For all the great characteristics of the '59 issued McClellan Saddle, there were many complaints that soldiers had. Check out this video on what the most common complaints were.

On December 26, 1862, Major General William S. Rosecrans' Army of the Cumberland finally leaves its base at Nashville and advances towards General Braxton Bragg's Army of Tennessee stationed around Murfreesboro. After 4 days of maneuvering around Middle Tennessee, the two armies meet just west of...

Following the failure of Bragg's Invasion of Kentucky. The Confederate Army of Mississippi returned to Tennessee in chaos. Two sides sprang up in the army, one side was with Bragg, and the other was against Bragg. This verbal conflict was so great that the Confederate president himself, Jefferso...

In this episode, Andrew is on location in the Shenandoah Valley at the location of the battle of Cross Keys. This battlefield is used as the backdrop to talk about sharpshooters or light infantry use during the war. The unit as the center of this example is the famous Bucktails! Thank you to the ...

"Oh! Lud Gals" (often associated with "Buffalo Gals" or "Round Town Gals") is a 19th-century American minstrel song with roots in African American dance music, frequently featuring lyrics about city girls or dancing.

In this episode, you will learn proper terminology of the various parts and pieces that make up a Civil War musket. Learning the proper nomenclature can help you in discussions about these weapons. In addition, it will provide clearer communication during drill if you are a living historian. Th...

The fifth season of “Fridays at the Front” kicks off with a visit to McDowell. Released on the anniversary of the battle, find out what happened when two companies prepared for the Civil War - and they went to opposite sides. The men from Clarksburg collide at McDowell! Join us for the story.

Join in for a discussion featuring the audience in a pub, guided by Dr. Jennifer Murray, and hosted by Matt Callery. The question is was John Brown a hero or a terrorist?

Following his failure to take Vicksburg in the final months of 1862. Major General Ulysses S. Grant decides to pivot his Army of the Tennessee to the Mississippi River. Grant hopes that, with his cooperation with Rear Admiral David D. Porter's Mississippi Squadron, he can find a way to bypass the...

John Kline was a man of great faith. Living near current Broadway, he put on thousands of miles as a missionary for the German Baptist Brethren Church. HIs practice of faith made other suspect him, on both sides. Spend a few minutes and meet a man we have great respect for, and didn’t deserve the...

Although it was 20 years old at the outbreak of the Civil War, the M1841 “Mississippi” Rifle played a large role in the fight, both in action as well as helping develop the main weapons of the day. Join Andy as he looks at this rifle, its roots, and how it served in the Civil War.

Following Porter's running of the Vicksburg Batteries, Grant uses his available boats to cross the river and attack Vicksburg from the south. Alarmed by Grant's move, Pemberton abandons his extensive defenses facing north and pivots his men to face south. Yet, Grant does not incline to attack the...

The 21st Mississippi Infantry marched into Gettysburg with the Army of Northern Virginia, but by the end of the battle many of its soldiers had been killed, wounded, or captured. In this episode, we walk the same ground they crossed, stopping at key locations to trace their attack and explore wha...

The Virginia School of the Deaf and Blind was incredibly unique for its time, and is still a place of education today. What happens when generals need hospital space for all of the injured men, and the school is in an ideal location? Join Will as he dives into that story - as well as looks at how...

After crushing Pemberton at the Battles of Champion Hill and Big Black River Bridge, Major General Ulysses S. Grant drives his Army of Tennessee across the Big Black towards the city that has, since the beginning of the war, thwarted every attempt to be captured by the Federals: Vicksburg. Once n...