Videos

Author Elizabeth Varon talkcd about political rhetoric used in the Union during the Civil War, which, she argued made Northerners believe they were saving the South. She explored the…

Texas Christian University Professor Steven Woodworth discussed Ulysses S. Grant’s leadership style and how it compares to other Union generals. He argued that characteristics such as Grant’s…

Author Peter Carmichael used letters written by Union and Confederate soldiers to examine their battle experience, mental state, and political outlook. He argued that the daily life of a…

Historians Joan Waugh and Gary Gallagher answered - what caused the Civil War? Ms. Waugh and Mr. Gallagher co-authored, The American War: A History of the Civil War Era. Their remarks were…

Civil War scholar Jeffrey Hunt detailed the movements of General George Meade and Union forces from July to December 1863 as they followed Confederates through Virginia. This event was part of Pamplin…

Civil War scholar Rod Gragg discussed the Battle of Fort Fisher, which occured in December 1864 and January 1865. Though beaten back at the first engagement, the Union Army remained determined to capture the…

Civil War scholar Scott Patchan talked about operations in the Shenandoah Valley during July and August 1864. Following a Confederate advance on Washington D.C. under Major General Jubal…

Civil War scholar James Morgan discussed the October 1861 Battle of Ball’s Bluff that occurred near Leesburg, Virginia. Fought during the first year of the war, he argued that this Union loss was largely due…

Scott Mingus, co-author of Targeted Tracks, talked about the importance of the Cumberland Valley Railroad during the Civil War. This was a one-track railroad running from Hagerstown,…

Pamplin Historical Park executive director Jerry Desmond explored the 1863 Battle of Ringgold Gap, a small engagement in northern Georgia following the Union victory at Chattanooga, Tennessee. This event was…

Kristen Pawlak talked about the Battle of Wilson’s Creek, fought between Union and Confederate forces in southwest Missouri in August 1861. She explained that the conflict, while not widely known, is significant…

Author Chris Kolakowski talked about the 1863 Tullahoma Campaign in Tennessee. He argued that the power struggles between the Confederate leaders in the Army of Tennessee resulted in their unpreparedness for…

Drew Gruber talked about the 1862 Battle of Williamsburg in Virginia - and why it was overshadowed that year by larger and bloodier battles. He also explained why Williamsburg’s colonial history has…

National Park Service ranger Steve Phan discussed the Union Army’s initiative to build forts around Washington, D.C. The Battle of Fort Stevens, a campaign by Confederate Lieutenant General…

Dan Welch discussed the 1862 Battle of Secessionville, a Union attempt to wrest control of nearby Tower Battery from the Confederate Army. Controlling this area meant access to Charleston, South…

Chris Mackowski discussed the Battle of Mine Run, a small engagement in December 1863 between Union forces against better positioned Confederates near Fredericksburg, Virginia. Mr.…

Sarah Kay Bierle talked about 1864 New Market Campaign, which she argued resulted in the last major Confederate victory in the Shenandoah Valley and had a strategic importance far beyond the relatively small number of forces…

Ryan Quint talked about the Battle of Dranesville, fought in Northern Virginia in December 1861. He argued that the conflict, while not well known, is significant because it was the first victory for the Union…

Jon-Erik Gilot examined the Battle of Philippi, fought in West Virginia in June 1861. He argued that although the action was brief, it was significant because it was the first organized land engagement of the war…

A. Wilson Greene analyzed Ulysses S. Grant’s lesser-known second Petersburg offensive, which took place in June 1864 as Union forces attempted to capture Petersburg, Virginia, before Confederate General Robert E.…