Battles Of The American Civil War

We dive into John Brown's audacious raid on Harpers Ferry in 1859, a pivotal moment that ignited tensions leading to the Civil War. From his secretive preparations at the Kennedy Farmhouse under the alias Isaac Smith to his bold attempt to seize the U.S. Armory, we explore Brown's plan to arm enslaved people and strike fear into the heart of the South.Subscribe to our YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@bangdangnetwork

This week, we cover General Albert Sidney Johnston, a distinguished military officer who served in the Texian Army, United States Army, and Confederate States Army. From his early days at West Point to his heroic actions in the Black Hawk War, Texas-Indian Wars, Mexican-American War, Utah War, and his ultimate sacrifice at the Battle of Shiloh during the American Civil War, Johnston's 34-year career was marked by courage and leadership. Praised by Confederate President Jefferson Davis as one of the finest generals before Robert E. Lee, Johnston's death at Shiloh was considered a turning point for the Confederacy.Subscribe to our YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@bangdangnetwork

We cover the controversial life of John Charles Frémont, the "Pathfinder of the Rocky Mountains"! From his scandalous beginnings in Savannah, Georgia, to his daring expeditions mapping the American West, Frémont's story is a rollercoaster of adventure, ambition, and drama. As a U.S. Army officer, explorer, California senator, and the first Republican presidential nominee in 1856, he shaped the nation's expansion through Manifest Destiny. But his legacy is a mixed bag—hero to some, villain to others, with a dark role in Native American displacement.Subscribe to our YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@bangdangnetwork

On this episode we take a look at the Union Army POW Camp Douglas. Sometimes described as the "Andersonville of the North" as almost 4,500 prisoners died in the camp. Many of these deaths came from disease from the horrible living conditions inside the camp leading to Camp Douglas having a death rate of about 17%.Subscribe to our YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@bangdangnetwork

We've compiled every battle we have done of the Gettysburg campaign all in one episode! Over 3 hours of the campaign from the first battle of Franklin's Crossing, the largest battle of them all, Gettysburg, up to the last of the campaign, Manassas Gap. Enjoy!Subscribe to our YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@bangdangnetwork

Dive into the thrilling story of James Ewell Brown "Jeb" Stuart, one of the most iconic cavalry commanders of the American Civil War! Known for his daring reconnaissance missions, flamboyant style, and unwavering loyalty to the Confederacy, Stuart was the trusted "eyes and ears" of Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. From his early days at West Point to his audacious raids and tragic death at the Battle of Yellow Tavern, we explore Stuart's remarkable life, military genius, and lasting impact.Subscribe to our YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@bangdangnetwork

We take a look at Ambrose Burnside, who became Commander of the Army Of The Potomac after the dismissal of McClellan. Although well liked by his men, he is generally thought of as an incompetent leader who was promoted above his abilities, which even he admits. After the disasters of Fredericksburg and The Crater he was let go of command of the Potomac and never did anything of note for the rest of the war.Subscribe to our YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@bangdangnetwork

This week we take a look at the landmark case of Dred Scott v. Sandford, which in March of 1857, the United States Supreme Court ruled that African Americans are not Citizens of the United States. The case stems from a slave named Dred Scott who sued his owner claiming that the owner took him out of state and brought him to a free state where he argued he should be free.  Subscribe to our YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@bangdangnetwork

Up next we have Robert E. Lee's "Old War Horse" James Longstreet! Known as one of the best Generals on either side of the war, Longstreet played important roles in some of the most important battles. He is also one of the few that did quite well after the war, as well as one of the few Generals to live into the 1900s.  Subscribe to our YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@bangdangnetwork

This week on Behind The Battles, we cover the most successful General of the Army Of The Potomac, George Meade. Perhaps best known as commanding the army during the victory at Gettysburg, he did not have a good reputation with his higher ups and Grant stationed himself with Meade for the remainder of the war to keep an eye on him. We will cover his pre war life, his war time contributions and of course his later life and death.  Subscribe to our YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@bangdangnetwork

After covering the CSS Virginia last week, we take a look at it's enemy this week. The USS Monitor was the Union's first ironclad warship. While it was famous for battling the Virginia at Hampton Roads, unlike the Virginia, the Monitor went on to fight a couple more battles. We will get into the planning and creation of the ship as well as the battles and her demise at sea.  Subscribe to our YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@bangdangnetwork

On this episode, we profile America's first ever ironclad warship, the CSS Virginia. After the Union army had to burn the USS Merrimack when the Confederates took over the shipyard she was at, the Confederates raised what was left of it and used it to build the Virginia. It became most famous for the first ever battle of two ironclads in the world against the USS Monitor at the battle of Hampton Roads.  Subscribe to our YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@bangdangnetwork

This week, we profile one of the greatest Generals on either side during the war, Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson. Known as one the best tactical generals of the war, he played important roles in both battles of Bull Run and Robert E. Lee considered him his "right arm." As usual we will take a look at his early life and military career, his death at Chancellorsville, and his legacy.  Subscribe to our YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@bangdangnetwork

On this week's Behind The Battles we cover one of the most Union Generals, George B. McClellan! Commander of the Army Of The Potomac and, for a time, the Union Army altogether, he was heavily criticized for his failure to pursue the enemy and take out the Confederates. We will take a look at his early life and military years, his Civil War years, and of course his life after the war up to his death.  Subscribe to our YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@bangdangnetwork

On this episode, we cover what is perhaps the deadliest place you could be during the Civil War, Andersonville Prison near Andersonville, Georgia. It opened in February 1864 and housed Union prisoners of war. Around 28% of the prisoners held at the camp died, mostly to scurvy, diarrhea, and dysentery. It was one truly awful place.      Subscribe to our YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@bangdangnetwork

Behind The Battles roars on with the Confederate's greatest General, Robert E. Lee. We will cover his early life and military career on to his painful decision to choose the CSA over the USA, and his later life and legacy after the war. There are some things you may not have heard before, especially his views on slavery. You don't want to miss this one!  Subscribe to our YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@bangdangnetwork

This week we continue our profile of Ulysses S. Grant and we dive into his presidency including all the good and bad. Spoiler alert: there was a lot of bad. We then take a look at his life after his presidency, his memoirs, and finally his death and legacy.  Subscribe to our YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@bangdangnetwork

We continue with more Behind The Battles and take a look at the most popular General of the Civil War Ulysses S. Grant! In this first part, we will learn about his early life and him first joining the military, allegations of being a drunkard and then emerging as a Civil War hero. Then we see his time after the war and the run up to the 1868 election!  Subscribe to our YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@bangdangnetwork

For this week's Behind The Battles we take a look at the Trent Affair that saw the United States almost get into another war with Britain while engaged in the civil war with the south. After the U.S. Navy seized two Confederate envoys from a British ship, a major crisis broke out that saw Britain preparing for war, while the United States looks for a way to prevent it.  Subscribe to our YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@bangdangnetwork

On April 27th, 1865, the steamboat Sultana which was carrying over 2,000 passengers--many who were Union POWs--exploded near Memphis,TN on the Mississippi River. One of it's boilers overheated and exploded which resulted in the death of at least 1,164 people which remains the worst maritime disaster in American history.  Subscribe to our YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@bangdangnetwork

We move on with more Behind The Battles and this week we take a look at the other president---Jefferson Davis. Serving several high ranking positions in the United States government, when it came time for him to choose a side after his state of Mississippi's secession, he chose to side with the secessionists. We will cover his early life and his foray into politics, becoming president of the Confederacy, his capture and his later life up until his death.  Subscribe to our YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@bangdangnetwork

We have come to end of Abraham Lincoln's story and unfortunately his life. We cover the assassination with the events leading up to it, the search for Booth and the other conspirators and wrap it up by taking a look at Lincoln's legacy as president.  Subscribe to our YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@bangdangnetwork

On part three of Abraham Lincoln's story, we take a look at his presidency. With the nation in war we see how he navigated that as well as some of his policies, appointments, and everything in between leading up to that fateful day at Ford's Theater.  Subscribe to our YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@bangdangnetwork

In part two of the Abraham Lincoln series, we take a look at the lead up to the 1860 election in which Abe is thrust back into the political game. We will also breakdown the election and the prelude to the states seceding.  Subscribe to our YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@bangdangnetwork

We start off the debut episode of Behind The Battles the only way it should be started. We go through the life of Abraham Lincoln in an epic 4 part series! First up in part one, we will cover his early life, his beginnings as a lawyer and his early career in politics. 2025 is going to be HUGE!Subscribe to our YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@bangdangnetwork

THE WAR IS OVER! That's right, we have reached the end of the bloodiest war on American soil. We start off the episode with the battle of Columbus, GA on April 16th, 1865, where Wilson's Raid comes to an end. Some historians have argued that this battle was the actual last battle of the war instead of the widely accepted battle of Palmito Ranch.  Next up is the small battle of Anderson, SC on May 1st. The Union troops arrived in Anderson to look for the fleeing Jefferson Davis, when he was not located they looted the city.  May 12th-13th, The Battle Of Palmito Ranch, the OFFICIAL last battle of the war. This battle basically took place because of a young Union Colonel hoping to make a name for himself and move up in rank according to some historians. A pointless battle, which some consider a post war action, it nevertheless was the last battle of the war. THE WAR IS OVER.  Subscribe to our YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@bangdangnetwork

Even though General Lee surrendered his troops at Appomattox Court House April 9th, 1865, that didn't mean the war was over. On the very same day of Lee's surrender, the battle of Fort Blakeley took place where the Union took the last major Confederate port.  On April 13th-15th the last battle between Sherman and Johnston took place at the battle of Morrisville. After this battle, all hope was lost and Johnston surrenders his army to Sherman just two weeks later, which is the largest surrender of the war. We will cover the surrender in detail.  For the last battle of this episode we will go to Georgia for the battle of West Point on April 16th which is the first part of a two pronged attack. One section of the Union Army would attack West Point while another would move down to Columbia. The point of taking out West Point was to take out the river crossing there. We will cover what some say is last battle of the war next week, which is Columbia.Subscribe to our YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@bangdangnetwork  

The time has come as we have reached the de facto end of the war with General Grant's army finally stopping General Lee. After being on the run since the fall of Petersburg, Lee's luck finally runs out at the battle of Appomattox Station on April 8th, 1865 where he is forced to surrender his army the next day at Appomattox Court House. Although there is still around 160,000 Confederate troops in other armies, the war is basically over once Lee surrenders as the other armies soon follow suit. The official end is near.Subscribe to our YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@bangdangnetwork

We are getting closer to the end with this week's battles taking us one day away from Lee's surrender. At this point, Lee and his army are still retreating hoping to get rations and supplies, but the Union are one step ahead the whole way.  The Confederates suffer a huge defeat in the battle of Sailor's Creek on April 6th, 1865 where a large portion of Lee's Army was captured, including Kershaw and Ewell.  The next day at the battle of Cumberland Church, all hope is lost as he is forced to retreat to Appomattox Court House, only for the Union to make it there first. It is after this battle that Grant sends Lee a letter asking for his surrender, but Lee is quite finished. Not yet.  Subscribe to our YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@bangdangnetwork

We are on our way to the end of the war and in this episode we will see Robert E. Lee and the Confederates start their retreat from Petersburg and Richmond. We have the battle of Namozine Church on April 3rd, the battle of Amelia Springs on April 5th, and the battle of Rice's Station on April 6th.  Subscribe to our YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@bangdangnetwork

The Third Battle Of Petersburg occurred on April 2nd, 1865, and it was essentially the beginning of the end for General Lee's Army. The Union push the Confederate line back and force a retreat of Lee's Army. The Confederates are forced to abandon Petersburg as well as Richmond taking documents and archives with them. The defeat eventually leads to the infamous surrender of Lee's Army at Appomattox Courthouse.  Subscribe to our YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@bangdangnetwork

The Battle Of Five Forks occurred on April 1st, 1865, during the Appomattox Campaign with a Union effort to capture Five Forks to control the South Side Railroad which was one of the last major supply lines and evacuation routes for the Confederates. The win here would cause Robert E. Lee to abandon Petersburg and Richmond and the war is all but over.  Subscribe to our YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@bangdangnetwork

We have officially reached the beginning of the end as we start the Appomattox Campaign. First, we take a look at the small battle of Spanish Fort in Alabama on March 27th- April 8th, 1865 where Union forces attempt to take the fort.  The Appomattox Campaign begins with the battle of Lewis's Farm on March 29th as the Union works to dislodge the Confederate lines at Petersburg and Richmond. This leads us directly into the simultaneous battles of White Oak Road and Dinwiddie Court House on March 31st and the Confederate chances of winning the war are all but over.  Subscribe to our YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@bangdangnetwork

It's the month of March of 1865 and it's only a matter of time before the collapse of the Confederates. We start out the episode with the Battle of Averasborough on March 16th as Sherman was moving his Army towards Goldsboro, he split it in two where Lt. Gen. William J. Hardee decided to attack the force led by Maj. Gen. Henry Slocum. This was a preclude to our next battle of Bentonville.  At Bentonville on March 19th-21st the Confederate forces were entrenched when Slocum came up upon them and the battle began. After Sherman sent reinforcements, all hope was lost for the Rebels.  We finish off the episode at the Siege of Petersburg and the battle of Fort Stedman on March 25th. Confederate Maj. Gen. John B. Gordon, under orders of General Lee, attack the siege lines of the Union at the Fort. This would be the last serious attempt by the Confederates on the Union lines of Petersburg.  Subscribe to our YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@bangdangnetwork

This week, we cover 4 battles as the war winds down. We start in Virginia with the battle of Waynesboro on March 2nd, 1865 where Brigadier General George Custer and his troops defeat Lt. General John Bell Hood and eliminate his army. Hood would not see the battlefield for the rest of his career.  Next, we head to Florida on March 6th with the battle of Natural Bridge. A Confederate force tries to stop the Yankee's from crossing the bridge.  For the last two battles of the episode, we go back to the Carolinas Campaign at the battles of Wyse Fork and Monroe's Crossroads, where Sherman continues his trek through the states to meet up with Grant up north.  Subscribe to our YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@bangdangnetwork

Columbia, South Carolina was captured on February 17th, 1865 during the Carolinas Campaign. Sherman and his troops took over the city where Union troops and some residents got drunk and proceeded to burn the city and raise hell.   Subscribe to our YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@bangdangnetwork

We roll on with the last year of the war with three more battles for this episode!   First up is the battle of Aiken on February 11th, 1865, in South Carolina as part of Sherman's Carolinas Campaign.  We go to Florida for the small battle of Fort Myers on February 20th which is known as the southernmost battle of the war.  We finish off this short episode with the battle of Wilmington which the Union look to take after their capture of Fort Fisher and deny the Confederates of any more ports on the East Coast.  Subscribe to our YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@bangdangnetwork

We start out the year of 1865 and the final year of the war. It gets started with the Second Battle Of Fort Fisher on January 13th-15th in North Carolina where the Union attempt for a second time to take the last major coastal stronghold the Confederates had.  Then it's on to South Carolina with the battles of Broxton Bridge and Rivers' Bridge from February 2nd-3rd. Here, the Union hope to take down the last Confederate defenses standing in their way on the road to Columbia, South Carolina.  For our last battle we head to Virginia for the battle of Hatcher's Run on February 5th-7th during the Siege Of Petersburg as the Union look to cut of Rebel supply lines on the Boydton Plank Road.  Subscribe to our YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@bangdangnetwork

This week, we come to the end of 1864 with the Confederates on the brink of defeat. We end the year with 3 battles, the first of two sees the Union going back to Saltville to try and destroy the works for good with the battles of Marion and Second Saltville. Our very last battle of the year takes us to Tennessee with the battle of Anthony's Hill where the rearguard of the retreating Army Of Tennessee tries and holds off the Union pursuers.  Subscribe to our YouTube! youtube.com/@bangdangnetwork  Subscribe to our Dart League Channel! https://www.youtube.com/@theliquorshelfloungedartleague

The battle of Nashville took place December 15th-16th, 1864 and Confederate John Bell Hood tries one more time to make up for his recent failures in the Franklin-Nashville campaign. Unfortunately for him, it doesn't work out and after this battle his army of the Tennessee was dissolved and he was dismissed from service in early 1865.  Subscribe to our YouTube! youtube.com/@bangdangnetwork  Subscribe to our Dart League Channel! https://www.youtube.com/@theliquorshelfloungedartleague

Coming up this week we have 4 battles as we near the end of 1864. First up we head back to Sherman's March To The Sea with the battle of Waynesboro on December 4th, 1864 where the Union hope to clear the way for Sherman to continue on to Savannah.  Then, it's back to the Franklin-Nashville Campaign where John Bell Hood tries one last attempt to force Sherman out of Georgia at the Third Battle of Murfreesboro December 5th-7th.  At the first battle of Fort Fisher in North Carolina on December 24th-27th, the Union try to capture the Rebel's last major Atlantic port. Union Maj. Gen. Benjamin Butler fails in his mission and is soon let go from the Union Army.  We end the episode with the Second Battle of Fort McAllister on December 13th which was the last obstacle to get to Savannah. We also wrap up the rest of Sherman's March To The Sea with the aftermath and the debate of "total war" or "hard war" in terms of Sherman's strategy on the march.  Subscribe to our YouTube! youtube.com/@bangdangnetwork   Subscribe to our Dart League Channel! https://www.youtube.com/@theliquorshelfloungedartleague

In one of the worst performances by the Confederates in the war, Lt. Gen. John Bell Hood attempts to stop Union Major General John Schofield from retreating to the highly defended Nashville. It failed miserably.  Subscribe to our YouTube! youtube.com/@bangdangnetwork  Subscribe to our Dart League Channel! https://www.youtube.com/@theliquorshelfloungedartleague

This week we take a look at one of the most disgusting acts committed by either side during the war. On November 29th, 1864, members of the Third Colorado Cavalry attacked a village of Cheyenne and Arapaho murdering anyone they could, including infants and women with most being mutilated.  We end the episode with the small battle of Honey Hill on  November 30th, which was the third battle in William Sherman's March To The Sea.  Subscribe to our YouTube! youtube.com/@bangdangnetwork  Subscribe to our Dart League Channel! https://www.youtube.com/@theliquorshelfloungedartleague

We are going back and forth from Georgia to Tennessee in this week's episode. Starting out with the opening battle of Sherman's March to the Sea we have the battle of Griswoldville on November 22nd, 1864.  We move to Tennessee where the Franklin-Nashville campaign continues with the battle of Columbia on November 24th-29th as Confederates under Lt. Gen. John Bell Hood continue to move into Tennessee.  We head back to Georgia with Sherman continuing his march at the battle of Buckhead Creek on November 28th.  Finally, our last battle is back in Tennessee with the battle of Spring Hill on the 29th of November where John Bell Hood attacks once again after the Union's retreat from Columbia.  Subscribe to our YouTube! youtube.com/@bangdangnetwork  Subscribe to our Dart League Channel! https://www.youtube.com/@theliquorshelfloungedartleague

This week, we have three battles in the state of Tennessee starting with the battle of Morristown on October 28th, 1864 in which newly selected running mate of Lincoln, Andrew Johnson, is tasked with removing Confederate resistance in East Tennessee.  Our second battle of Johnsonville on November 4th-5th, takes us back to the Franklin-Nashville Campaign where Nathan Bedford Forrest is still a thorn in the Union's side.  Our last battle of the episode takes us back to East Tennessee with the battle of Bull's Gap, which picks up where Morristown left off.  Subscribe to our YouTube! youtube.com/@bangdangnetwork  Subscribe to our Dart League Channel! https://www.youtube.com/@theliquorshelfloungedartleague

We are nearing the end of October, 1864, and we have another four battles on this week's episode. The battle of Decatur, TN was fought on October, 26th-29th, where Confederate General John Hood attempts to cross the Tennessee River, but the Union has other plans.  For the next two battles, we head back to the Siege of Petersburg where Grant plans another two pronged attack on October 27th-28th. One at Boydton Plank Road to cut off a supply line to Petersburg and the other at Fair Oaks and Darbytown Road to attack the Richmond defenses.  Our final battle we once again head back to Price's Missouri raid and the Second Battle of Newtonia on October 28th. This was the final battle of the raid and pretty much the end of Price's force.  Subscribe to our YouTube! youtube.com/@bangdangnetwork  Subscribe to our Dart League Channel! https://www.youtube.com/@theliquorshelfloungedartleague

Price's Missouri Raid continues on in this week's episode as all four of our battles are basically one big continuation of each other. After these battles, Price and his army are pretty much finished.  Subscribe to our YouTube! youtube.com/@bangdangnetwork  Subscribe to our Dart League Channel! https://www.youtube.com/@theliquorshelfloungedartleague

We have four battles for this week's episode! The first, St. Alban's raid, was the northern most land action of the war. It took place October 19, 1864, on the Vermont/Canada border when a few Confederates decided to rob some banks to fund the Confederate cause.  The next three battles, Little Blue River, Byram's Ford, and 2nd Independence,  are all apart of Price's Missouri raid in which he is still trying to draw Union troops away from the larger campaigns in the east.  Subscribe to our YouTube! youtube.com/@bangdangnetwork  Subscribe to our Dart League Channel! https://www.youtube.com/@theliquorshelfloungedartleague

We have the huge battle of Cedar Creek for this week's episode! Taking place on October 19th, 1864. The Confederates took advantage of early morning fog and surprised the Union troops. However,  Jubal Early failed to press his attack and a devastating late afternoon Union counterattack effectively ended Early's presence in the Shenandoah Valley.  Subscribe to our YouTube! youtube.com/@bangdangnetwork  Subscribe to our Dart League Channel! https://www.youtube.com/@theliquorshelfloungedartleague

We have 5 battles this week starting out with the battle of Allatoona on October 5th, 1894 which started out the Franklin-Nashville Campaign.  The battle of Tom's Brook took place on October 9th as part of the Shenandoah Campaign.  The last three battles all take place as part of Price's Missouri Expedition. Price is hoping to draw troops away from the major campaigns out east. The capture of Sedalia was on October 15th, the battle of Glasgow was also the 15th, and the second battle of Lexington took place October 19th. All of these were Confederate victories.  Subscribe to our YouTube! youtube.com/@bangdangnetwork  Subscribe to our Dart League Channel! https://www.youtube.com/@theliquorshelfloungedartleague

This week we start out with a battle in Florida in one of the last cities held by the Confederates. On September 27th, 1864, Union Cavalry attacked Marianna, FL which resulted in the battle of Marianna.  Next up, Grant sets up a dual assault on the rebels on both of Robert E. Lee's flanks. The first and eastern assault was the battle of Chaffin's Farm on September 29th-30th. The western portion was the battle of Peebles' Farm on September 30th-October 2nd.  Our last battle was in Saltville, VA where the Union attempted to take the town and stop the Confederate supply of salt. However, after the Union retreated, the wounded men left on the battlefield were massacred by the Confederates with estimates of around 50 soldiers killed, mostly from the black regiments.  Subscribe to our YouTube! youtube.com/@bangdangnetwork  Subscribe to our Dart League Channel! https://www.youtube.com/@theliquorshelfloungedartleague