Tag Archives: fort donelson

Civil War Podcast, Episode 95

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

Civil War Podcast, Episode 94

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

Civil War Podcast, Episode 93

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

Civil War Podcast, Episode 92

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

Civil War Podcast, Episode 89

FORTS HENRY & DONELSON (Part the First)

Henry Wager Halleck (1815-1872)


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


Our book recommendation for this episode is Forts Henry and Donelson: The Key to the Confederate Heartland by Benjamin F. Cooling.



Listen to Episode 89: HenryDonelsonPartFirst