In this discussion from the 2012 Civil War Institute Conference at Gettysburg College, history professors and bloggers talk about the debates and controversies of emancipation – its timing, its initial results, and its post-war effects into the 20th century.

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This program includes portions from a symposium marking the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Stones River, which was fought near Murfreesboro, Tennessee, from December 31st, 1862 through January 2nd, 1863. First, Lincoln Memorial University history professor Earl Hess talks about Confederate commanding general Braxton Bragg’s role in the battle. Then, author and historian Richard McMurry discusses Jefferson Davis and the Confederate strategy carried out in the Stones River campaign. Later, a civilian perspective on the battle and its outcome, from Stones River National Battlefield park ranger Jim Lewis and Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area historian Antoinette van Zelm.

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Craig Symonds of the U.S. Naval Academy talks about the war’s Western Theater river operations in 1862. Symonds details the strategies employed by the Union to win several key battles, and credits those victories to the cooperation and combined tactics of General Ulysses S. Grant and Naval Flag Officer Andrew H. Foote. The Civil War Institute at Gettysburg College hosted this event.

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Author and University of Southern Mississippi history professor Susannah Ural talks about the Irish Brigade’s experience in the Battle of Fredericksburg. She also discusses the motivations of the many Irish immigrants who fought for the Union during the war. Then, author and historian Frank O’Reilly details the battle, and talks about the decisions made by the military and political leaders involved. Ms. Ural and Mr. O'Reilly were two of the speakers at the Battle of Fredericksburg 150th Anniversary event co-sponsored by the National Park Service, the Fredericksburg Area Museum, and the University of Mary Washington.

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Author and University of Alabama history professor George Rable talks about the December 1862 Battle of Fredericksburg. He places the battle in the context of the war, and talks about its effects and impressions on soldiers, civilians, journalists and politicians of the day. Professor Rable was one of the speakers at a Battle of Fredericksburg 150^th Anniversary event co-sponsored by the National Park Service, the Fredericksburg Area Museum, and the University of Mary Washington.

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University of Mary Washington history professor Jeffrey McClurken talks about the Civil War leading up to December 1862. He discusses the political situations in the North and South, and traces changes in the Union and Confederate commands to that point in the war. Using the words of politicians, military officers, journalists, and people living in and around Fredericksburg, Virginia during that period, Professor McClurken sets the stage for the Battle of Fredericksburg, which was fought from December 11th to the 13th, 1862. 

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Dennis Frye, author and chief historian at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, talks about the state of the war in early September 1862. Confederate General Robert E. Lee was poised to invade the North, causing alarm among northern government officials and citizens. General Lee’s goal was Pennsylvania, but by what route and through what cities and towns was unclear.

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MIT professor Merritt Roe Smith delivers the keynote address of the 2012 Smithsonian Institution’s “Technology and the Civil War” symposium. He talks about the North’s weapons production and manufacturing industry, and how that gave the Union an advantage over the Confederacy.

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Two history professors talk about aspects of the war in the West - from the Mississippi River to Arizona - including the roles played by Hispanics, and Confederate attempts at westward expansion. The National Park Service and the Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission co-hosted this event.

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Author and historian Mark Grimsley explains how American military conflicts through history have contributed to the formation and understanding of racial identities. He discusses the roles of African Americans on both the Union and Confederate sides of the Civil War. Mr. Grimsley spoke at the 2012 Civil War Institute Conference at Gettysburg College.

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