Portraits of Blue & Grey makes its triumphant return with a look at the New Mexico Campaign's good intentions, bad logistics, and ugly results. While we're at it, we'll explore civil war in Ol' Mexico, Napoleon III's imperialist opportunism, and figure out how a Habsburg archduke briefly became Emperor of Mexico. "General Sibley. He looks dead." I definitely should have re-watched the movie before recording the episode. If you have questions or comments about the show, you can reach us at blueandgreypodcast@gmail.com. Thanks for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In this episode, we start with what was supposed to be a short discussion of the James Gang--particularly their involvement in the Missouri guerilla fighting. Then, we look at one of the most unusual happenings of the Civil War: the Confederate raid on the sleepy town of St. Albans, Vermont. As Civil War raids go, though, the St. Albans Raid stands out. And not so much because of the setting but because the purpose of the raid was good, ol' fashioned bank robbery. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
By early 1864, POW populations in Civil War prison camps had exploded, and conditions in the camps were abysmal. In an attempt to liberate captured Union soldiers held at nearby Belle Isle prison, Gen. Judson Kilpatrick and Col. Ulric Dahlgren plan a daring raid on Richmond. When the raid doesn't go as planned, suspected ulterior objectives lead to the Dahlgren Affair -- one of the most enduring controversies of the Civil War. Historians still debate whether the Dahlgren Affair was a sinister, under-handed plot or a U.S. Civil War version of a false-flag operation. The truth remains a mystery, but we'll do our best to get to the bottom of it in this episode of Portraits of Blue & Grey. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Part B takes us through the end of the short life of rebel cavalier Jeb Stuart. Then, Chambersburg meets its unfortunate fate, courtesy of Jubal Early. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
For the most part, towns north of the Mason-Dixon line sustained a lot less damage during the Civil War than their counterparts down South. Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, though, may be the single most glaring exception. Jeb Stuart paid a visit in 1862 and was a fairly polite guest, as military occupiers go--even taking the time to sign the guestbook at the small town's most high-brow hotel. But when Jubal Early's men came calling two years later, the stay was much less cordial. In Part A of Raiders of the Lost Cause, we get acquainted with James Ewell Brown ("JEB") Stuart--one of the war's most colorful figures. Then, we follow Stuart through his 1862 Chambersburg visit. In Part B (coming soon!), we'll take a look at the experience of poor Chambersburg, PA, for the remainder of the way. The next few episodes will focus on famous, interesting, and entertaining raids of the Civil War. Look for future shows on (in no particular order) Grierson's Raid, the Dahlgren Affair, the St. Albans ...
Part 4 of our series on Nathan Bedford Forrest picks back up with Forrest continuing to frustrate William T. Sherman and the series of Union cavaliers dispatched to neutralize him. As Union might becomes overwhelming, Confederate armies are forced to surrender, and the danger of Forrest assuming the role of guerilla leader looms large. Instead, he tries to quietly slip back into the life of a planter and businessman. Along the way, Forrest dips his toes into post-war politics and becomes the first "Grand Wizard" of the Ku Klux Klan. You can reach Portraits of Blue & Grey at blueandgreypodcast@gmail.com with questions or comments about the show. Thanks for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
"His eyes, usually mild in their expression, were blazing with the intense glare of a panther’s springing upon its prey....So fierce did his passion become that he was almost equally dangerous to friend or foe.." --Major David Kelly, C.S.A. Part 3 recounts two confrontations with fellow Confederates. First, the killing of Lt. Andrew Gould by his commanding officer, Nathan Bedford Forrest. Though probably self-defense, the incident underscores the centrality of violence in the life of the famed cavalry general. Chickamauga follows, and then Forrest lets Braxton Bragg know how he really feels about him. The episode concludes with the infamous 'Massacre at Ft. Pillow.' In between, we take a look at Okolona, one of Forrest's most impressive victories. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In Spring, 1862, Nathan Bedford Forrest's military acumen began to reveal itself, as he became a thorn in the side of Union operations in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama. Part 2 includes Forrest's impressive display of physical courage at Fallen Timbers, a chaotic escape at Parker's Crossroads, and a story of equine heroism at Thompson's Station--before concluding with an in-depth look at the April, 1863, Union mule raid led by Col. Abel Streight and opposed by Forrest's Confederate cavalry. If you have questions or comments about the show, you can reach us at blueandgreypodcast@gmail.com. Thanks for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nathan Bedford Forrest was perhaps the most despised, though begrudgingly respected, Confederate military leader. After growing up poor on the frontier, Forrest ascended the ranks of Southern society and had amassed considerable wealth by the time the Civil War began in 1861. Although he was involved in numerous business ventures, the bulk of his fortune was derived from the slave trade. When the war began, Forrest's value to the Southern cause was immediately apparent--initially as a recruiter and then as a battlefield commander. In Part 1, we examine Forrest's early life, business ventures, and introduction to military life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sherman's famous March to the Sea is one of the most well-known and noteworthy campaigns of the U.S. Civil War and probably contributed more than anything else to the hatred of Sherman that flourished in the South for 100 years after the war. After capturing Savannah, Sherman turned north, headed for Columbia, SC. Where Savannah survived occupation relatively unscathed, Columbia would not be so lucky. By the time Sherman reunited with Grant, the war was all but over, with only some relatively light mop-up duty left on the agenda. Sherman played little to no role in Reconstruction, instead moving out west to focus on the Transcontinental Railroad and Indian Wars while in his new position as General of the Army. If you'd like to reach out to the show, email us at blueandgreypodcast@gmail.com. Thanks as always for listening, and I hope you enjoy Part 4 of our Portrait of William Tecumseh Sherman. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices