The Distant Drums Podcast

What was it actually like to fight at Antietam?In this episode of The Distant Drums Podcast, we sit down with historian and author Scott Hartwig to explore the Battle of Antietam through the experiences of the men who fought there.Rather than simply walking through the battle from a bird's-eye view, we focus on the individual soldier. Using firsthand accounts, letters, and recollections from men who experienced the fighting, we explore what they saw, heard, feared, and endured on September 17, 1862.Our focus is the Miller's Cornfield sector—one of the most violent and chaotic portions of the Battle of Antietam.Scott provides additional context for these firsthand accounts, explaining what was happening around these soldiers and helping us understand their experiences within the larger battle.Their words give us a different perspective on Antietam: not just movements on a map or numbers on a casualty list, but the experience of the men who actually stood in the Cornfield.

The Battle of Antietam is often remembered for the Cornfield, the Sunken Road, and Burnside's Bridge—but some of the most brutal fighting of September 17, 1862, took place on the southern portion of the battlefield.

In this episode of The Distant Drums Podcast, we sit down with historian and author Benjamin L. Cwayna for a deep dive into his presentation, “Slaughter Along a Stone Wall.”

We explore the Maryland Campaign from the Confederate perspective, beginning with the aftermath of Second Manassas and the march north into Maryland. Along the way, we discuss the growing animosity between A.P. Hill and Stonewall Jackson, the tensions within the Army of Northern Virginia, and the circumstances that brought Hill's Light Division to Antietam at a critical moment in the battle.

From there, we turn our attention to the savage fighting on the southern end of the battlefield, where A.P. Hill's Light Division collided with inexperienced Union troops, including the 16th Connecticut Infantry and the 4th Rhode Island Infantry.

For the men of these regiments, Antietam would become a baptism of fire unlike anything they had experienced before. What followed was confused, close-range and extraordinarily violent combat as Confederate and Union soldiers fought for control of the ground around the stone walls and fields south of the Antietam Creek.

Ben brings years of research, living-history experience, and his work on the 12th South Carolina Infantry to the discussion. His book, The Invincible Twelfth, examines the history of the 12th South Carolina and the Gregg-McGowan Brigade, including their experiences during the Maryland Campaign.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The lead-up to the Maryland Campaign
• The Confederate march into Maryland
• A.P. Hill and Stonewall Jackson's growing tensions
• Hill's Light Division at Antietam
• Gregg's South Carolina Brigade
• The 16th Connecticut Infantry and their first major battle
• The 4th Rhode Island at Antietam
• The fighting on the southern portion of the battlefield
• The stone walls and terrain that shaped the battle
• The brutal close-range combat at Antietam
• The experiences of the soldiers caught in the fighting
• Why this often-overlooked portion of Antietam deserves more attention

Antietam was one of the bloodiest single days in American history. For the men who fought along these stone walls, it was not an abstract battle on a map—it was a terrifying struggle for survival.

History You Can March To.

🎙️ The Distant Drums Podcast
Produced by Project Past

#Antietam #CivilWar #AmericanCivilWar #DistantDrums #AHPHill #StonewallJackson #16thConnecticut #4thRhodeIsland #MarylandCampaign

The Battle of Kennesaw Mountain marked one of the most dramatic moments of the Atlanta Campaign, as General William T. Sherman abandoned his usual flanking strategy and launched a rare frontal assault against General Joseph E. Johnston’s well-fortified Confederate line.In this episode, I sit down with Civil War author Ben Cwayna to explore the battle from both Union and Confederate perspectives. We examine the strategic movements that led to the engagement, the commanders who shaped the campaign, and why Sherman chose to attack one of the strongest defensive positions of the war.Our conversation also takes an in-depth look at the infamous Dead Angle, where some of the fiercest hand-to-hand fighting of the battle unfolded. Ben explains what made this position so deadly, how the soldiers endured the brutal combat, and why the Dead Angle remains one of the most fascinating locations on the Kennesaw Mountain battlefield.Whether you’re interested in battlefield tactics, the Atlanta Campaign, or the personal stories of the men who fought there, this episode offers a compelling look at one of the Civil War’s most important engagements.If you enjoy conversations with historians, authors, and battlefield experts, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with fellow history enthusiasts.

How do you transform history into a story that truly connects with people?

In this episode, we sit down with filmmaker and historian Will Eichler, one of the leading creative voices in Civil War documentary production. Will shares his journey from growing up in a farming community to producing compelling historical films that bring the past to life for modern audiences.

We discuss his latest project, Whitney's Mettle, the creative process behind historical filmmaking, and his vision for HistoryFix, a streaming platform dedicated to history-focused programming. Along the way, Will explains why history is far more than names and dates—it's about the people, emotions, and experiences that continue to shape our lives today.

Whether your passion is the Civil War, documentary filmmaking, or simply great storytelling, this conversation offers an inside look at what it takes to make history meaningful and memorable.

In this episode:

• Will Eichler's path into historical filmmaking
• The inspiration behind Whitney's Mettle

• The mission and future of HistoryFix
• Why storytelling is essential to preserving history
• Making the Civil War relevant for new generations

If you enjoy conversations with historians, authors, filmmakers, and battlefield experts, be sure to subscribe and leave a review. Your support helps us continue bringing the stories of history to life.

What happened after the smoke cleared at the Battle of the Little Bighorn? While the battle itself has been studied for generations, the recovery and burial of the dead is a story that is often overlooked.

In this episode, I sit down with historian Bob Reece, President of the Friends of the Little Bighorn Battlefield, to examine the difficult work that followed Custer's defeat. We discuss the multiple expeditions made by the U.S. Army to recover and bury the fallen, how the battlefield changed in the weeks and years after the fighting, and what historical evidence reveals about the soldiers who were left where they fell.

Bob also explores one of the battlefield's most enduring mysteries—the possibility that additional remains may still lie in the Deep Ravine—and explains why this location continues to be the subject of historical research and discussion.

Whether you're fascinated by battlefield archaeology, military history, or the enduring mysteries surrounding the Battle of the Little Bighorn, this conversation offers a thoughtful look at one of the conflict's most sobering chapters.

If you enjoy conversations with historians, battlefield experts, and authors, be sure to subscribe and leave a review to help more people discover the show.

In this episode, we sit down with award-winning historian and author Chris J. Hartley to discuss his new book on D.H. Hill. We explore Hill's military career, his complicated relationships with fellow Confederate leaders, what made him such a fascinating figure, and why his story still matters today.

Chris J. Hartley is the author of several acclaimed books, including The Lost Soldier: The Ordeal of a World War II GI From the Home Front to the Huertgen Forest, Stoneman's Raid, 1865, and Stuart's Tarheels: James B. Gordon and His North Carolina Cavalry. His work has received numerous honors, including the Willie Parker Peace Prize from the North Carolina Society of Historians and the Preservation Education and Publication Award from The Historic Salisbury Foundation. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Hartley is also a frequent speaker and battlefield guide.

If you enjoy in-depth Civil War conversations with leading historians and authors, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with fellow history enthusiasts.

Welcome to another episode of the Distant Drums Podcast, where we journey through the intricate history of the American Civil War. In this post, we delve into the overlooked involvement of the U.S. Marines during the First Battle of Manassas, a pivotal moment in the Civil War. As the first major battle of the conflict, it set the stage for the struggles and sacrifices that would follow. Today, we are joined by Harry Smelzer, an expert in Civil War history and the host of Bull Runnings, a dedicated platform for primary resources related to the first battle of Bull Run.

In this episode of The Distant Drums Podcast, we are joined by acclaimed military history artist Mark Maritato. Known for his historically accurate Civil War paintings, Mark's artwork has appeared in museums, National Park Service exhibits, documentaries, and private collections around the world. Every painting begins with months—or even years—of research to ensure every uniform, weapon, landscape, and detail is historically accurate.During our conversation, we discuss:-Mark's artistic process from research to finished painting-The incredible stories behind several of his favorite Civil War works-His favorite Civil War unit-Gettysburg and why the battle continues to inspire artists and historians-The importance of historical accuracy in military artworkWhether you're a Civil War enthusiast, an artist, or simply appreciate the stories behind great historical paintings, you'll enjoy this fascinating conversation.

On July 2nd, 1863, Captain David Acheson found himself in a life-changing moment, though he had no idea his life would tragically end by sunset. This young and intelligent officer, who commanded Company C of the 140th Pennsylvania Infantry, was about to become one of the many casualties of the Battle of Gettysburg, a pivotal moment in American history. In this episode, we explore the life, service, and ultimate sacrifice of Captain Acheson, whose story exemplifies the human cost of war.

In this episode of The Distant Drums Podcast, we sit down with historian and author Sandy Barnard to discuss the evolving interpretation of one of the most famous battles in American history. Drawing from decades of research and writing, Sandy explores how perspectives on George Armstrong Custer, the Seventh Cavalry, Native American participants, and the battle itself have shifted over time. Sandy Barnard has authored numerous publications on the Civil War and Plains Indian Wars, with a particular focus on George Armstrong Custer and the Seventh U.S. Cavalry. He has served as editor of Greasy Grass, the annual publication of the Custer Battlefield Historical & Museum Association, and has contributed to projects at Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument.