FIRST MANASSAS (Part the Fourth)
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| Nathan George Evans (1824-1868) |
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
FIRST MANASSAS (Part the Third)
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| James Longstreet (1821-1904) |
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
FIRST MANASSAS (Part the Second)
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| Joseph Eggleston Johnston (1807-1891) |
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
FIRST MANASSAS (Part the First)
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| Irvin McDowell (1818-1885) |
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
GONE FOR A SOLDIER
In which we look at why Northern & Southern men signed up to fight at the beginning of the Civil War.
Our book recommendations for this episode are…
* For Cause & Comrades: Why Men Fought in the Civil War by James M. McPherson.
“For Cause and Comrades adds to Professor James McPherson’s luster as one of our foremost Civil War historians… He takes issue with other scholars who downplay or dismiss the ideological commitments of Civil War soldiers, and argues persuasively that courage, honor, love of liberty and country had powerful meanings in North and South.” ~ William J. Cooper, Jr.
* The Union War by Gary W. Gallagher
“Gallagher recaptures the meaning of Union to the generation that fought for it. He rescues the ‘Cause’ for which they fought from modern historians who maintain that the abolition of slavery was the only achievement of the Civil War that justified all that death and destruction… He makes this point with force and clarity.” ~ James McPherson
* The Confederate War by Gary W. Gallagher
“Starting with meticulous research and proceeding with careful analysis, Gallagher presents a convincing argument that Confederate fortunes collapsed primarily from military defeats rather than from an internal loss of will. This is a must read for anyone seeking a basic explanation of the causes and outcome of the Civil War.” ~ James I. Robertson, Jr.
Listen to Episode 51: GoneForAsoldier
HORSES & MULES
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| “Dead Horse of Confederate Colonel; both killed at Battle of Antietam” by Alexander Gardner. |
In which we look at the importance of horses & mules to Civil War armies. Plus, we talk about Robert E. Lee’s horse- Traveller.
Our book recommendation for this episode is This Great Struggle: America’s Civil War by Steven E. Woodworth.
“Woodworth displays his vast knowledge of Civil War military history in this sprightly march through the run-up to the war, the fighting, and the war’s immediate aftermath. He provide an… excellent account for anyone wanting to know how the war was fought. Recommended for Civil War buffs and as a course text.” ~ Library Journal
Listen to Bonus Episode: http://civilwarpodcast.libsyn.com/bonus-episode-horses-mules
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
ARTILLERY
In which we cover the third Civil War combat arm: the artillery.
Our book recommendation for this episode is Civil War Artillery at Gettysburg: Organization, Equipment, Ammunition, and Operations by Philip M. Cole
“No other book on Civil War artillery… is as detailed… as this book is generally… The author’s broad approach to the whole subject of artillery tactics shine when he compares and contrasts several artillery incidents at Gettysburg that better explain what was on going on at the time… This book is essential for all those interested in Civil War artillery, 19th century artillery, or just the battle of Gettysburg.” ~ Peter A. Frandsen, The Artilleryman
Listen to Episode 49: Artillery