War Yankee - Overland

It's May 1864 and the Union has entered its fourth year of war against the Confederacy. President Abraham Lincoln has fired yet another general and is looking for an officer who will take the fight to the rebels. Enter Major General Ulysses S. Grant, the Hero of Vicksburg, and the type of general Lincoln knows will change the direction of the war in favor of the Union.

Promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General -- a rank only held in wartime by George Washington -- Lincoln tasks Grant with the job of leading all Union troops against the Confederate Army.

Grant wasted no time in forming a new aggressive strategy that will attack the Confederacy from five different directions and take him, the new commander of the Army of the Potomac, into the field to face General Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia.

Howdy, I am Kyle Bondo, a US Navy veteran, resident of Fredericksburg, Virginia, and amateur civil war history buff, inviting you to join me for my new podcast - War Yankee.

Follow me as I explore the history of the American Civil War beginning with Grant's Overland Campaign of May/June 1864. Why am I starting in the middle of the war? Because I live in Fredericksburg, Virginia, where the 40+ days of fighting started only a few miles away from my house at the Battle of the Wilderness, and then tore through my backyard into Spotsylvania Courthouse before concluding 80 miles to the south at Petersburg, Virginia.

To make this podcast, I actually walked the path of destruction from Culpeper to Petersburg, Virginia, and stood where General Grant and the brave soldiers of the Army of the Potomac stood, 156 years ago. I now truly understand what it took the Union Army, in both courage and sacrifice, to end slavery once and for all, and ultimately reunite the United States of America.

War Yankee - Overland is my American Civil War history podcast created by me, Kyle Bondo, and produced by Gagglepod. I hope you can join me as I follow the history hiding in my own backyard.

Discover the first events that push the Army of the Potomac through The Wilderness and into the teeth of Lee's Army of Northern Virginia.

The Army of the Potomac has captured the Brock Road Intersection with Orange Plank Road, has discovered Confederate cavalry probing their left flank along the Catharpin Road, and now must deal with the growing threat of Rebels digging in along the Orange Turnpike. After waiting for hours for Meade to stop talking about attacking, and actually attack, Grant has had enough. But will he intervene in time to win his first battle against Lee?

"If [this] is what Meade meant by attacking 'at once', as he said he would at 7:30 AM (it's now after 10:00 AM) no wonder Lee was running circles around him."
-- Gordon Rhea, Battle of the Wilderness

"The only time I ever feel impatient is when I give an order for an important movement of troops in the presence of the enemy and am waiting for them to reach their destination. Then the minutes seem like hours."
-- Grant's comment to Porter, from Hell Itself by Chris Mackowski

Every episode is a work of passion that requires a lot of coffee. I research, read, visit, host, mix, edit, and produce every episode myself. I would greatly appreciate it if you could do two things for me:

1. Send me a quick note of encouragement at [email protected]. This keeps me going when times get tough!

2. If you enjoy this podcast, please consider supporting the show by buying me a cup of coffee (or two)!

The American Battlefield Trust knows that there is no substitute for experiencing history in the places where it actually took place and has worked to become the only national organization working to save America's historic battlefields today and discover how you can help preserve American history forever. Join me in the fight to save our nation's historic battlefields by visiting the American Battlefield Trust website at battlefields.org.

• Email Us: THE waryankee AT GMAIL DOT com
• All our Show Notes: waryankee.com
• Notable Resources: waryankee.com/resources/
• Buy Me a Coffee - Support the Show
• Good Maps: Union Army Actions in The Wilderness (May 5th, 1864)
• All our Episodes: waryankee.libsyn.com
• War Yankee - Overland
• Gagglepod - Once Told, Shared Forever

War Yankee is a Gagglepod Production. Learn more at gagglepod.com.

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Kyle Bondo talks about his upcoming move to Texas and teases out the next episodes of War Yankee coming on November 10th, 2021.

Every episode is a work of passion that requires a lot of coffee. I research, read, visit, host, mix, edit, and produce every episode myself. I would greatly appreciate it if you could do two things for me:

1. Send me a quick note of encouragement at [email protected]. This keeps me going when times get tough!

2. If you enjoy this podcast, please consider supporting the show by buying me a cup of coffee (or two)!

An American Civil War history podcast hosted by Kyle M. Bondo that follows the Overland Campaign led by General Ulysses S. Grant as he drives the Army of the Potomac on its 47-day, 113-mile military campaign South against the Confederacy in 1864.

"Let me tell you what is coming. After the sacrifice of countless millions of treasure and hundreds of thousands of lives, you may win Southern independence if God be not against you, but I doubt it. I tell you that, while I believe with you in the doctrine of states rights, the North is determined to preserve this Union. They are not a fiery, impulsive people as you are, for they live in colder climates. But when they begin to move in a given direction, they move with the steady momentum and perseverance of a mighty avalanche; and what I fear is, they will overwhelm the South."
-- Sam Houston, after refusing to swear an oath of loyalty to the Confederacy to which the legislature of Texas declared his governorship vacant, February/March 1861.

• Email Us: THE War Yankee AT GMAIL DOT com
• All our Show Notes: waryankee.com
• Notable Resources: waryankee.com/resources/
• All our Episodes: waryankee.libsyn.com
• War Yankee - Overland!
• Gagglepod - Until Every Story is Told!

War Yankee is a Gagglepod Production. Learn more at gagglepod.com.

Discover the fate of Harry Wilson's cavalry division and why it was absent during the opening hours of the Battle of the Wilderness (Part II).

Greenhorn cavalry officer Brig. Gen. Harry Wilson has stumbled onto a third Confederate cavalry force coming down the Catharpin Road. While he prepares his troopers to repeal a rebel counter-attack from his former West Point classmate Gen. Thomas "Tex" Rosser of Virginia, he is desperate to get this new information to Meade before it is too late. The only problem is that Wilson's entire cavalry division -- over 3,000 men and horses -- is completely cut off from the rest of the Union Army. No one is coming to save him or his men.

"I had had no word from Sheridan that day and knew absolutely nothing as to his whereabouts or even as to the position of any part of the army except my own."
-- Brig. Gen. Harry Wilson

"Pistol and sabre were busy in slaughter while the shrieks of the stricken and the shouts of the victors mingled with the roar of battle."
-- Confederate Cavalryman

"General Wilson is falling back to this point, followed by the enemy. Col. Chapman reports the enemy that attacked very superior to his [force] and compelled him to retire. Wilson himself had not yet arrived and I can't say what I will do. I have my command here and will receive the enemy."
-- Brig.Gen. Gregg

"Artilleryyy-ist... Artilllllery-ist? Artiller-ist? No. Can't say it. How's about, 'good shot with a cannon!'"
-- Kyle M. Bondo, Amateur Cannoneer

Every episode is a work of passion that requires a lot of coffee. I research, read, visit, host, mix, edit, and produce every episode myself. I would greatly appreciate it if you could do two things for me:

1. Send me a quick note of encouragement at [email protected]. This keeps me going when times get tough!

2. If you enjoy this podcast, please consider supporting the show by buying me a cup of coffee (or two)!

The American Battlefield Trust knows that there is no substitute for experiencing history in the places where it actually took place and has worked to become the only national organization working to save America's historic battlefields today and discover how you can help preserve American history forever. Join me in the fight to save our nation's historic battlefields by visiting the American Battlefield Trust website at battlefields.org.

• Email Us: THE waryankee AT GMAIL DOT com
• All our Show Notes: waryankee.com
• Notable Resources: waryankee.com/resources/
• Buy Me a Coffee - Support the Show
• Good Maps: Union Army Actions in The Wilderness (May 5th, 1864)
• All our Episodes: waryankee.libsyn.com
• War Yankee - Overland
• Gagglepod - Once Told, Shared Forever

War Yankee is a Gagglepod Production. Learn more at gagglepod.com.

Discover the fate of Harry Wilson's cavalry division and why it was absent during the opening hours of the Battle of the Wilderness.

It's noon on May 5th, 1864 -- Greenhorn cavalry officer Brigadier General James Harrison "Harry" Wilson started the Overland Campaign with high expectations. Now, after a series of tactical shortcomings and conflicting orders, his actions have allowed rebel forces to approach the Union army almost undetected. To make matters worse, Wilson's entire cavalry division -- over 3,000 men and horses -- are missing. No one has seen or heard from Wilson since 5:00 AM. With the Orange Plank Road now engulfed by an endless column of Confederate infantry, Grant and Meade are desperate to know: Where the hell is Harry Wilson's Cavalry Division?

"My pickets report nothing new from the enemy this morning."
-- Brig.Gen. James Harrison Wilson's last message to Maj.Gen Meade, 5:00 AM, May 5th, 1864

Every episode is a work of passion that requires a lot of coffee. I research, read, visit, host, mix, edit, and produce every episode myself. I would greatly appreciate it if you could do two things for me:

1. Send me a quick note of encouragement at [email protected]. This keeps me going when times get tough!

2. If you enjoy this podcast, please consider supporting the show by buying me a cup of coffee (or two)!

The American Battlefield Trust knows that there is no substitute for experiencing history in the places where it actually took place and has worked to become the only national organization working to save America's historic battlefields today and discover how you can help preserve American history forever. Join me in the fight to save our nation's historic battlefields by visiting the American Battlefield Trust website at battlefields.org.

• Email Us: THE waryankee AT GMAIL DOT com
• All our Show Notes: waryankee.com
• Notable Resources: waryankee.com/resources/
• Buy Me a Coffee - Support the Show
• Good Maps: Union Army Actions in The Wilderness (May 5th, 1864)
• All our Episodes: waryankee.libsyn.com
• War Yankee - Overland
• Gagglepod - Once Told, Shared Forever

War Yankee is a Gagglepod Production. Learn more at gagglepod.com.

Kyle Bondo talks about how life happens when you're making other plans and an update on when War Yankee Season 2 will be released.

Every episode is a work of passion that requires a lot of coffee. I research, read, visit, host, mix, edit, and produce every episode myself. I would greatly appreciate it if you could do two things for me:

1. Send me a quick note of encouragement at [email protected]. This keeps me going when times get tough!

2. If you enjoy this podcast, please consider supporting the show by buying me a cup of coffee (or two)!

An American Civil War history podcast hosted by Kyle M. Bondo that follows the Overland Campaign led by General Ulysses S. Grant as he drives the Army of the Potomac on its 47-day, 113-mile military campaign South against the Confederacy in 1864.

"My pickets report nothing new from the enemy this morning."
-- Brig.Gen. James Harrison "Harry" Wilson's last message to Maj.Gen Meade, 5:00 AM, May 5th, 1864

• Email Us: THE War Yankee AT GMAIL DOT com
• All our Show Notes: waryankee.com
• Notable Resources: waryankee.com/resources/
• All our Episodes: waryankee.libsyn.com
• War Yankee - Overland!
• Gagglepod - Until Every Story is Told!

War Yankee is a Gagglepod Production. Learn more at gagglepod.com.

Kyle Bondo wishes you a Happy New Year and gives you a brief update on what is coming up on War Yankee - Overland in January 2021.

An American Civil War history podcast hosted by Kyle M. Bondo that follows the Overland Campaign led by General Ulysses S. Grant has he drives the Army of the Potomac on its 47-day, 113-mile military campaign South against the Confederacy in 1864.

"Whatever happens, there will be no turning back."
-- Lt.Gen. Ulysses S. Grant

• Email Us: THE War Yankee AT GMAIL DOT com
• All our Show Notes: waryankee.com
• Notable Resources: waryankee.com/resources/
• All our Episodes: waryankee.libsyn.com
• War Yankee - Overland!
• Gagglepod - Until Every Story is Told!

War Yankee is a Gagglepod Production. Learn more at gagglepod.com.

Kyle Bondo starts to explore the first critical events of the Battle of the Wilderness as the Army of the Potomac discovers rebel forces that threaten to cut their army in half.

It's the mid-morning of May 5th, 1864 -- The Army of the Potomac has now discovered two massive rebel forces forming on both sides of Warren's 5th Corps still stung out over 5-miles within the tangles of The Wilderness. Now, as new intelligence arrives, they are becoming painfully aware that General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia has launched a counter-crossing attack along the Orange Turnpike AND the Orange Plank Roads. As Meade falls back into his old Eastern Army habits by going on defense, will Grant be able to finally push the Army of the Potomac into an aggressive Federal position?

"What had begun as a hopeful morning's march was rapidly taking an ugly, familiar turn. Once again, the Union high command had underestimated Lee's audacity."
-- Gordon Rhea, Battle of the Wilderness

"If [this] is what Meade meant by attacking 'at once', as he said he would at 7:30 AM [it's now after 10:00 AM] no wonder Lee was running circles around him."
-- Gordon Rhea, Battle of the Wilderness

"Double-Quick!"
-- Maj.Gen. George Getty, Running to Brock Road Intersection, May 5th, 1864

"We must hold this point at any risk -- Our men will soon be up!"
-- Maj.Gen. George Getty, Arriving at the Brock Road Intersection, May 5th, 1864

The American Battlefield Trust knows that there is no substitute for experiencing history in the places where it actually took place and has worked to become the only one national organization working to save America's historic battlefields today and discover how you can help preserve American history forever. Join me in the fight to save our nation's historic battlefields by visiting the American Battlefield Trust website at battlefields.org.

• Email Us: THE waryankee AT GMAIL DOT com
• All our Show Notes: waryankee.com
• Notable Resources: waryankee.com/resources/
• Good Maps: Union Army Actions in The Wilderness (May 5th, 1864)
• All our Episodes: waryankee.libsyn.com
• War Yankee - Overland
• Gagglepod - Once Told, Shared Forever

War Yankee is a Gagglepod Production. Learn more at gagglepod.com.

Kyle Bondo explores the unforeseen events that transpire in The Wilderness during the early morning hours of May 5th, 1864.

It's dawn on May 5th, 1864 -- Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant, Major General George Meade, and the Army of the Potomac have spent the night in the fabled WILDERNESS. Now, as the morning sun rises on a new day, what started as an easy march out of the thickets quickly spins out of control after a series of unexpected enemy surprises.

"My pickets report nothing new from the enemy this morning."
-- Brig.Gen. Wilson's Scouting Report Regarding Orange Plank Road from Parker's Store sent to Maj.Gen. Meade at 5:00 AM, May 5th, 1864  

"An unconfirmed report placed enemy soldiers on the Orange Turnpike. Concluding that Griffin probably faced an inconsequential rebel diversionary force. [...] I have no intention of modifying my corps' movements."
-- Maj.Gen. Gouverneur K. Warren, Commander, US Army V Corps  

"If they want to fight here, then we will fight here!"
-- Lt.Gen. Ulysses S. Grant

"What had begun as a hopeful morning's march was rapidly taking an ugly, familiar turn. Once again, the Union high command had underestimated Lee's audacity."
-- Gordon Rhea, Battle of the Wilderness

The American Battlefield Trust knows that there is no substitute for experiencing history in the places where it actually took place and has worked to become the only one national organization working to save America's historic battlefields today and discover how you can help preserve American history forever. Join me in the fight to save our nation's historic battlefields by visiting the American Battlefield Trust website at battlefields.org.

• Email Us: THE waryankee AT GMAIL DOT com
• All our Show Notes: waryankee.com
• Notable Resources: waryankee.com/resources/
• All our Episodes: waryankee.libsyn.com
• War Yankee - Overland
• Gagglepod - Once Told, Shared Forever

War Yankee is a Gagglepod Production. Learn more at gagglepod.com.

Kyle Bondo details the Army of the Potomac's first night in The Wilderness and how clouded judgments will lead to trouble in the morning.

It's May 4th, 1864 -- Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant and Major General George Meade have moved the vast Army of the Potomac across the Rapidan River and into the fabled Wilderness. Now at the end of their first day, the Union Army believes they are miles away from any real danger. When they wake on the morning of May 5th, 1864, they will soon discover a very different and dangerous situation that has emerged from the mystifying woods of Northern Virginia.

"There was something about the Wilderness that seemed to cloud 'Yankee Minds'."
-- Gordon Rhea, The Battle of the Wilderness

The American Battlefield Trust knows that there is no substitute for experiencing history in the places where it actually took place and has worked to become the only one national organization working to save America's historic battlefields today and discover how you can help preserve American history forever. Join me in the fight to save our nation's historic battlefields by visiting the American Battlefield Trust website at battlefields.org.

• Email Us: THE waryankee AT GMAIL DOT com
• All our Show Notes: waryankee.com
• Notable Resources: waryankee.com/resources/
• All our Episodes: waryankee.libsyn.com
• War Yankee - Overland
• Gagglepod - Once Told, Shared Forever

War Yankee is a Gagglepod Production. Learn more at gagglepod.com.