Threads From The National Tapestry: Stories From The American Civil War

About this episode: In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Act 5, Scene 5, the title character states that, “Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player, that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more.” That line resonates well with many during the opening months of the American Civil War. With war as their stage, many believed the struggle provided opportunity for personal acclaim and glory. Some were successful. Some were not—there at the beginning but not the end. And when politics, poor performances and toxic personalities reduced some to historical footnotes, there were some who had been waiting in the wings, took center stage and found lasting fame. For those who sought or were cast into roles as this nation was plunged into civil war, this is their story. A story—full of sound and fury—of those who were Early Players for the Union and Confederacy. ----more---- Some Characters Mentioned In This Episode: Simon Cameron Irvin McDowell Robert Patterson John C. Frémont Henry Halleck Leroy Pope Walker Subscribe to the Threads from the National Tapestry YouTube Channel here Thank you to our sponsor, Celebrity Word Scramble. In collaboration with Fred Kiger, they have published a Civil War edition of the Celebrity Word Scramble series. Included in the book is 16 pages of Civil War facts, stories, and insights written by Fred Kiger. Get your copy of the book here Thank you to our sponsor, The Badge Maker - proudly carrying affordable Civil War Corps Badges and other hand-made historical reproductions for reenactors, living history interpreters, and lovers of history. Check out The Badge Maker and place your orders here Thank you to our sponsor Bob Graesser, Raleigh Civil War Round Table's editor of The Knapsack newsletter and the Round Table's webmaster at http://www.raleighcwrt.org Thank you to our sponsor John Bailey. Producer: Dan Irving

About this episode: In March of 1864, Ulysses S. Grant was promoted to military heights only attained by one other - George Washington. On the 2nd day of that month, the US Senate confirmed Grant’s promotion to Lieutenant General. On the 9th, President Abraham Lincoln officially commissioned him and the next day he was given official authority to take command of the Armies of the United States. Though in overall command of the mighty U.S. military machine, he had to have lieutenants who would execute his strategies. This episode is about five of them - one glorified Chief of Staff and four who served in the field. This is the story of five who administratively and militarily landed the blows that their commanding officer called for. These - biographical sketches of men who, by their deeds, assured Grant’s position in the pantheon of this country’s greatest warriors. This is the story of Grant’s Lieutenants. ----more---- Some Characters Mentioned In This Episode: Henry Halleck Philip Sheridan George Henry Thomas George Gordon Meade William T. Sherman Subscribe to the Threads from the National Tapestry YouTube Channel here Thank you to our sponsor, Celebrity Word Scramble. In collaboration with Fred Kiger, they have published a Civil War edition of the Celebrity Word Scramble series. Included in the book is 16 pages of Civil War facts, stories, and insights written by Fred Kiger. Get your copy of the book here Thank you to our sponsor, The Badge Maker - proudly carrying affordable Civil War Corps Badges and other hand-made historical reproductions for reenactors, living history interpreters, and lovers of history. Check out The Badge Maker and place your orders here Thank you to our sponsor Bob Graesser, Raleigh Civil War Round Table's editor of The Knapsack newsletter and the Round Table's webmaster at http://www.raleighcwrt.org Thank you to our sponsor John Bailey. Producer: Dan Irving

About this episode: We begin a two part presentation that tells the story of a man who never truly sought fame and never wanted to be controversial, and yet his destiny casts such a long shadow that to this day, he may well be one of the most noted generals in American military history, and to more than a few, lurks as one who was and continues to be deemed a traitor. He began his military career at 18 years of age, when he entered West Point in 1825. We pick up his life when, after surrendering the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, he ceased to be a soldier and began his role as civilian and as an educator. Now, at 58, we seek to humanize the so-called marble man. This is the story of the final five and one half years of his life. This is part one of After The Bugles Faded: The Last Years of Robert E. Lee. ----more---- Some Characters Mentioned In This Episode: Jefferson Davis George Washington Custis Lee Mathew Brady John W. Brockenbrough John Letcher William Lloyd Garrison For Further Reading: The Last Years of Robert E. Lee: From Gettysburg to Lexington by Douglas Savage Lee: The Last Years by Charles Bracelen Flood Subscribe to the Threads from the National Tapestry YouTube Channel here Thank you to our sponsor, Celebrity Word Scramble. In collaboration with Fred Kiger, they have published a Civil War edition of the Celebrity Word Scramble series. Included in the book is 16 pages of Civil War facts, stories, and insights written by Fred Kiger. Get your copy of the book here Thank you to our sponsor, The Badge Maker - proudly carrying affordable Civil War Corps Badges and other hand-made historical reproductions for reenactors, living history interpreters, and lovers of history. Check out The Badge Maker and place your orders here Thank you to our sponsor Bob Graesser, Raleigh Civil War Round Table's editor of The Knapsack newsletter and the Round Table's webmaster at http://www.raleighcwrt.org Thank you to our sponsor John Bailey. Producer: Dan Irving

About this episode: In the aftermath of the great and bloody battle of Shiloh, we pick up with the life and career of William Tecumseh Sherman. His personal journey continues to be one that spans the vast spectrum that comprises life itself - ups and downs, triumphs and defeats. In this episode, we speak of his command of the Union’s Western Theater and its campaigns, his post-war rise to General-in-Chief and, after retirement, his time as citizen. Through all, he was larger than life and no stranger to complexity and controversy. Now, in Part II, we continue the deeply-layered story that is William Tecumseh Sherman. ----more---- Some Characters Mentioned In This Episode: Edwin Stanton Ulysses S. Grant Henry Halleck Joseph E. Johnston Jefferson Davis For Further Reading Citizen Sherman: A Life of William Tecumseh Sherman by Michael Fellman Sherman: Merchant of Terror, Advocate of Peace by Charles Edmund Vetter William Tecumseh Sherman: In the Service of My Country: A Life by James Lee McDonough Subscribe to the Threads from the National Tapestry YouTube Channel here Thank you to our sponsor, Celebrity Word Scramble. In collaboration with Fred Kiger, they have published a Civil War edition of the Celebrity Word Scramble series. Included in the book is 16 pages of Civil War facts, stories, and insights written by Fred Kiger. Get your copy of the book here Thank you to our sponsor, The Badge Maker - proudly carrying affordable Civil War Corps Badges and other hand-made historical reproductions for reenactors, living history interpreters, and lovers of history. Check out The Badge Maker and place your orders here Thank you to our sponsor Bob Graesser, Raleigh Civil War Round Table's editor of The Knapsack newsletter and the Round Table's webmaster at http://www.raleighcwrt.org Thank you to our sponsor John Bailey. Producer: Dan Irving

About this episode: The year was 1859 and future Confederate Secretary of the Navy, Florida Senator Stephen R. Mallory, trumpeted, “It is no more for this country to pause in its career than for the free and untrammeled eagle to cease its soar.” He had every reason to be optimistic, for the decade of the 1850s had brought the United States of America exceptional growth and prosperity. And, with enormous resources, there was much to look forward to: vast unoccupied lands, a network of navigable rivers, untapped riches in timber, iron, coal, copper and California gold. It is also true that in that same decade political tension had escalated but in the cold light of economics, the two sections were interdependent - perhaps inseparable. Yet there were unsettling factors at work: geography, population and its make-up, internal improvements, technology, religion, education, reform, politics and, yes, slavery and the question of its expansion. Taken as a whole, the United States in 1860, was in fact, two worlds. On the heels of our tour of the American South in 1860, we now look at that world that comprised the so-called Free States - the North. ----more---- Some Characters Mentioned In This Episode: Harriet Beecher Stowe Roger Taney John Rock William H. Seward Salmon Chase Subscribe to the Threads from the National Tapestry YouTube Channel here Thank you to our sponsor, Celebrity Word Scramble. In collaboration with Fred Kiger, they have published a Civil War edition of the Celebrity Word Scramble series. Included in the book is 16 pages of Civil War facts, stories, and insights written by Fred Kiger. Get your copy of the book here Thank you to our sponsor, The Badge Maker - proudly carrying affordable Civil War Corps Badges and other hand-made historical reproductions for reenactors, living history interpreters, and lovers of history. Check out The Badge Maker and place your orders here Thank you to our sponsor Bob Graesser, Raleigh Civil War Round Table's editor of The Knapsack newsletter and the Round Table's webmaster at http://www.raleighcwrt.org Thank you to our sponsor John Bailey. Producer: Dan Irving

About this episode: From June 18, 1864 until April 2, 1865, the Union Armies of the James and Potomac laid siege to Petersburg, Virginia - the all-important supply and communication center for Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia and Richmond itself. After 45 days of constant bloodletting in the Overland Campaign, the contesting forces began what would mirror warfare five decades later - miles and miles of trenches, denuded landmarks and death not so much by rifled muskets and artillery but disease. This is the story of the Confederacy’s long, slow descent into darkness. This the story of the siege of Petersburg. ----more---- Some Characters Mentioned In This Episode: George Gordon Meade Wade Hampton III Benjamin Butler Philip Sheridan John B. Gordon Gouverneur Warren Additional Resources: First Battle Of Deep Bottom - July 27-29, 1864 Siege Of Petersburg - Actions August 18-19, 1864 Siege Of Petersburg - Actions October 27, 1864 Siege Of Petersburg - Actions March 29-31, 1865 Siege Of Petersburg - Actions April 2, 1865 Subscribe to the Threads from the National Tapestry YouTube Channel here Thank you to our sponsor, The Badge Maker - proudly carrying affordable Civil War Corps Badges and other hand-made historical reproductions for reenactors, living history interpreters, and lovers of history. Check out The Badge Maker and place your orders here Thank you to our sponsor Bob Graesser, Raleigh Civil War Round Table's editor of The Knapsack newsletter and the Round Table's webmaster at http://www.raleighcwrt.org Thank you to our sponsor John Bailey. Producer: Dan Irving

About this episode: Revolution and civil war require explosive issues and impassioned men more than willing to make change and, if necessary, to do so violently. This is the story of two such Southern men. This is the story of fire eaters Louis T. Wigfall and Edmund Ruffin. ----more---- Some Characters Mentioned In This Episode: Nathaniel Macon Roger A. Pryor John Brown Sam Houston P. G. T. Beauregard James H. Hammond Subscribe to the Threads from the National Tapestry YouTube Channel here Thank you to our sponsor, The Badge Maker - proudly carrying affordable Civil War Corps Badges and other hand-made historical reproductions for reenactors, living history interpreters, and lovers of history. Check out The Badge Maker and place your orders here Thank you to our sponsor Bob Graesser, Raleigh Civil War Round Table's editor of The Knapsack newsletter and the Round Table's webmaster at http://www.raleighcwrt.org Thank you to our sponsor John Bailey. Producer: Dan Irving

About this episode: Some six years ago, we chronicled the Confederacy’s Gibraltar that allowed Wilmington, NC to be the last major Confederate port open to the outside world. 72 episodes later and in the 160th year of its capture, we, again, turn our attention to the massive earthen fort and those that took part in the campaign to either storm or defend the Confederate Goliath. This is the expanded story of the fort whose fall in January of 1865 hastened, in many respects, Lee’s retreat from Petersburg, Virginia and, subsequently, the surrender of his army at Appomattox. This is Fort Fisher Revisited. ----more---- Some Characters Mentioned In This Episode: Rose O'Neal Greenhow William Lamb William Henry Chase Whiting Braxton Bragg Gideon Welles David Dixon Porter For Further Reading: The Wilmington Campaign: Last Rays Of Departing Hope by Chris E. Fonvielle, Jr. Confederate Goliath: The Battle Of Fort Fisher by Rod Gragg Subscribe to the Threads from the National Tapestry YouTube Channel here Thank you to our sponsor, The Badge Maker - proudly carrying affordable Civil War Corps Badges and other hand-made historical reproductions for reenactors, living history interpreters, and lovers of history. Check out The Badge Maker and place your orders here Thank you to our sponsor Bob Graesser, Raleigh Civil War Round Table's editor of The Knapsack newsletter and the Round Table's webmaster at http://www.raleighcwrt.org Producer: Dan Irving

About this episode: Its mission and those who willingly took part in it dared to defy the highest law in the land. And in their desire to do what was right, they wrote, spoke and acted out against a hateful institution that remains to this day, a cross this country must bear. This is the story of brave crusaders who risked much and an organization that sought to right a moral evil. This is the story of the Underground Railroad. ----more---- Some Characters Mentioned In This Episode: Elijah Lovejoy Charles Nalle Harriet Tubman William Lloyd Garrison Frederick Douglass Henry Box Brown Subscribe to the Threads from the National Tapestry YouTube Channel here Thank you to our sponsor, The Badge Maker - proudly carrying affordable Civil War Corps Badges and other hand-made historical reproductions for reenactors, living history interpreters, and lovers of history. Check out The Badge Maker and place your orders here Thank you to our sponsor Bob Graesser, Raleigh Civil War Round Table's editor of The Knapsack newsletter and the Round Table's webmaster at http://www.raleighcwrt.org Producer: Dan Irving

About this episode: Presidential elections essentially boil down to a popular mandate, either supporting an incumbent’s administration or repudiating it. Never was that clearer than in 1864 when some four million people went to the polls to either re-elect Abraham Lincoln or oust him. At the election’s core: to stay the course and finish the war or admit it a failure and call for a cessation of hostilities. Such were the weighty consequences surrounding Abraham Lincoln’s quest for a second term. This is the story of a nation’s moment of decision. This is the story of the presidential election of 1864. ----more---- Some Characters Mentioned In This Episode: John Tyler George B. McClellan William Seward Salmon P. Chase Clement L. Vallandigham Additional Resources: Electoral Map - Election of 1864 Subscribe to the Threads from the National Tapestry YouTube Channel here Thank you to our sponsor, The Badge Maker - proudly carrying affordable Civil War Corps Badges and other hand-made historical reproductions for reenactors, living history interpreters, and lovers of history. Check out The Badge Maker and place your orders here Thank you to our sponsor Bob Graesser, Raleigh Civil War Round Table's editor of The Knapsack newsletter and the Round Table's webmaster at http://www.raleighcwrt.org Producer: Dan Irving

About this episode: Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant understood numbers. And, in the spring of 1864, he intended to use the North’s advantage in men and materiel to pressure, stretch and snap the Confederacy at multiple points. And so, he ordered simultaneous campaigns. As Abraham Lincoln put it, “those not skinning can hold a leg.” Three were to begin in Virginia: at Bermuda Hundred, into the Shenandoah Valley and across the Rapidan into the Wilderness. One was to be launched on the Red River in Louisiana and, finally, a campaign from Chattanooga, Tennessee. One that was aimed at the very heart of the Confederacy. This is the story of that campaign. This is the story of William Tecumseh Sherman’s drive on Atlanta. ----more---- Some Characters Mentioned In This Episode: William T. Sherman James B. McPherson George Henry Thomas Joseph E. Johnston William J. Hardee John Bell Hood Additional Resources: Movements and Battles of The Atlanta Campaign, May 7th - September 1st, 1864 Subscribe to the Threads from the National Tapestry YouTube Channel here Thank you to our sponsor, The Badge Maker - proudly carrying affordable Civil War Corps Badges and other hand-made historical reproductions for reenactors, living history interpreters, and lovers of history. Check out The Badge Maker and place your orders here Thank you to our sponsor Bob Graesser, Raleigh Civil War Round Table's editor of The Knapsack newsletter and the Round Table's webmaster at http://www.raleighcwrt.org Producer: Dan Irving

About this episode: As we’ve seen in the one presidential debate this election year, a performance has consequences. Although it was not for the office of chief executive, we turn over time’s shoulder to speak of another storied debate - in 1858 and for the office of U.S. senator. This is the story of a series of face-to-face confrontations that may not have had immediate ramifications but most certainly resonated two years later when, on the eve of civil war, the two both pursued the office of President of The United States. This is the story of the Lincoln-Douglas Debates. ----more---- Some Characters Mentioned In This Episode: Stephen A. Douglas Lyman Trumbull John C. Frémont Dred Scott James Buchanan For Further Reading: Lincoln and Douglas: The Debates that Defined America by Allen C. Guelzo Subscribe to the Threads from the National Tapestry YouTube Channel here Thank you to our sponsor, The Badge Maker - proudly carrying affordable Civil War Corps Badges and other hand-made historical reproductions for reenactors, living history interpreters, and lovers of history. Check out The Badge Maker and place your orders here Thank you to our sponsor Bob Graesser, Raleigh Civil War Round Table's editor of The Knapsack newsletter and the Round Table's webmaster at http://www.raleighcwrt.org Producer: Dan Irving

About this episode: With gray cape lined with red satin and ostrich plume in hat, he was the beau ideal of the cavalier South. He rode and campaigned with Sam Sweeney on banjo and Mulatto Bob on the bones. At times, one wondered was it war or just a lark. Despite all the showy display, he was Robert E. Lee’s “eyes and ears” and his reconnaissance set the table for battles and campaigns. And, in doing so, he came across as a knight in shining armor on a holy quest - a happy warrior in the middle of a desperate war. A dashing adventurer who loved to see his name in headlines, there were some who believed that for him, the contest was a constant quest for glory. And, sometimes, that propensity got himself, his comrades and the commander he dearly loved in trouble. This is the story of a man whose exploits paved the way for Confederate victories, and, to many, one of its greatest defeats. This is the story of James Ewell Brown Stuart. ----more---- Some Characters Mentioned In This Episode: Fitzhugh Lee Flora Cooke Philip St. George Cooke John Mosby John Pope Joseph Hooker Subscribe to the Threads from the National Tapestry YouTube Channel here Thank you to our sponsor, The Badge Maker - proudly carrying affordable Civil War Corps Badges and other hand-made historical reproductions for reenactors, living history interpreters, and lovers of history. Check out The Badge Maker and place your orders here Thank you to our sponsor Bob Graesser, Raleigh Civil War Round Table's editor of The Knapsack newsletter and the Round Table's webmaster at http://www.raleighcwrt.org Producer: Dan Irving