude our discussion of the third battle of the Seven Days' Campaign: Gaines's Mill (June 27, 1862).

In which we continue our discussion of the third battle of the Seven Days' Campaign: Gaines's Mill (June 27, 1862).

In which we discuss the third battle of the Seven Days' Campaign: Gaines's Mill (June 27, 1862).

In which we discuss the first two battles of the Seven Days' Campaign, Oak Grove (June 25, 1862) and Mechanicsville (June 26). 

In which we set the stage for the Seven Days' Battles (June 25- July 1, 1862) by looking at Jefferson Davis's decision to put Robert E. Lee in command of the Confederate army defending Richmond.

In which we review the important events of the Peninsula Campaign, up to the Battle of Fair Oaks (May 31- June 1, 1862) and Robert E. Lee's appointment to command the Army of Northern Virginia. 

In which we wrap-up our discussion of Stonewall Jackson's famous 1862 Valley Campaign.

In which we look at the battles of Cross Keys and Port Republic, which took place at the end of Jackson's Valley Campaign on June 8 & 9, 1862.

In which we look at Carroll's raid on Port Republic, which took place on Sunday, June 8, 1862.

In which we see Stonewall Jackson slip through the Federals' trap, and we begin to set the stage for the battles at Cross Keys & Port Republic.

In which we look at what happened after Stonewall Jackson's victory at the First Battle of Winchester in May, 1862 during the Valley Campaign.

In which we look at the First Battle of Winchester, which took place on May 25, 1862 during Stonewall Jackson's Valley Campaign.

In which we look at the events of Saturday May 24, 1862- the day sandwiched in between the battles at Front Royal and Winchester during Stonewall Jackson's Valley Campaign.

In which we look at the engagement at Front Royal, which took place during Stonewall Jackson's Valley Campaign on May 23, 1862.

In which we lay out the background to the battles of Front Royal and Winchester, which took place in May 1862 during Stonewall Jackson's Valley Campaign.

In which we look at the Battle of McDowell, which took place on May 8, 1862.

In which we lay out the background to the Battle of McDowell, which took place on May 8, 1862.

In which we discuss the activities of the Confederate and Union forces in the Shenandoah Valley after the Battle of Kernstown (March 23, 1862).

In which we conclude our discussion of the Battle of Kernstown, which took place on March 23, 1862.

In which we look at the start of the action at the First Battle of Kernstown, which took place on March 23, 1862.

In which we lay out the background to the First Battle of Kernstown, which took place in March 1862.

In which we look at Stonewall Jackson's controversial winter-time expedition against Romney in January, 1862. 

In which we continue with Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson's story, taking him from the start of the Civil War in April, 1861 to his assumption of command in the Shenandoah Valley in November, 1861.

In which we start look at Confederate general Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson's story.

In which we wrap-up our discussion of the Battle of Fair Oaks, which took place outside Richmond on May 31 & June 1, 1862.

In which we start to look at the Battle of Fair Oaks, which took place outside Richmond on May 31 & June 1, 1862.

In which we set the stage for the Battle of Fair Oaks, which took place outside Richmond over May 31-June 1, 1862.

In which we look at the First Battle of Drewry's Bluff on May 15, 1862 and also discuss the slow but steady march of the Army of the Potomac up the Peninsula as it closes in on Richmond.

In which we look at the engagement at Williamsburg on May 5, 1862 and the heavy skirmish at Eltham's Landing on May 7.

In which we continue our discussion of the Peninsula Campaign and see that George McClellan won Yorktown as he always hoped- without a battle.

In which we hit the pause button on the action during the Peninsula Campaign and we talk about (1) McClellan's special bond with the men of the Army of the Potomac, (2) McClellan's suspicious arithmetic and the security of Washington, and (3) Lincoln's decision to withhold McDowell's corps from McClellan.

In which we see the Army of the Potomac disembark at Fort Monroe and start its march up the Peninsula in April, 1862.

In which we finish setting the stage for McClellan's Peninsula Campaign.

In which we continue to set the stage for McClellan's Peninsula Campaign.

In which we continue to lay out the background to McClellan's Peninsula Campaign.

In which we start to set the stage for McClellan's Peninsula Campaign...

In which we conclude our discussion of the campaign and battle of Shiloh.

In which we look at the second day's fighting at the Battle of Shiloh. The battle took place over April 6-7, 1862.  This is the next-to-last episode in our Shiloh story arc (so we'll wrap things up next week!).

The "Lick 'Em Tomorrow Though" Episode

In which we continue telling the story of the Battle of Shiloh, which took place over April 6-7, 1862.

In which we continue telling the story of the Battle of Shiloh, which took place on April 6-7, 1862. In this episode we look at the legend of the Hornets' Nest and then discuss the formation of Grant's last line of defense.

In which we continue to tell the story of the Battle of Shiloh, which took place on April 6-7, 1862. In this episode we talk about the collapse of the Hornets' Nest.

In which we continue telling the story of the Battle of Shiloh, which took place on April 6-7, 1862.

In which we continue to tell the story of the Battle of Shiloh, which took place on April 6-7, 1862.  In this episode we discuss Sherman & McClernand's counterattack on the Union right, and we also look at the wayward march of Lew Wallace's Third Division.

In which we continue to tell the story of the Battle of Shiloh, which took place on April 6-7, 1862.

In which we discuss the death of the Confederate army's commanding general, Albert Sidney Johnston, during the Battle of Shiloh.

In which we continue with our look at the Battle of Shiloh, which took place on April 6-7, 1862.

In which we continue to tell the story of the Battle of Shiloh, which took place on April 6-7, 1862.

In which we continue our discussion of the Battle of Shiloh, which took place on April 6-7, 1862.

In which we continue our discussion of the Battle of Shiloh, which took place on April 6-7, 1862.

In which we continue to set the stage for the Battle of Shiloh, which took place on April 6-7, 1862.

In which we start to set the stage for the Battle of Shiloh, which took place on April 6-7, 1862.

In which we conclude our discussion of the Burnside Expedition, looking at the battle at New Bern (March 13, 1862) and the fall of Fort Macon (April 25, 1862). 

In which we look at the Burnside Expedition's capture of Roanoke Island, North Carolina on February 8, 1862.

In which we conclude our discussion of the world's first battle between two ironclad warships, the USS Monitor & the CSS Virginia, which took place on March 9, 1862.

In which we continue to tell the story of the world's first battle between two ironclad warships, the USS Monitor & the CSS Virginia, which took place on March 9, 1862.

In which we continue to tell the story of the world's first battle between two ironclad warships, the USS Monitor & the CSS Virginia, which took place on March 9, 1862.

In which we start to tell the story of the world's first battle between two ironclad warships, the USS Monitor & the CSS Virginia, which took place on March 9, 1862.

In which we conclude our discussion of the Battle of Pea Ridge, which took place in northwest Arkansas on March 7-8, 1862.

In which we continue our look at the Battle of Pea Ridge, which took place in northwest Arkansas on March 7-8, 1862.

In which we continue our discussion of the events preceding the Battle of Pea Ridge, which took place in northwest Arkansas on March 7-8, 1862.

In which we set the stage for the Battle of Pea Ridge, which took place in northwest Arkansas on March 7-8, 1862.

In which we make a special announcement and share some news about the podcast.

In which we celebrate our one hundreth episode with a music special featuring over twenty songs that were popular during the Civil War.

In which we wrap-up our discussion of Sibley's New Mexico Campaign by looking at the Battle of Glorieta Pass (March 28, 1862).

In which we talk about the Civil War origins of Thanksgiving Day, and share a few things for which we're thankful.

In which we continue our discussion of Sibley's New Mexico Campaign by looking at the Confederates' capture of Albuquerque & Santa Fe, the epic march of the First Colorado to Fort Union, and the engagement at Apache Pass (March 26, 1862).

In which we continue our look at Sibley's New Mexico Campaign by discussing the Battle of Valverde (February 21, 1862).

In which we set the stage for Sibley's New Mexico Campaign by discussing Texas's secession from the Union in February, 1861 and looking at "Baylor's Buffalo Hunt" (May-July, 1861). 

In which we talk a bit about Nathan Bedford Forrest's background and then take a closer look at his escape from Fort Donelson on February 16, 1862.

In which we conclude our discussion of the Battle of Fort Donelson (February 13-16, 1862).

In which we continue our discussion of the Battle of Fort Donelson (February 13-16, 1862).

In which we look at the opening stages of the Battle of Fort Donelson (February 13-16, 1862).

In which we look at the Federal timberclads' dramatic raid up the Tennessee River, and Albert Sidney Johnston's controversial decision to reinforce- but not to fully commit to the defense of- Fort Donelson.

In which we discuss the Battle of Fort Henry, which took place on February 6, 1862.

In which we give the background to Ulysses S. Grant's February, 1862 campaign to capture Forts Henry & Donelson in northern Tennessee.

In which we look at the Battle of Mill Springs, which took place in south-central Kentucky on January 19, 1862.

In which we set the stage for the Battle of Mill Springs, which took place in Kentucky on January 19, 1862.

In which we use a couple of episodes to take a look back at what happened during the first year of the Civil War.

In which we use a couple of episodes to take a look back at what happened during the first year of the Civil War.

In which we continue our discussion of Union and Confederate diplomacy during the Civil War by looking at the Trent Affair, which took the U.S. and Britain to the brink of war.

In which we discuss Union and Confederate foreign relations early in the Civil War, especially the South's use of "King Cotton Diplomacy."

In which we give you a short episode about the life of Confederate General Albert Sidney Johnston (1803-1862).

In which we give you a short episode about the timberclads & city-class ironclads of the Union's "brown water navy."

In which we discuss (among other things) the Battle of Belmont, which took place on November 7, 1861.

In which we set the stage for the Battle of Belmont (Nov. 7, 1861) by discussing Kentucky's neutrality early in the Civil War, and how the Confederate move to seize Columbus, KY pushed the Bluegrass State off the fence and into the Union camp.

In which we continue with our look at Ulysses S. Grant's life story, bringing him up to speed with the podcast timeline.

In which we set out to tell Ulysses S. Grant's life story and bring it up to speed with the point where we find ourselves on the podcast timeline- November, 1861.

In which we discuss the Port Royal Experiment on the South Carolina Sea Islands, which many people considered a dress rehearsal for the South's postwar reconstruction.

In which we set the stage for a discussion of the Port Royal Experiment, which took place on South Carolina's Sea Islands and which many people view as a "rehearsal for reconstruction."

In which we look at the Battle of Port Royal Sound, South Carolina (November 7, 1861).

In which we continue our discussion of the ordeal of Brigadier General Charles P. Stone.

In which we discuss the persecution of Brigadier General Charles Stone by the Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War.

In which we look at the Battle of Ball's Bluff (October 21, 1861).

In which we discuss George B. McClellan's arrival in Washington in July of 1861, and his taking command of the defeated & demoralized force that would become the Union's famed Army of the Potomac.

In which we look at Robert E. Lee's Cheat Mountain campaign in western Virginia in September, 1861.

In which we discuss the Blockade Board, Confederate privateers, and the capture of Hatteras Island by a Federal joint army-navy task force in August, 1861.

In which we look at John C. Fremont's tenure as commander of the Federal's Western Department in 1861 and see how troubled Missouri proved to be his downfall.

In which we discuss the successful siege of Lexington by Sterling Price's Missouri State Guard in September, 1861.

In which we cover the action at the Battle of Wilson's Creek (August 10, 1861).

In which we discuss the activities and maneuvering of both sides prior to the Battle of Wilson's Creek (August 10, 1861) in southwest Missouri.

In which we continue our look at the mayhem that broke out in Missouri at the start of the Civil War.  In this episode we cover the 'Battle of Carthage,' and set the stage for the Battle of Wilson's Creek.

In which we look at the mayhem that broke out in Missouri at the start of the Civil War.

In which we discuss Chief Justice Roger Taney's dramatic challenge to Abraham Lincoln's suspension of the writ of habeas corpus.

In which we continue our discussion of medical issues affecting Civil War soldiers.  In this episode we look at what happened to a soldier after he was wounded on the battlefield.

In which we look at medical aspects of the Civil War.  In this episode we focus on diseases, which killed many many more Civil War soldiers than did wounds.

In which we take a quick look at the story behind the Confederacy's famous battle flag, and also the history behind each of the Confederate States of America's three national flags.

In which we conclude our discussion of the First Battle of Manassas (July 21, 1861), looking at the Federal army's retreat and the failure of the Confederates to pursue, and then we offer some final thoughts on the war's first major battle.

In which we continue with our discussion of the First Battle of Manassas (July 21, 1861), looking at the fight for Henry Hill, and then we move over to the action at Chinn Ridge.

In which we continue with our discussion of the First Battle of Manassas (July 21, 1861), looking at the start of the pivotal fight for Henry Hill. Plus, we see how Stonewall Jackson got his famous nickname.

In which we continue with our discussion of the First Battle of Manassas (July 21, 1861), looking at how McDowell failed to maintain the initiative after he seized Matthews Hill, and as a result the Confederates had time to forge a defensive line on Henry Hill.

In which we cover the start of the First Battle of Manassas (July 21, 1861)- including the Federals' flanking march to Sudley Ford and the fight for Matthews Hill.

In which we cover the affair at Blackburn's Ford on July 18, 1861. Plus, we look at McDowell's decision to change his plan and attempt to turn the Confederate left flank. 

In which we look at the start of the campaign that culminates with the First Battle of Manassas on July 21, 1861.

In which we set the stage for the beginning of the campaign that culminates with the First Battle of Manassas on July 21, 1861.

In which we look at why Northern & Southern men signed up to fight at the beginning of the Civil War.

In which we look at the importance of horses & mules to Civil War armies. Plus, we talk about Robert E Lee's horse- Traveller.

In which we discuss the decision to declare runaway slaves "contraband of war," and then we look at the Battle of Big Bethel which took place on June 10, 1861.

In which we cover the third Civil War combat arm: the artillery.

In which we give some book and other recommendations for the 150th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln giving Gettysburg Address.

In which we look at another one of the three Civil War combat arms: the cavalry.

In which we conclude our discussion of Civil War infantry.

In which we discuss the principal shoulder arm used by Union & Confederate infantrymen during the Civil War: the rifle-musket.

In which we use several episodes to talk about the three combat arms of the Civil War- the infantry, cavalry, & artillery.

In which we start off with a short bio of George McClellan, and then get to the continuation of the action in northwest Virginia with the Battle of Rich Mountain (July 11, 1861).

In which we look at the clash between Union & Confederate forces at Fairfax Court House in northeast Virginia on June 1, 1861... and the Union surprise attack at Philippi in northwest Virginia on June 3. 

In which we look at the fate that befell Arlington, the mansion and estate that was the home of Robert E. Lee and his family before the start of the Civil War.

In which we discuss the Confederate and Union war aims & strategy at the beginning of the Civil War. Plus, we look at the Union's move in May 1861 to seize Alexandria, Virginia- just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C.

In which we use this episode to give a short biography of Robert E Lee's life, up to April 1861 when he resigned his commision in the U.S. Army and took command of Virginia's military forces.

In which we discuss the April 19, 1861 proclamation by which Abraham Lincoln declared a blockade of the Confederacy. And we also look at the Confederate seizure of the important Gosport navy yard a few days later.

In which we wrap up our discussion of the dark days in April 1861 when Washington, DC was cut off from the North and in danger from Confederate invasion. 

In which we relate the events in the dark days of April 1861, when Washington DC was cut off from the loyal states of the North.

In which we talk about Abraham Lincoln's April 15th call for 75,000 militia to suppress the rebellion, and the subsequent secession of Virginia, Arkansas, Tennessee, & North Carolina.

In which we discuss the bombardment of Sumter by the Confederate artillery batteries, and then the fort's evacuation by Major Robert Anderson & his men on April 14, 1861. Before the conclusion of the episode, we also tackle the questions: "What caused secession?" and "What caused the war?"

In which we discuss Lincoln's relief expedition to Fort Sumter, the Confederate government's decision to reduce the fort, and the opening shot of the bombardment on April 12, 1861. 

In which we continue our discussion of the escalating crisis over the possession of Fort Sumter.

In which we look at Abraham Lincoln's inaugural journey from Illinois to Washington, D.C. and then his inauguration as the sixteenth President of the United States on March 4, 1861. 

In which we continue our discussion of the events surrounding the growing crisis over the possession of Fort Sumter in Charleston harbor.

In which we discuss the dramatic events surrounding the growing crisis over the possession of Fort Sumter in Charleston harbor.

In which we look at how Abraham Lincoln used the time between his election victory and his inauguration as president to build his celebrated "team of rivals."

In which we head back north of the Mason-Dixon Line to see what was going on with Abraham Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois and with the powers-that-be in Washington, D.C. during the steady escalation of the secession crisis.

In which we continue the biographical sketch of Jefferson Davis's life in order to bring him up to speed with where we are on the podcast timeline, the year 1861. We end this episode by taking a look at the formation of the Confederate cabinet.

In which we use a special two-part biography of Jefferson Davis to bring his life up to speed with where we currently are on the podcast timeline, the year 1861.

In which we take a look at some of the major differences between North & South on the eve of the Civil War.

In which we discuss the birth of the Confederate States of America at Montgomery, Alabama in February 1861.

In which we continue our discussion by asking if the southern states had a right to secede, or if secession was rebellion. Then, we look at the message the secession commissioners spread throughout the South in late 1860/early 1861. Our book recommendation for this episode is "Apostles of Disunion" by Charles B. Dew.

In which we look at how seven southern states withdrew from the Union between Abraham Lincoln's election and his inauguration.  We answer the question: What was behind the secession of these states?

In which we discuss the reasons behind the collapse of the Democratic Party, the resulting four-way contest for the presidency, and Abraham Lincoln's victory on Election Day, November 6, 1860.

In which we take a look at the important February 1860 speech in New York City that helped catapult Abraham Lincoln to the White House.

In which we look at John Brown's assault on Harper's Ferry in October 1859.

In which we continue our coverage of the famous Lincoln-Douglas Debates in 1858.

In which we give the background to the famous Lincoln-Douglas Debates of 1858, and then we start in on the debates themselves.

In which we continue the biographical sketch of Abraham Lincoln's life in order to bring him up to speed with where we are on the podcast timeline, the year 1858.  In this episode we break the discussion up into three sections: Lincoln the Lawyer, Lincoln Gets Married, and Lincoln the Politician.

In which we use a special two-part biography of Abraham Lincoln to bring his life up to speed with where we currently are on the podcast timeline, the year 1858.

In which we take a look at the Dred Scott case and the fiasco over the Lecompton Constitution, and show how the snowballing negative consequences from those events finally caused the Democratic Party to, once & for all, split along sectional lines. A unified Republican Party will take advantage of that split & win the presidency in 1860.

In which we discuss the three-way presidential contest of 1856 and its importance to the rise of the Republican Party. Plus, we see Abraham Lincoln start to position himself to be a leading national figure in the party.

In which we look at the brutal caning of Senator Charles Sumner of Massachusetts by Congressman Preston Brooks of South Carolina in May, 1856.

In which we talk about Stephen Douglas's sponsorship of the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, the ensuing violence in "Bleeding Kansas," & the rise of the Republican Party as a direct result of Northern outrage over the Kansas-Nebraska Act.

In which we discuss the Northern reaction to the new Fugitive Slave Law that was part of the Compromise of 1850.  Plus, we look at the significant impact of Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin.

In which we take a fast pass through the abolitionist movement in the U.S., and show how it made a significant contribution to the sectional unraveling that led to the Civil War. 

In which we take a look at some pro-slavery arguments to see why Seward's "Higher Law" speech in March 1850 made Southerners so very very angry.

In which we look at the Presidential Election of 1848, the crisis over the admission of California as a free state, & how Henry Clay laid the groundwork for Stephen Douglas to sweep in and save the day with the Compromise of 1850.

In which we follow along as Winfield Scott marches on Mexico City & captures it in September 1847.  We continue spotlighting some of the American officers, almost all West Point graduates, who fight in Mexico and then go on to some measure of fame in the Civil War.

In which we continue our discussion of America's war with Mexico. We talk about the military action in California & New Mexico, then cover a battle in Congress over something called the Wilmot Proviso. Finally, we move back down to the Rio Grande, where Zachary Taylor captures Monterrey and then wins the hard-fought Battle of Buena Vista in February 1847.

In which we look at how tensions rose along the U.S.'s southern border, and then discuss how hostilities with Mexico commenced in April 1846.

In which we discuss the Tariff of Abominations, the Nullification Crisis of 1832/33, and we wonder who had the pre-Civil War era's most impressive head of hair: John C Calhoun or Andrew Jackson. Plus, Manifest Destiny beckons & we set the stage for the war with Mexico in 1846. 

In which we take a look at the crisis surrounding Missouri's admission into the Union as a slave state, and Henry Clay's pivotal role in brokering the ensuing compromise in 1820. 

In which we take a look back at American history to see how slavery, even from the colonial period, played a major role in shaping & defining the country's political landscape. 

In which we give an introduction to the podcast, share a bit about ourselves, & discuss why we think the Civil War is still deserving of attention & study today.