THANKSGIVING DAY’S CIVIL WAR ORIGINS
In which we look at the Civil War origins of Thanksgiving Day, and share a few things for which we’re thankful.
Our book recommendation this time is #giveabook.
Listen to the bonus episode: http://civilwarpodcast.libsyn.com/bonus-episode-thanksgiving-days-civil-war-origins
SIBLEY’S NEW MEXICO CAMPAIGN (Part the Third)
 |
| John Potts Slough (1829-1867) |
 |
| Gabriel Rene Paul (1813-1886) |
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).
Our book recommendations for this episode are
The Battle of Glorieta: Union Victory in the West by Don E. Alberts.
Blue & Gray magazine, June 1994
Listen to Episode 98: NewMexicoPartThird
SIBLEY’S NEW MEXICO CAMPAIGN (Part the Second)
 |
| Henry Hopkins Sibley (1816-1886) |
In which we continue our look at Sibley’s New Mexico Campaign by discussing the Battle of Valverde (February 21, 1862).
 |
| Edward Richard Sprigg Canby (1817-1873) |
 |
| Christopher Houston “Kit” Carson (1809-1868) |
Our book recommendation for this episode is Bloody Valverde: A Civil War Battle on the Rio Grande, February 21, 1862 by John Taylor.
America’s Civil War Magazine, January 2013
Listen to Episode 97: NewMexicoPartSecond
SIBLEY’S NEW MEXICO CAMPAIGN (Part the First)
 |
| David Emmanuel Twiggs (1790-1862) |
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).
 |
| John Robert Baylor (1822-1894) |
Our book recommendation for this episode is The Civil War in the American West by Alvin M. Josephy, Jr.
“Marvelous, original… that great, adventurous, little-known side of the Civil War is all here for the first time: the clash of North and South set in the immense space of the West and peopled with some of the most vivid characters of that vivid time.” ~ David McCullough
Listen to Episode 96: NewMexicoPartFirst
We’re going to wait another day before recording Episode #96. One of us (who shall remain nameless) got sick this past week and lost her voice, but she’s on the mend and, given one more day, thinks she’ll be good to go to record the podcast.
POSTSCRIPT: FORREST’S BREAKOUT
 |
| Nathan Bedford Forrest (1821-1877) |
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.
Our book recommendation for this episode is A Battle from the Start: The Life of Nathan Bedford Forrest by Brian Steel Wills.
“A Battle from the Start is direct, fast-paced, and totally absorbing. Nathan Bedford Forrest comes vibrantly alive- not, perhaps, as a man to be loved, but certainly as one who merits the closest consideration. He is shown to be one of the Civil War’s ablest, most aggressive, and most interesting commanders.” ~ Richard Wheeler, author of On Fields of Fury
Listen to Episode 95: PostscriptForrestsBreakout
FORTS HENRY & DONELSON (Part the Sixth)
 |
| Simon Bolivar Buckner (1823-1914) |
In which we conclude our discussion of the Battle of Fort Donelson (February 13-16, 1862).
 |
| C.F. Smith leading his division as it assaults the Confederate lines at Fort Donelson on February 15, 1862. |
Our book recommendation for this episode is The Civil War in the West: Victory and Defeat from the Applachians to the Mississippi by Earl J. Hess.
“A thorough account and compelling analysis of the challenges those in charge of the Union war effort faced in the West and how they overcame them. Impressively researched and informative, this is an outstanding addition to the Littlefield History of the Civil War Era.” ~ Ethan S. Rafuse
Listen to Episode 94: HenryDonelsonPartSixth
FORTS HENRY & DONELSON (Part the Fifth)
In which we continue our discussion of the Battle of Fort Donelson (February 13-16, 1862).
 |
| Confederate gun battery overlooking the Cumberland River. |
 |
| Andrew Hull Foote (1806-1863) |
Our book recommendations for this episode are:
Blue & Gray magazine, Volume 28 #4
North & South magazine, Volume 7 #2 (March 2004)
Listen to Episode #93: HenryDonelsonPartFifth
FORTS HENRY & DONELSON (Part the Fourth)
 |
| John Buchanan Floyd (1806-1863) |
 |
| Gideon Johnson Pillow (1806-1878) |
In which we look at the opening stages of the Battle of Fort Donelson (February 13-16, 1862).
Our book recommendation for this episode is Struggle for the Heartland: The Campaigns from Fort Henry to Corinth by Stephen D. Engle.
“A great addition to the University of Nebraska Press’s Great Campaigns of the Civil War. It is a fine example of the growing trend to incorporate economic, political, and social studies into military history.” ~ North & South magazine
Listen to Episode #92: HenryDonelsonPartFourth
FORTS HENRY & DONELSON (Part the Third)
In which we look at the Federal timberclads’ dramatic raid up the Tennessee River, and Confederate General Albert Sidney Johnston’s controversial decision to reinforce- but not to fully commit to the defense of- Fort Donelson.
Our book recommendation for this episode is The Battle of Fort Donelson: No Terms but Unconditional Surrender by James R. Knight.
Listen to Episode 91: HenryDonelsonPartThird