Tag Archives: virginia

Civil War Podcast, Episode 56

FIRST MANASSAS (Part the Fifth)

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.

Our book recommendation for this episode is a back issue of Blue & Gray magazine. Blue & Gray, Volume 27 #5 was dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the First Battle of Manassas.

Listen to Episode 56: FirstManassasPartFifth

Civil War Podcast, Episode 55

FIRST MANASSAS (Part the Fourth)

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.

Our book recommendation for this episode is The First Battle of Manassas: An End to Innocence July 18-21, 1861 by John Hennessy.

Listen to Episode 55: FirstManassasPartFourth

Civil War Podcast, Episode 54

FIRST MANASSAS (Part the Third)

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.

Our book recommendation for this episode is A Single Grand Victory: The First Campaign and Battle of Manassas by Ethan S. Rafuse.

“Well written, judicious, and unfailingly interesting, A Single Grand Victory combines capable battle narrative with a firm grasp of the larger political context. Highly recommended.” ~ Mark Grimsley

Listen to Episode 54: FirstManassasPartThird

Civil War Podcast, Episode 53

FIRST MANASSAS (Part the Second)

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

Our book recommendation for this episode is Donnybrook: The Battle of Bull Run, 1861 by David Detzer.

“David Detzer is making a distinguished reputation in Civil War history writing about great openings. In Donnybrook, he gives us a marvelous account of the first great battle of the war, at Bull Run. Like his first, this second book is comprehensive, thorough, deeply researched, rich in detail, and highly readable. It is a fine account of a major passage in that great war.” ~ John C. Waugh, author of Reelecting Lincoln

Listen to Episode 53: FirstManassasPartSecond

Civil War Podcast, Episode 52

FIRST MANASSAS (Part the First)

In which we set the stage for the beginning of the campaign that leads to the First Battle of Manassas on July 21, 1863.

Our book recommendation for this episode is The Maps of First Bull Run: An Atlas of the First Bull Run (Manassas) Campaign, including the Battle of Ball’s Bluff, June-October 1861 by Bradley M. Gottfried.

Listen to Episode 52: FirstManassasPartFirst

Civil War Podcast, Episode 50

CONTRABANDS / BIG BETHEL

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.

Our book recommendation for this episode is The Fiery Trial: Abraham Lincoln and American Slavery by Eric Foner.

“While many thousands of books deal with Lincoln and slavery, Eric Foner has written the definitive account of this crucial subject, illuminating in a highly original and profound way the interactions of race, slavery, public opinion, politics, and Lincoln’s own character that led to the wholly improbable uncompensated emancipation of some four million slaves. Even seasoned historians will acquire fresh and new perspectives from reading The Fiery Trial.” ~ David Brion Davis

Big Bethel: The First Battle by John V. Quarstein

Battle of Big Bethel: Crucial Clash in Early Civil War Virginia by J. Michael Cobb, Edward B. Hicks, and Wythe Holt

Listen to Episode 50: ContrabandsBigBethel

Civil War Podcast, Episode 44

RICH MOUNTAIN

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, 1863).

Our book recommendation for this episode is actually two magazine back issues:

* Volume 7 #7 (November 2004) of North & South magazine has an article by Albert Castel titled “West Virginia 1861: A Tale of a Goose, a Dog, and a Fox.”

* Volume 10 #6 (August 1993) of Blue & Gray magazine is mostly devoted to the fighting in western Virginia in 1861.

Listen to Episode 44: RichMountain

Civil War Podcast, Episode 43

FAIRFAX COURT HOUSE / THE PHILIPPI RACES

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.

Our book recommendation this time is An American Iliad: The Story of the Civil War by Charles P. Roland.

“An extraordinary synthesis by one of the most respected historians in the field.” ~ James I. Robertson, Jr author of Stonewall Jackson: The Man, The Soldier, The Legend

Listen to Episode 43: FairfaxPhilippi

Civil War Podcast, Episode 42

THE FATE OF ARLINGTON

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

Our book recommendation this time is The Last Battle of the Civil War: United States Versus Lee, 1861-1883 by Anthony J. Gaughan.

“Seventeen years after Robert E. Lee’s surrender at Appomattox, the Supreme Court was the scene of one final, dramatic confrontation between the Lee family and the United States government. In The Last Battle of the Civil War, Anthony J. Gaughan recounts the fascinating saga of United States v. Lee, known to history as the ‘Arlington Case.'”

Listen to Episode 42: FateArlington

Civil War Podcast, Episode 41

THE PURSUIT OF VICTORY

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.

Our book recommendation for this episode is The Grand Design: Strategy and the U.S. Civil War by Donald Stoker.

“Donald Stoker’s book offers a new way of looking at both the military and political history of the Civil War, and does so from a strategic vantage point far above that to which we have been accustomed. The Grand Design represents an important advance in our understanding of this momentous event.” ~ Steven E. Woodworth

Listen to Episode 41: PursuitOfVictory