Best Jim Hessler Podcasts (2025)

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From Antietam to Ireland: Thomas Meagher, the Irish Brigade and an American Civil War journey 56:13

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12d ago56:13

56:13

In Episode 52, Irishman and historian Cóilín Ó Coigligh of County Cavan gives co-hosts Tom McMillan and John Banks the lowdown on Irish soldiers who fought at Antietam, including the famous Irish Brigade commander Thomas Meagher. Plus, John and Coilin dish on their American Civil War-focused trip in August on the Emerald Isle. (Pssst: They stayed a…

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Essential Antietam books: From Stephen Sears to William Frassanito 50:40

25d ago50:40

50:40

In Episode 51, with the holiday season looming, co-hosts Tom McMillan and John Banks discuss a range of Antietam books — from Landscape Turned Red by Stephen Sears to Antietam: The Photographic Legacy of America's Bloodiest Day by William Frassanito and more. This podcast is sponsored by Civil War Trails, which since 1994 has connected visitors wit…

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Historian George Rable explores Lincoln vs. McClellan and the high-stakes election of 1864 59:07

1M ago59:07

59:07

In Episode 50, historian George Rable — author of Conflict of Command: George McClellan, Abraham Lincoln, and the Politics of War — takes a deep dive with co-hosts John Banks and Tom McMillan into the contentious relationship between the president and general. Also, Rable takes us inside the McClellan-Lincoln presidential election of 1864, perhaps …

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The untold story of Antietam’s Dunker Church: From battlefield icon to rubble and revival 56:26

2M ago56:26

56:26

In Episode 49, former Antietam National Park Service ranger Alann Schmidt joins co-hosts John Banks and Tom McMillan for a freewheeling discussion about the iconic Dunker Church on the battlefield. Schmidt, co-author of September Mourn | The Dunker Church of Antietam Battlefield, also dishes on the church's lesser-known post-war history (pile of ru…

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Antietam guide Gary Rohrer on the 1962 centennial, battlefield bridges and South Mountain history 54:06

2M ago54:06

54:06

In Episode 48, Antietam guide and lifelong western Marylander Gary Rohrer joins co-hosts John Banks and Tom McMillan for a freewheeling discussion about the battlefield and his attendance at the centennial in 1962. Plus, he dishes on battlefield bridges, his family's connection to the South Mountain House (D.H. Hill HQ during battle) and gets tease…

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Gettysburg guide Jim Hessler talks about George Armstrong Custer, Antietam Lincoln photo and Libbie Custer 58:36

3M ago58:36

58:36

In Episode 47, licensed Gettysburg battlefield guide Jim Hessler, an expert on George Armstrong Custer, joins co-hosts John Banks and Tom McMillan for a freewheeling discussion about "The Boy General" and the Maryland Campaign. He also weighs in on that famous post-Antietam photograph of President Lincoln and George McClellan that purportedly inclu…

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Civil War Breakfast Club co-hosts talk Antietam stories, generals and 'hidden' history 55:33

4M ago55:33

55:33

In Episode 46, Darin Weeks and Mare Fincher, co-hosts of the excellent "Civil War Breakfast Club" podcast, join co-hosts John Banks (fresh from a trip to Ireland) and Tom McMillan for a freewheeling discussion of generals (O.O. Howard!) as well as lesser-known soldiers from the Battle of Antietam. Plus, they dish on their long-running podcast, favo…

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Best of The Antietam And Beyond Podcast: Scott Hartwig, Tom Clemens, Dennis Frye, Troy Cool, Dana Shoaf, Jennifer Murray 1:07:34

4M ago1:07:34

1:07:34

In Episode 45, join co-hosts John Banks and Tom McMillan for a "Best Of" podcast featuring these previous guests: Historian Scott Hartwig on researching for his epic I Dread The Thought Of The Place, a nearly 1,000-page book on the Battle of Antietam. Dr. Tom Clemens on the Save Historic Antietam Foundation. Historian Dennis Frye and Troy Cool on t…

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Antietam unearthed: Justin Martin on 'A Fierce Glory' 56:37

5M ago56:37

56:37

In Episode 44, Justin Martin — author of A Fierce Glory about the Battle of Antietam and four other books — talks with co-hosts John Banks and Tom McMillan about the major personalities he weaved into his terrific book (Lincoln! Letterman! Gardner!). Plus, he dishes on the great lull in the fighting on Sept. 17, 1862 (and other surprises), Quentin …

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Mapping Antietam: Aaron Holley's GPS meets historic cartography 51:02

6M ago51:02

51:02

On Episode 43, Aaron Holley — an Antietam Institute board member and West Virginia University graduate — talks with co-hosts John Banks and Tom McMillan about fields of fire, lost roads, hidden fence lines and other information derived from his fascinating battlefield mapmaking. Holley took the late 19th-century Ezra Carman-Emmor Cope Antietam maps…

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Preservation debate: Should all battlefields be saved? 48:43

6M ago48:43

48:43

In Episode 42, co-hosts John Banks and Tom McMillan discuss battlefield preservation at Antietam, Gettysburg and elsewhere. Should all hallowed ground be saved? The podcast is sponsored by Civil War Trails, which since 1994 has connected visitors with small towns and big stories across a network that now spans six states. Join McMillan and Banks fo…

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Confederate gunner John Pelham: Valor on the Antietam battlefield 58:21

6M ago58:21

58:21

In Episode 41, author/historian/speaker Sarah Kay Bierle chats with co-hosts John Banks and Tom McMillan about Confederate artillerist John Pelham, who played a pivotal role at Antietam. Her latest book is Glorious Courage: John Pelham In The Civil War, published in May 2025 by Savas Beatie. You may not know much about "The Gallant" Pelham, but you…

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Michigan's role at Antietam: Generals Williams, Richardson legacies 54:18

7M ago54:18

54:18

In Episode 40, Brian James Egen of The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn and author/historian Jack Dempsey join co-hosts John Banks and Tom McMillan to talk all things Michigan at Antietam. That includes stories about U.S. Army generals Alpheus S. Williams and Israel B. Richardson, who suffered a mortal wound in the attack on Bloody Lane on Sept. 17, 1…

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Albion Brooks: A teen soldier's Civil War story at Antietam 51:14

7M ago51:14

51:14

In Episiode 39, author Linda Zimmerman talks with John Banks (co-host Tom McMillan will be back soon) about her book, A Civil War Soldier and Me, the story of 8th Connecticut Sergeant Albion Brooks. Zimmerman devoted 30 years of research and traveled thousands of miles to learn about Brooks, who survived the bloodbath at Antietam as a teen but died…

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Listener spotlight: A Civil War-mad Canadian 15:52

8M ago15:52

15:52

In Episode 38, Canadian and long-suffering Toronto Maple Leafs fan Devan Sommerville, a fan of our podcast, joins co-host John Banks (Tom McMillan was off) for a 15-minute chat about his obsession with the American Civil War. Without prompting, he mentions John's favorite spot on the Antietam battlefield and educates us about an unheralded Canadian…

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Dr. Jennifer Murray on George Meade at Antietam, 'Old Baldy' 48:21

8M ago48:21

48:21

In a freewheeling Episode 37, Dr. Jennifer Murray — incoming director of the George Tyler Moore Center for the Study of the Civil War at Shepherd University — joins co-hosts Tom McMillan and John Banks talks about her new role as well as the role of General George Gordon Meade at Antietam. Plus, they have a lively discussion about Meade's old warho…

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Gettysburg College's Ashley Whitehead Luskey on Civil War education 9:18

8M ago9:18

9:18

In a mini-podcast, historian Ashley Whitehead Luskey — assistant director of the Civil War Institute at Gettysburg College — chats with co-hosts Tom McMillan and John Banks. On April 12, 2025, she was among the speakers at the Maryland Campaign Symposium at the Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall in Carnegie, Pa. It also included historians S…

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Maryland Campaign Symposium: Behind the scenes with Jon-Erik Gilot 13:24

8M ago13:24

13:24

In a mini-podcast, Jon Erik-Gilot — curator at the Thomas Espy Post at the Andrew Carnegie (Pa.) Free Library And Music Hall — dishes with co-hosts Tom McMillan and John Banks on the recently held Maryland Campaign Symposium he organized. It featured historians Scott Harwig ("I Dread The Thought Of The Place"), Dennis Frye, Harry Smeltzer, John Hop…

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Symposium special: Historians discuss Maryland Campaign 1:00:06

9M ago1:00:06

1:00:06

In a freewheeling Episode 34 — taped before an audience at the Maryland Campaign Symposium at the Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall in Carnegie, Pa. — historians Scott Hartwig (I Dread The Thought Of The Place), Kevin Pawlak and Harry Smeltzer, as well as Dana Shoaf and Melissa Hacker Winn of the National Museum of Civil War Medicine in Fre…

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Antietam hero Rufus Dawes of the Iron Brigade 49:29

9M ago49:29

49:29

In a freewheeling Episode 33, podcast hosts Tom McMillan and John Banks discuss Iron Brigade officer Rufus Dawes, who endured despite losing his best friend at Antietam. Plus, Tom dishes on his upcoming book, The Year That Made America, and John talks about staring into Ben Franklin's privy in Philadelphia and a post-Gettysburg battlefield tramping…

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Episode 51: The Wheatfield at Gettysburg - Part Three 1:19:57

1+ y ago1:19:57

1:19:57

In this episode, Eric, Jim, and Jody continue their multi-part deep dive into the fighting in and around the infamous Wheatfield at Gettysburg. The hosts shift their focus to the Stony Hill on the western edge of the Wheatfield and the fighting between the Fifth Corps brigades of Tilton and Sweitzer of James Barnes's Division and the South Carolina…

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Episode 50: The Wheatfield at Gettysburg - Part Two 1:24:29

2y ago1:24:29

1:24:29

In this episode, Eric, Jim, and Jody continue their multi-part deep dive into the fighting in and around the infamous Wheatfield at Gettysburg. The hosts focus on the initial combat in the Wheatfield between the 3rd Arkansas and George Anderson's Georgia brigade as they square off with Union Third Corps forces from the brigades of De Trobriand, War…

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Episode 49: The Wheatfield at Gettysburg - Part One 1:09:37

2y ago1:09:37

1:09:37

In this episode, Eric, Jim, and Jody begin a multi-part deep dive into the fighting in and around the infamous Wheatfield at Gettysburg. The hosts set the stage for July 2 by detailing exactly what is "the Wheatfield," who lived on the property in 1863 and introduce the key figures and troops involved in the first phase of action in the area.If you…

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Episode 48: Abraham Lincoln in Gettysburg - November 18-19, 1863 with Tim Smith 1:19:22

2y ago1:19:22

1:19:22

In September 2023, The Adams County Historical Society hosted a special live recording of the show. Eric, Jim, and Jody were joined by Historian and Licensed Battlefield Guide Tim Smith and a lively crowd of Superfans. The topic that evening was Abraham Lincoln's visit to Gettysburg which lasted just 25 hours spanning November 18 - 19, 1863. In thi…

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Episode 47: The Eve of Battle - June 30, 1863 1:47:29

2+ y ago1:47:29

1:47:29

In this episode, Eric, Jim, and Jody had the opportunity to visit the historic Cashtown Inn located in Cashtown, Pennsylvania to record a deep-dive look at the events and decisions of June 30, 1863, and the impact they will have on what will become the Battle of Gettysburg. If you would like to donate to the show, you can do so via the following: A…

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Episode 46: John Sedgwick and The Union Sixth Corps - Part Two with Carol Reardon 1:21:05

2+ y ago1:21:05

1:21:05

In this episode, Eric, Jim, and Jody are once again joined by esteemed Civil War historian Dr. Carol Reardon as she discusses John Sedgwick and the Union Sixth Corps from their pursuit of Lee's army after Gettysburg to the death of Sedgwick on May 9, 1864. Part Two features a wide-ranging discussion of topics about Sedgwick and his troops, but also…

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Episode 45: John Sedgwick and The Union Sixth Corps - Part One with Carol Reardon 1:29:58

2+ y ago1:29:58

1:29:58

In this episode, Eric, Jim, and Jody are joined by esteemed Civil War historian Dr. Carol Reardon as she discusses John Sedgwick and the Union Sixth Corps in the Gettysburg Campaign. Part One covers the background of John Sedgwick, a discussion of the composition of the Sixth Corps during the campaign, and a detailed look at the critical, but often…

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Episode 44: The Gettysburg Bad History Episode - Part Two 1:52:24

3y ago1:52:24

1:52:24

In this episode, Eric and Jim continue their look at Bad Gettysburg History with a special focus on July 3 and beyond! Topics covered are Confederate Strategy on July 3, fighting around Culp's Hill, Pickett's Charge, East AND South Cavalry Field, and much more in this edition of The Battle of Gettysburg Podcast. If you would like to donate to the s…

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Episode 43: The Gettysburg Bad History Episode - Part One 1:32:43

3y ago1:32:43

1:32:43

In this episode, Eric and Jim tackle a beloved subject matter: Gettysburg's bad history! What makes "bad history?" What are some of the more egregious Gettysburg myths, misunderstandings, or outright misinterpretations that relate to the battle? Tune in as our co-hosts delve into the worst of Gettysburg history! If you would like to donate to the s…

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Episode 42: George Meade at Gettysburg - Part Two with Kent Masterson Brown 1:42:29

3+ y ago1:42:29

1:42:29

Eric and Jim continue their conversation with Kent Masterson Brown about all things George Meade and Gettysburg. In this episode, they pick up on the morning of July 2 and continue to the end of the battle on July 3, with some discussion of the logistical challenges faced by the Army of the Potomac in the wake of their victory. And yes there is som…

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Episode 41: George Meade at Gettysburg - Part One with Kent Masterson Brown 1:32:09

3+ y ago1:32:09

1:32:09

Eric and Jim have long wanted to do an episode (or two) on George Meade and who better to join them than the author of "Meade at Gettysburg" Kent Masterson Brown to discuss Meade's role in the Gettysburg Campaign. Part One begins with Meade taking command of the Army of the Potomac on June 28, 1863, and follows him through his arrival in Gettysburg…

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Episode 40: The Weather and The Battle of Gettysburg 1:20:44

3+ y ago1:20:44

1:20:44

What the weather was like during the Battle of Gettysburg? What impact did it have? How do we deal with differing accounts of the weather? If you have ever wondered questions such as these, then this is the episode for you!Jim is joined by Super Fan Jody (filling in as co-host for Eric) as they interview (via Zoom) Jeff Harding and Dr. Jon Nese fro…

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Episode 39: James Longstreet at Gettysburg - Part Three 2:05:16

3+ y ago2:05:16

2:05:16

To kick off Season Four of The Battle of Gettysburg Podcast, Eric and Jim return to a familiar topic and continue their deep dive into James Longstreet and the Gettysburg Campaign. This episode will focus on Longstreet's role in the Confederate attack plan of July 2 and more importantly on the famous, or infamous, countermarch later that afternoon.…

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Episode 38: The Battle of Gettysburg Podcast LIVE! Heel Draft 59:15

4y ago59:15

59:15

We wanted to end Season 3 on a light-hearted high note... On May 1, 2021, Eric and Jim were joined by groups of Super Fans for our first-ever live recording at GettysGear and this episode is a recording of that great night. Our topic that evening was the popular Battle of Gettysburg Heel Draft with Eric and Jim squaring off to see who can select th…

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Episode 37: Chambersburg and The Civil War - Part Two with Tracy Baer 1:40:50

4y ago1:40:50

1:40:50

In this episode of The Battle of Gettysburg Podcast, Eric and Jim are again joined by their friend and colleague Tracy Baer who will be discussing the fascinating history of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. While many students of the battle have heard of Chambersburg, it is often overshadowed by events just thirty miles to the east in Gettysburg. Tracy …

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Episode 36: Chambersburg and The Civil War - Part One with Tracy Baer 1:18:48

4+ y ago1:18:48

1:18:48

In this episode of The Battle of Gettysburg Podcast, Eric and Jim are joined by their friend and colleague Tracy Baer who will be discussing the fascinating history of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. While many students of the battle have heard of Chambersburg, it is often overshadowed by events just thirty miles to the east in Gettysburg. Tracy in Par…

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Episode 35: July 1 on Seminary Ridge with Pete Miele 1:21:45

4+ y ago1:21:45

1:21:45

To commemorate the 158th anniversary of the start of the Battle of Gettysburg, Eric and Jim have gone high in the sky to record an episode from the iconic cupola of the Luthern Theological Seminary. They are joined by Pete Miele, Executive Director of the Seminary Ridge Museum, and newest podcast team member Super Fan Jody to discuss the critical m…

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Episode 34: James Longstreet at Gettysburg - Part Two 1:13:40

4+ y ago1:13:40

1:13:40

In this episode, Eric and Jim continue their deep dive into James Longstreet and the Gettysburg Campaign. Part Two focuses on the period of Longstreet's service from January to July 1, 1863. The hosts analyze Longstreet in the Suffolk Campaign in the spring of 1863, his absence from Chancellorsville, and the role he played in the Confederate planni…

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Episode 33: James Longstreet at Gettysburg - Part One 1:34:21

4+ y ago1:34:21

1:34:21

In this episode, Eric and Jim begin their first of a three-part series on Lieutenant General James Longstreet who commanded the First Corps of the Army of Northern Virginia at Gettysburg. Part One is a deep dive into the period of Longstreet's life from his birth in South Carolina to the end of 1862 and what we can learn from Longstreet's life to g…

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Episode 32: Medical Care at Gettysburg - Part Two 1:20:31

4+ y ago1:20:31

1:20:31

Eric and Jim are once again joined by their friends and colleagues Fran Feyock and Rick Schroeder, both retired medical professionals, to do a deep dive into some of the more well-known individuals to be wounded at Gettysburg and take a closer look at their treatment and recovery. If you would like to donate to the show, you can do so via the follo…

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Episode 31: Medical Care at Gettysburg - Part One 1:16:50

5y ago1:16:50

1:16:50

In this episode of The Battle of Gettysburg Podcast, Eric and Jim are joined by their friends and colleagues Fran Feyock and Rick Schroeder, both retired medical professionals, to discuss the treatment and challenges of battlefield medicine at Gettysburg. You will not want to miss this episode into an underappreciated yet vitally important aspect o…

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Episode 30: East Cavalry Field at Gettysburg - Part Two 1:42:02

5y ago1:42:02

1:42:02

In this episode of The Battle of Gettysburg Podcast, Eric and Jim continue their two-part deep dive on the fighting of July 3 at East Cavalry Field. The co-hosts discuss the ebb and flow of this often confusing action, and they also take on prevailing views and theories that have arisen from this aspect of the battle that some have called "Cavalry …

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Episode 29: What Was Sickles Thinking on July 2? 44:41

5y ago44:41

44:41

In this special Super Bowl Sunday edition of The Battle of Gettysburg Podcast, Eric and Jim decided to put together a Gettysburg Halftime Event for the big game! For an event of this magnitude, they had to select an individual whose legend was equal to this monumental moment... None other than Dan Sickles!In this episode, Eric and Jim delve into th…

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Episode 28: East Cavalry Field at Gettysburg - Part One 1:21:39

5y ago1:21:39

1:21:39

In this episode of The Battle of Gettysburg Podcast, Eric and Jim begin their two-part deep dive on the fighting of July 3 at East Cavalry Field. The co-hosts discuss why this action is important, what led David Gregg and JEB Stuart's cavalry forces to meet on that part of the field, and the role of Union and Confederate troopers that afternoon. Th…

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Episode 27: John Bachelder and Gettysburg... The Man, The Myth, The Papers! Part Two 2:02:39

5y ago2:02:39

2:02:39

In this episode of The Battle of Gettysburg Podcast, Eric and Jim continue their two-part deep dive into the life and legacy of the artist turned-historian, John Badger Bachelder. In this episode, the hosts discuss some of the controversies that Bachelder was a part of, give insight on how to best use the Bachelder Papers as a resource for studying…

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Episode 26: John Bachelder and Gettysburg... The Man, The Myth, The Papers! Part One 1:16:00

5y ago1:16:00

1:16:00

In this episode of The Battle of Gettysburg Podcast, Eric and Jim begin their two-part deep dive into the life and legacy of the artist turned historian, John Badger Bachelder. Outside of a participant, Bachelder is the most influential and powerful individual ever associated with the Battle of Gettysburg. So who was Bachelder, and why was he so im…

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Episode 25: Alfred Iverson at Gettysburg - Part Two 2:01:07

5y ago2:01:07

2:01:07

In this episode of The Battle of Gettysburg Podcast, Eric and Jim continue their look at Brigadier General Alfred Iverson and his North Carolina brigade. In Part Two, the hosts give another of their noted "deep dives" into what happened to Iverson and his troops at Gettysburg on July 1 and the ultimate fallout from what happened on the fields of th…

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Episode 24: Alfred Iverson at Gettysburg - Part One 1:23:30

5y ago1:23:30

1:23:30

In this episode of The Battle of Gettysburg Podcast, Eric and Jim start Season Three off with a look at one of the most controversial figures associated with the battle: Brigadier General Alfred Iverson. In Part One, they take a deep dive into the native-born Georgian as they detail his life and military service up to July 1. As they often do, the …

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Episode 23: The Battle of Gettysburg Fantasy Draft! 2:44:41

5y ago2:44:41

2:44:41

To close out Season Two and to celebrate the first anniversary of the show, Eric and Jim are joined by some of their friends and colleagues for The First Annual Battle of Gettysburg Fantasy Draft. While the theme of the show is somewhat lighthearted, this almost three-hour episode is full of great insights from Licensed Battlefield Guide and, at ti…

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Episode 22: Culp's Hill at Gettysburg, July 2: Part Two 1:31:36

5+ y ago1:31:36

1:31:36

In this episode of The Battle of Gettysburg Podcast, Eric and Jim continue their two-part series on the July 2 fighting on Culp's Hill. In Part Two, the hosts give a deep dive into battle action on Culp's Hill on the evening of July 2, involving George Greene's Union brigade and Confederate forces under Edward Johnson. As always, special attention …