Historical Insights

In April 1862, a courageous group of Union soldiers snuck behind Rebel lines to steal a locomotive and disrupt a vital artery of the Confederacy. But all did not go according to plan

Immediately following Shiloh, Federal forces occupy stretegic points in North Alabama, while Rebels attempt to undermine their position in every way possible.

We will explore the events of the second day's fighting at Shiloh, and the aftermath in the nation and the Tennessee Valley. At the 15:39 mark, I state incorrectly Buell's forces arrived as late as 11:00 a.m. Tuesday. I should have said Monday

Here you'll find unabridged eyewitness accounts of the battle of Shiloh, with brief biographical blurbs about the authors. (I let my Southern accent slip a little bit with Sam Watkins, but it seemed appropriate) You can follow the link below to see pictures of the authors as well as a transcript of this episode. Enjoy! https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AAaDHAflwe0NLQAj2wOLtdrDHDHW9n51/view?usp=drivesdk

We will examine the bloody struggle which took place one lovely Sunday morning on the banks of the Tennessee River from the eyes of those who experienced it firsthand. See the link below for the excerpted quotations I gathered for my research: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pGgHWyJWPcni4TyfnWkjDWSmtuqREdVi/view?usp=drivesdk

We will discuss the historical context leading up to the monumental battle of Shiloh, early in April 1862. *At 10:53 and 16:25 I forget to say "end quote"

The Valley of the Tennessee is opened to Union invasion with a dramatic turn of events for life in the Shoals.

We will discuss the events of the Civil War between Lincoln's inauguration and the aftermath of Bull Run; a time characterized by naive misconceptions about the bloody nature of the war to come.

We will discuss the fractious election of 1860, the Alabama state secession convention, with detailed eyewitness narratives and demographic information. At the 13:33 mark, it's Seward, not Steward. I know that, just misspoke!

What were the events that led to the Southern leaders deciding to secede from the Union in 1860?