On Great Fields: Leaders of the American Civil War

39: Ulysses S. Grant - Part 7 Shiloh (3)

Fri, 26 Dec 2025 19:38:19 -0600

In this Episode, we learn more about Grant's early years before the war, and we complete the desperate fighting in the battle for Shiloh at Pittsburg Landing on the Tennessee River.

38: Ulysses S. Grant - Part 6 Shiloh (2)

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 14:25:53 -0500

We continue the story of the Shiloh battle on the banks of the Tennessee River on April 6th, 1862. Sherman and Grant form a partnership which will change the course of the war.

37: Ulysses S. Grant - Part 5 Shiloh (1)

Sun, 11 Feb 2024 10:37:28 -0600

In this episode, we begin the battle of Shiloh, which was a turning point in Grant's life and the lives of all Americans. Also, we begin a discussion of Grant's early life and experiences at the US Military Academy.

36: Ulysses S. Grant - Part 4 Fort Donelson (2)

Sun, 14 Jan 2024 11:17:59 -0600

We conclude the Fort Donelson battle in the episode, which represents the first major victory of the war for the Union army. Grant captured an entire Confederate army for the first time and came to be know as "Unconditional Surrender" Grant.

35: Ulysses S. Grant - Part 3 Fort Donelson (1)

Thu, 28 Dec 2023 15:15:13 -0600

In this episode we discuss the fallout from Fort Henry and Begin the Fort Donelson Battle.

34a: A Few Changes

Mon, 25 Dec 2023 09:47:00 -0600

This is an announcement of two upcoming changes to the podcast.

34: Ulysses S. Grant - Part 2 Fort Henry

Sat, 11 Nov 2023 09:27:18 -0600

In this episode, we discuss the aftermath of Belmont and the first big battle of his career, Fort Henry.

Before this, we cover Grant's relationship with his wife Julia as well as Henry Halleck. And we discuss a topic that plagued his time in the deep South, the illicit cotton trade and corruption in the war dept.

33: Ulysses S. Grant - Part 1 Belmont

Mon, 23 Oct 2023 19:15:58 -0500

In this episode, we begin our exploration into U. S. Grant's life starting when he assumed command of the 21st Illinois Regiment in June 1861. We will cover his early camp life experiences, his command at Cairo IL, and the capture of Paducah KY. We end with his first battle in Belmont, MO against Leonidas Polk and Gideon Pillow.

32: Stonewall Jackson - Part 10 Chancellorsville

Tue, 18 Jul 2023 13:58:26 -0500

In this final episode of the Stonewall Jackson series, we briefly cover the battles of Antietam and Fredericksburg. Then we spend most of our time on Jackson's and Lee's masterpiece at Chancellorsville. Stonewall Jackson's career ended the same way it began: With a rebel yell and a complete rout of the enemy.

31: Stonewall Jackson - Part 9 Second Manassas

Fri, 31 Mar 2023 22:05:42 -0500

This episode covers Jackson's taking of the Union supply depot at Manassas Junction and the Battle of Second Bull Run. Then we finish with the Battle of Chantilly. Some believe this was Jackson's masterpiece, others believe it was Chancellorsville. You be the judge.

30: Stonewall Jackson - Part 8 Seven Days

Fri, 17 Mar 2023 19:35:14 -0500

In this episode, we discuss Jackson's time at the WestPoint military academy. Then we resume where we left off after the valley campaign with Jackson joining Lee's forces to defend the confederate capital in the Seven Days Battles. After this, we find Jackson again being sent off to destroy Nathaniel Banks's federals at the Battle of Cedar Mountain, just before Second Manassas (aka Second Bull Run).

29: Stonewall Jackson - Part 7 Big Valley Finish

Thu, 09 Mar 2023 19:14:16 -0600

In this episode, we conclude Jackson's spectacular valley campaign. First, his army will somehow escape from the danger of a well-sprung trap set by President Lincoln, then he will proceed to defeat two much larger Union armies in detail. By the end of the campaign he is likely the most famous person in the world.

28: Stonewall Jackson - Part 6 Front Royal

Wed, 15 Feb 2023 21:24:07 -0600

Jackson continues his Valley Campaign with smashing victories over Union General Nathaniel Banks at Front Royal and Winchester. President Lincoln and all of Washington are terrified Jackson might invade the US capital.

27: Stonewall Jackson - Part 5 Early Years

Sat, 04 Feb 2023 12:35:37 -0600

In this episode we discuss Jackson's background and early life in Jackson's Mill Virginia. Also, we explore Jackson's loves and losses before the Civil War.

26: Stonewall Jackson - Part 4 McDowell

Sun, 25 Sep 2022 10:39:54 -0500

Jackson begins his Valley Campaign in earnest and his partnership with Robert E Lee also begins. Jackson fools the federals into thinking he has left the Valley for good and then attacks Fremont's vanguard force in the Battle of McDowell.

25: Stonewall Jackson - Part 3 Kernstown

Mon, 05 Sep 2022 18:10:43 -0500

In this episode we begin our discussion of Jackson's famous valley campaign. Jackson rewrites the rules of war during the Romney expedition, pushing his men to physical extremes none of them thought possible. Then Jackson shows his gall and audacity at Kernstown by attacking a much larger union force in a tactical defeat that turned into a strategic victory.

24: Stonewall Jackson - Part 2 VMI

Sun, 14 Aug 2022 20:14:20 -0500

In this episode we explore Jackson's pre-war life as professor of Science and Artillery at Virginia Military Institute. We also learn more about Jackson's idiosyncratic behavior and especially his insistence to never quit and never give up, ever. We also discuss a significant incident involving Jackson and his post commander during his time in the antebellum Army.

23: Stonewall Jackson - Part 1 First Manassas

Sat, 23 Jul 2022 18:12:30 -0500

In this episode we discuss Thomas J Jackson's entry into Richmond with his VMI cadets following Virginia succession. He had no commission and no command until he was finally made a Colonel and ordered to take command at Harpers Ferry. Soon he and his brigade got their first combat experience at Falling Waters. Then Jackson achieved fame and the legendary status at the first battle at Bull Run (aka First Manassas). Following this battle he would be known henceforth and forever as "Stonewall Jackson."

22: George H. Thomas - Part 7 Best General

Sat, 25 Jun 2022 18:23:35 -0500

In the episode we conclude our discussion of General Thomas. He oversaw the cavalry operations of the South and Southeast at the end of the war and his men captured Jefferson Davis. We also discuss his various roles and contributions after the war and his passing on March 28, 1970. Many of his contemporaries compared him to George Washington and Bruce Catton called him perhaps the best general of the war.

21: George H. Thomas - Part 6 Nashville

Sat, 18 Jun 2022 18:46:26 -0500

In this episode we discuss the Battle of Nashville, which has been called one of the two best battles ever fought by an army. Union General George H. Thomas waited until the time was right, and then annihilated John Bell Hood's Confederate Army of Tennessee on Dec 15 and 16 1864.

20: George H. Thomas - Part 5 Franklin

Mon, 13 Jun 2022 11:25:15 -0500

In this episode we discuss General Thomas's role in the Battle of Atlanta and the capture of the city. We also cover the Battles of Spring Hill and Franklin, and begin to discuss the Battle of Nashville, which will result in the most complete destruction of any army during the Civil War.

19: George H Thomas - Part 4 Atlanta

Sun, 29 May 2022 20:48:35 -0500

In this episode we discuss General Thomas's role in the Atlanta campaign. We begin by discussing the aftermath of the Chattanooga campaign and end with the Battle of Peachtree Creek just outside Atlanta. Thomas's Army of the Cumberland played a pivotal role, pushing J E Johnston's army from Dalton Georgia to Atlanta where Johnston was replaced by John B Hood.

18: George H Thomas - Part 3 Missionary Ridge

Mon, 25 Apr 2022 17:19:55 -0500

In this episode we conclude the Chickamauga battle and discuss the Chattanooga Campaign including the battles of Tunnel Hill, Missionary Ridge, and "The Battle Above the Clouds."

17: George H Thomas - Part 2 Chickamauga

Wed, 20 Apr 2022 16:32:23 -0500

In this 2nd episode of George Thomas' life, we complete the battle of Stones River. We also cover the Army of the Cumberland's masterful maneuvers around the Confederate army of Tennessee, flanking them out of Tullahoma and Chattanooga. This ends up in the massive and chaotic battle of Chickamauga, where George Thomas received the nickname, "Rock of Chickamauga."

16: George H. Thomas - Part 1 Mill Springs

Fri, 01 Apr 2022 16:26:01 -0500

In this episode we begin our discussion of General George Henry Thomas including the Battles of Mill Springs and Stones River. We also discuss his early years and the impact of Nat Turner's slave revolt on Thomas and his family.

15: James Longstreet - Part 6 Afterward

Fri, 11 Mar 2022 18:56:01 -0600

This is our last episode with James Longstreet in which we discuss Appomattox and his life as a civil servant, college administrator, US Marshall, railroad executive, insurance executive, foreign ambassador, hotelier, and vintner.

14: James Longstreet - Part 5 Wilderness

Sat, 05 Mar 2022 17:55:15 -0600

In this episode we discuss Longstreet's role during the battles of Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Knoxville, and the Wilderness.

Longstreet was grievously wounded in the Wilderness and didn't return to his corps until they were in the trenches around Richmond.

13: James Longstreet - Part 4 Fredericksburg

Tue, 01 Mar 2022 10:43:25 -0600

In this episode we explore Longstreet's role in the Maryland Campaign (Antietam battle) as well as Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville leading up to Gettysburg.

12: James Longstreet - Part 3 Manassas

Mon, 14 Feb 2022 15:18:10 -0600

This episode covers Longstreet's performance in the following battles in the Eastern theatre:

- First Manassas

- Seven Pines

- Seven Day's Campaign

- Second Manassas

His poor performance at Seven Pines was followed-up by excellent performances in the following battles leading up the climactic battle of Second Manassas. The failures of McClellan and Pope made Lee, Jackson, and Longstreet instant heros in the 1862 South.

11: James Longstreet - Part 2 Mexico

Thu, 03 Feb 2022 15:12:03 -0600

In this episode we discuss James Longstreet's early life growing up in Georgia. We also discuss West Point and his experiences in the antebellum army on the frontier and in the Mexican War.

10: James Longstreet - Part 1 Gettysburg

Sat, 29 Jan 2022 18:48:38 -0600

In this episode we discuss James Longstreet who was born in South Carolina but considered Georgia home. We will discuss his roles in the battles of Chickamauga and Gettysburg, each of which had very different outcomes.

We also introduce the "loss cause" mythology and how Longstreet became public enemy #1 to its advocates.

9: George Armstrong Custer - Part 4 Last Stand

Sun, 16 Jan 2022 17:16:12 -0600

In this episode we finally cover Custer's Last Stand in the Montana Territory on June 25 1876.

8: George Armstrong Custer - Part 3 On the Plains

Sat, 15 Jan 2022 10:58:53 -0600

In this episode we track Custer from the end of the Civil War right up to the Battle of Little Bighorn. Custer was first involved in the reconstruction effort in Texas, then began his life on the Plains, which took him to his destiny in Southeast Montana.

7: George Armstrong Custer - Part 2 Youngest General

Tue, 28 Dec 2021 11:50:35 -0600

In this episode we discuss Custer's rise to fame as Brigadier General of the famous Michigan Wolverine Cavalry. His brigade played important roles in Gettysburg, Yellow Tavern, Trevilian Station, 3rd Winchester, Cedar Creek and Appomattox.

6: George Armstrong Custer - Part 1 Wolverine

Thu, 23 Dec 2021 09:37:29 -0600

George Armstrong Custer was one of the most colorful and interesting characters of the American Civil War. In part one we'll explore his early life and exploits as he rose quickly to the rank of Brigadier Gen'l in the Union Army at the age of 23.

He was born in Ohio but considered himself a Michigan Wolverine his entire life.

5: E Porter Alexander

Sat, 04 Dec 2021 00:48:43 -0600

E P Alexander was the confederates leading artillerist. He was also an accomplished author, teacher at the University of South Carolina, railroad executive and devoted husband and father.

He was beloved by his fellow officers/soldiers and his posthumously published memoirs are among the most appreciated depictions of the civil war that exist, comparable in fact to those of U S Grant.

His honest examination of the Confederate cause after the war made him a singular historical personality and endeared him to the nation.

4: Dr. Richard Owen

Fri, 12 Nov 2021 16:14:02 -0600

Dr. Richard Owen was an educator, geologist, University President and accomplished officer in the Union Army. He was a respected POW camp commander and a POW himself later in the war.

He was so well appreciated by his former Confederate prisoners they commissioned a bust in his honor to be placed in the Indiana capital after the war.

He was the first president of Purdue University and enjoyed a long life of academic pursuits after the war.

3: Patrick Cleburne

Fri, 29 Oct 2021 16:21:19 -0500

This episode follows the life of General Pat Cleburne from the Ireland to New Orleans to Arkansas and fame in the Confederate Army. He was the most beloved general in the western theater of the civil war and many called him "the stonewall of the west".

2: Oliver Otis Howard

Tue, 19 Oct 2021 18:06:47 -0500

This episode discusses General Oliver Otis Howard and his experiences in the Civil War as well as the Freedman's Bureau, Howard University and the Indian Wars.

His life reflected the victories and tragedies of the American experience during the war and reconstruction.

He was a New England Abolitionist from Maine whose firm belief in equality provided a permanent imprint for good in the country.

1: Stephen D Lee

Sat, 09 Oct 2021 21:07:00 -0500

In this first Episode we discuss Stephen D Lee and his role in the confederate army as well as his contribution to higher education and history.

He was born and raised in South Carolina and present for the beginning and end of the civil war. After the war he settled in Mississippi and served as a state representative and university president.

He also played a key role in developing and curating Vicksburg Military National Park.