Category Archives: miscellaneous

Civil War Podcast, Episode 51

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

Civil War Podcast, Bonus Episode

HORSES & MULES

“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

Civil War Podcast, Episode 49

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

Gettysburg Address Book Recommendations



Listen to Episode: http://civilwarpodcast.libsyn.com/gettysburg-address-book-recommendations


* Lincoln at Gettysburg by Garry Wills







* The Gettysburg Gospel by Gabor Boritt







* Writing the Gettysburg Address by Martin P. Johnson






* Long Remembered: Lincoln and the Five Versions of the Gettysburg Address with commentary by Douglas L. Wilson

http://www.levenger.com/Long-Remembered

* The Gettysburg Address: A Graphic Adaptation… written by John Hennessey & art by Aaron McConnell





* The Gettysburg Story DVD produced & directed by Jake Boritt

Civil War Podcast, Episode 47


INFANTRY (Part the Third)

In which we conclude our discussion of Civil War infantry.

During the sesquicentennial reeanactments at Gettysburg this past summer, William H. Hincks portrays his great-great-grandfather, Medal of Honor recepient William Bliss Hincks, taking a Confederate flag from a color bearer (portrayed by Skip Koontz, of Sharpsburg, Maryland) during Pickett’s Charge.

 

Our book recommendation for this episode is Company Aytch, or a Side Show of the Big Show by Sam Watkins, a new edition annotated & edited by Philip Leigh.

~ “To the memory of my dead comrades of the Maury Grays and the First Tennessee Regiment, who died in defense of Southern homes and liberties: also to my living comrades, nearly all of whom shed their blood in defense of the same cause, this book is respectfully dedicated by the author.”


Listen to Episode 47: InfantryPartThird

Civil War Podcast, Episode 46

INFANTRY (Part the Second)

Percussion cap seated on a Civil War-era rifle musket.


Minie bullets (note hollow base)


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

Our book recommendation for this episode is The Rifle Musket in Civil War Combat: Reality and Myth by Earl J. Hess.

“Hess hits a bull’s-eye with this fresh, provocative look at the impact of the rifle musket on Civil War combat.  His persuasive challenge to many old assumptions about the revolutionary role of the rifle requires a broad re-evaluation of what we have long thought happened on the battlefields of 1861-65.” ~ Daniel Sutherland, author of Seasons of War: The Ordeal of a Confederate Community, 1861-1865


Listen to Episode 46: InfantryPartSecond