Podcasts about war edwin stanton

On this date in 1863, Secretary of War Edwin Stanton awarded the first Medals of Honor to the six surviving members of Anderson's Raiders.

This Day in Legal History: President Johnson Impeachment InquiryOn November 25, 1867, the U.S. Congress took a historic step by convening a commission to investigate the potential impeachment of President Andrew Johnson. Johnson, who assumed the presidency after Abraham Lincoln's assassination, had clashed repeatedly with the Republican-controlled Congress over Reconstruction policies aimed at rebuilding the South and securing rights for freed slaves. His lenient approach toward former Confederate states and frequent vetoes of civil rights legislation had alienated many lawmakers. Tensions escalated further when Johnson violated the Tenure of Office Act by attempting to dismiss Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, a move seen as a direct challenge to Congressional authority.The commission's work marked the first time Congress seriously considered removing a sitting president, reflecting deep divisions over how the nation should recover from the Civil War. The inquiry led to the drafting of articles of impeachment, ultimately culminating in Johnson's trial in the Senate in 1868. Johnson narrowly avoided removal from office, surviving by a single vote. The case set important precedents for the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches and highlighted the political weaponization of impeachment during times of national discord.Johnson's impeachment inquiry remains a pivotal moment in U.S. legal history, offering insights into the challenges of governing during a period of profound societal transformation.Donald Trump's legal situation is entering unprecedented territory following his victory in the November 5 presidential election. A Manhattan judge has indefinitely delayed sentencing in the hush money case, where Trump was convicted in May of 34 felony counts for falsifying business records. Prosecutors and defense attorneys both acknowledged the complications of continuing the case as Trump prepares to begin his second term. His lawyers argue the case impairs his ability to govern, calling for its dismissal, while prosecutors agree he should have time to present written motions.The case, centered on hush money paid to Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election, marks the first criminal conviction of a U.S. president. Trump pleaded not guilty and has consistently framed the prosecution as politically motivated. His sentencing had been scheduled for next week, but no new date has been set. Adding to the complexity, Trump's re-election raises logistical and political challenges for sentencing or pursuing a prison term. Legal experts had earlier predicted financial penalties or probation were more likely, but these options now seem even less practical. Meanwhile, Trump faces ongoing state and federal cases, including in Georgia and over classified documents, though his presidency gives him limited ability to halt state prosecutions.This combination of legal peril and political power creates a situation without historical parallel, underlining the extraordinary circumstances surrounding Trump's return to the White House. Trump may seek dismissal of hush money case, sentencing delayed | ReutersThe U.S. Department of Justice is making its closing arguments in the antitrust trial against Google, alleging the tech giant unlawfully monopolized online advertising technology. Prosecutors argue Google dominated markets for publisher ad servers, advertiser networks, and ad exchanges, stifling competition. The trial, which began in September, included testimony from publishers who said they felt locked into Google's ecosystem due to its unparalleled reach and influence over advertising demand.Google counters that the government is misinterpreting antitrust laws, focusing on older business practices, and penalizing the company for innovations that shaped the ad tech market. A ruling against Google could force it to sell key assets, such as Google Ad Manager, which integrates its publisher ad server and ad exchange.This case is part of broader scrutiny, including a separate ruling that Google holds an illegal monopoly in online search. While the advertising case is seen as a lesser financial risk compared to search-related claims, its outcome could reshape the company's ad tech dominance. Google has already proposed selling its ad exchange to appease European regulators, though the offer was deemed inadequate by publishers.Google's US antitrust trial over online ad empire draws to a close | ReutersDonald Trump has nominated Republican Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer of Oregon to serve as Secretary of Labor in his upcoming administration. Chavez-DeRemer, a one-term congresswoman and former mayor of Happy Valley, Oregon, would lead the Department of Labor (DOL) in a significant policy shift from the Biden administration's worker-focused enforcement strategies to a more business-oriented approach. If confirmed, she is expected to roll back Biden-era labor regulations, including expanded overtime pay eligibility and stricter rules on gig worker classification.Chavez-DeRemer has a complex political record, blending pro-labor and pro-business stances. Notably, she supported the PRO Act, a union-backed bill opposed by many Republicans and businesses for proposing stricter penalties for labor law violations and federalizing California's strict “ABC” test for classifying workers. This stance earned her the endorsement of Teamsters President Sean O'Brien but has also sparked criticism from business groups, raising questions about her alignment with Trump's agenda. Some industry leaders, citing her support for the PRO Act, have signaled they may oppose her nomination.Beyond labor law enforcement, Chavez-DeRemer would oversee the DOL as it addresses emerging issues such as artificial intelligence's impact on workers. The Biden administration offered preliminary guidance on AI's legal and ethical risks, but substantive regulation remains uncharted territory.Her nomination reflects Trump's intention to appeal to a broader coalition, including workers disillusioned by traditional Republican policies, but it risks alienating key business allies. Trump Taps Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer to Head Labor Department (1)Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s nomination to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in Donald Trump's upcoming administration is generating excitement among mass tort lawyers, who view his consumer advocacy and skepticism of corporate power as a potential boon for their work. Kennedy, a former trial attorney with a background in environmental and personal injury cases, has long challenged the pharmaceutical industry and supported stricter regulations on food and drug safety. His confirmation could signal a shift in how HHS agencies, including the FDA and CDC, regulate products and interact with corporate interests.Mass tort lawyers are optimistic that Kennedy's leadership might weaken defenses used by drugmakers in lawsuits and prompt stricter oversight of harmful products. They also see an opportunity for him to address "regulatory capture," the influence of industry over federal agencies, by closing the revolving door between regulatory bodies and companies like Pfizer or Johnson & Johnson. However, Kennedy's controversial stance on vaccines, including criticism of Gardasil and distrust of immunization programs, raises concerns about his potential policies.Kennedy's nomination reflects an unusual alignment of pro-consumer priorities with a Republican administration, complicating predictions about his influence. While some in the plaintiffs' bar welcome his appointment, others note potential conflicts with traditional GOP positions that favor corporate interests. Trump's own unpredictability adds uncertainty about how much leeway Kennedy will have to reshape health regulations. If confirmed, Kennedy would oversee more than 80,000 employees and could influence decisions on drug approvals, liability shields, and existing regulatory frameworks, possibly creating new pathways for litigation against corporate defendants.RFK Jr. as Health Chief Excites Mass Tort Lawyers Eager to Sue This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe

“It has been said critically that there is a  tendency in many armies to spend the peace time studying how to fight the last war.”  January-February 1929, The Military Engineer, “Some Notes on the World War” by J. L. Schley (Lieutenant Colonel, Corps of Engineers), pg. 55, col. 1L I read the State of the Union address and will give my thoughts. ““Did you ever in all your life see the head of a human being which so closely resembled that of a cod fish?” “He is not responsible for his head or his face. But why do you say he is a fraud? The newspapers call him a reformer, and give him credit for great efficiency.” “I deny your conclusions,” he replied. “A man of fifty is responsible for his face! Yes, I know he is courting the newspapers: that proves him a humbug and presumptively a fraud.” A few months later the official in question was found guilty by a court-martial of peculation and fraud in the management of his bureau and dishonorably expelled from the service.”  -Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, quoted by Lucius Crittenden, Recollections of President Lincoln and His Administration

We have another Andrew Johnson-related “this day in legal history” for today – on May 26 in 1868, the impeachment trial of President Andrew Johnson concluded without conviction. In 1868, President Johnson faced impeachment, and his fate rested on a single vote in the Senate trial. Johnson had become president after Abraham Lincoln's assassination and had a strained relationship with Republican leaders, particularly the Radical Republicans. The House of Representatives impeached Johnson on charges of violating the Tenure of Office Act by removing Secretary of War Edwin Stanton without approval. The Senate trial required a two-thirds majority to convict Johnson.Senator Edmund Ross of Kansas, a Republican, cast the deciding vote. It was expected that Ross would vote against Johnson, but to the surprise of many, he voted "Not guilty." The Radical Republicans requested an adjournment, and the trial concluded on May 26 with failed votes on two more articles.The controversy surrounding Ross's vote centers on why he changed his mind. Some speculate that he may have been influenced by a $150,000 slush fund set up by Johnson's supporters. However, there is evidence that Ross's vote may not have been crucial, as at least four other senators were prepared to oppose conviction if necessary.Skadden, one of the largest law firms in the US, has announced a new policy requiring lawyers to work in the office four days a week. Previously, attorneys were required to be in the office only on Tuesdays through Thursdays. The firm stated that the modified hybrid work model aims to leverage the benefits of remote work while fostering innovation and professional development through increased in-person collaboration. Other prestigious law firms like Davis Polk & Wardwell, Milbank, and Simpson Thacher have already implemented similar office attendance policies. Some firms, such as Simpson Thacher and Sidley Austin, have even threatened to withhold bonus money from associates who do not comply with the office attendance requirements. The shift in policies reflects a power shift in the legal industry, with employers holding more sway due to economic conditions and cost-cutting measures. Younger lawyers, in particular, prefer flexible work arrangements, and a significant number would consider leaving their current jobs for opportunities with greater remote work options. Hybrid work arrangements have become prevalent across industries, with companies like Starbucks, Amazon, and Walt Disney implementing similar policies. However, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon has expressed skepticism about remote work, stating that it doesn't work well for younger staff and management roles.Skadden Forces Lawyers Back to Offices Four Days Per Week (1)Stewart Rhodes, the founder and leader of the Oath Keepers, has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for his involvement in a plot to keep former President Donald Trump in power after losing the 2020 election. Another member of the Oath Keepers, Kelly Meggs, the leader of the Florida contingent, received a 12-year prison sentence. These are the first sentences for seditious conspiracy in over a decade. The judge emphasized that Rhodes' actions posed a threat to democracy and the fabric of the country, and he expressed concerns about future election-related violence. Rhodes was convicted of seditious conspiracy by a Washington, DC, jury in November, and the judge ruled that his actions amounted to domestic terrorism. Prosecutors had requested a 25-year prison sentence for Rhodes, while Meggs showed contrition and received a lesser sentence due to his lesser role in the conspiracy. Rhodes, before his sentencing, claimed to be a political prisoner and repeated false allegations about the 2020 election. The sentencing is seen as having a chilling effect on extremist groups, and Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn stated that he hopes former President Trump will be held accountable next.Stewart Rhodes: Oath Keepers leader sentenced to 18 years in prison for plot to keep Trump in power | CNN PoliticsThe Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has announced plans to restrict the growth of large banks and potentially force them to sell assets if they fail to address ongoing issues. The decision follows concerns raised by acting Comptroller Michael Hsu that certain banks are becoming "too big to manage." The OCC intends to use various measures against banks that receive poor management grades, fail to address problems identified in enforcement actions, or face multiple enforcement actions over three years. These measures could include increasing capital and liquidity levels, limiting expansion plans, or canceling dividend payments. In severe cases, the OCC may consider mandating banks to reduce their asset size, divest subsidiaries or business lines, or exit certain markets. The policy aims to ensure that deficiencies are identified and that banks are given opportunities to rectify them. The new enforcement policy comes at a time when U.S. regulators are sending mixed signals regarding allowing further consolidation in the banking industry. Some regulators, such as Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Rohit Chopra, argue for dismantling large banks that pose risks to the economy, while others, including Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, suggest that increased merger activity may be necessary to strengthen the financial system.Big Banks With ‘Persistent Weaknesses' Targeted for BreakupHouse Republicans are preparing to introduce a tax package that reveals divisions within the caucus and provides insights into the policy approach of the new Ways and Means Committee chairman. The economic package, set to be unveiled in early June, is expected to include measures such as research and development tax breaks, full bonus depreciation, and interest expense deductions. Lawmakers are vying to ensure their priorities are included in the package, with potential measures including lifting the state and local tax deduction cap and changes to the Child Tax Credit. Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith has shown interest in the Child Tax Credit, and the bill will provide an indication of his stance on various tax issues. The package will need to garner enough votes from the caucus to pass the House. Republican lawmakers have been discussing potential provisions, including individual tax relief and increasing the 1099-K tax reporting threshold. There is also support for a version of the Child Tax Credit to be included, as it expired in 2021. The inclusion of some Child Tax Credit provisions would signal willingness to collaborate with Democrats. Additionally, Republican lawmakers from high-tax states are meeting with Smith to address the cap on state and local tax deductions. The caucus has not decided on its position if the package does not address the SALT cap, but it remains an important issue for them.SALT Cap Tweak, Child Tax Credit in the Mix for GOP Tax Package Get full access to Minimum Competence - Daily Legal News Podcast at www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe

As the Winter winds down and Spring can be heard around the bend, we would like to thank those of you who have shown your appreciation by becoming a Patron. And we hope that, over time, we will see your name on our roster sheet over at https://www.patreon.com/addressinggettysburg   Matthew Atkinson, Gettysburg National Military Park In 1862, the Union Navy suffered a crushing defeat against the CSS Virginia ironclad ram. Secretary of War Edwin Stanton turned to Charles Ellet to develop a Ram Fleet to counter the Confederate's technological advances. Along with his son and brother, the Ellet family helped turn the tide on the Mississippi River for the Union and had a few adventures at the same time! PRODUCER'S NOTE: The audio in this is a bit echoey. This is because the microphone was set up on the podium, but the speaker did not speak from the podium as planned. Once he started, I could not interrupt and tell him to move to the microphone. At points you will hear him more clearly as he goes back to the podium to read something. This is the beauty of documenting a moment, rather than producing a moment. 

Listen now: wondery.fm/1865season2April 15, 1865. President Lincoln is dead and the country in turmoil.Secretary of War Edwin Stanton takes control, determined to bring the assassin to justice—but the hunt for John Wilkes Booth isn’t all that grips Stanton.Lincoln’s successor, Vice President Andrew Johnson, is likely to bend to southern interests and undo the very progress for which Lincoln died. Edwin Stanton must employ every bit of political wile he can muster to secure the future of the freed slaves, and the nation.Consumed by his conviction, Stanton will betray his friends, his honor, and the very constitution he is sworn to protect, all to steer the country towards justice.***1865 is an Airship production. Support this show to get early, ad-free access to episodes and more.

April 15, 1865. President Lincoln is dead and the country in turmoil.Secretary of War Edwin Stanton takes control, determined to bring the assassin to justice—but the hunt for John Wilkes Booth isn’t all that grips Stanton.Lincoln’s successor, Vice President Andrew Johnson, is likely to bend to southern interests and undo the very progress for which Lincoln died. Edwin Stanton must employ every bit of political wile he can muster to secure the future of the freed slaves, and the nation.Consumed by his conviction, Stanton will betray his friends, his honor, and the very constitution he is sworn to protect, all to steer the country towards justice.***1865 is an Airship production. Support this show to get early, ad-free access to episodes and more.

Listen now: wondery.fm/1865season2April 15, 1865. President Lincoln is dead and the country in turmoil.Secretary of War Edwin Stanton takes control, determined to bring the assassin to justice—but the hunt for John Wilkes Booth isn’t all that grips Stanton.Lincoln’s successor, Vice President Andrew Johnson, is likely to bend to southern interests and undo the very progress for which Lincoln died. Edwin Stanton must employ every bit of political wile he can muster to secure the future of the freed slaves, and the nation.Consumed by his conviction, Stanton will betray his friends, his honor, and the very constitution he is sworn to protect, all to steer the country towards justice.***1865 is an Airship production. Support this show to get early, ad-free access to episodes and more.

Listen now: wondery.fm/1865season2April 15, 1865. President Lincoln is dead and the country in turmoil.Secretary of War Edwin Stanton takes control, determined to bring the assassin to justice—but the hunt for John Wilkes Booth isn’t all that grips Stanton.Lincoln’s successor, Vice President Andrew Johnson, is likely to bend to southern interests and undo the very progress for which Lincoln died. Edwin Stanton must employ every bit of political wile he can muster to secure the future of the freed slaves, and the nation.Consumed by his conviction, Stanton will betray his friends, his honor, and the very constitution he is sworn to protect, all to steer the country towards justice.***1865 is an Airship production. Support this show to get early, ad-free access to episodes and more.

Listen now: wondery.fm/1865season2April 15, 1865. President Lincoln is dead and the country in turmoil.Secretary of War Edwin Stanton takes control, determined to bring the assassin to justice—but the hunt for John Wilkes Booth isn’t all that grips Stanton.Lincoln’s successor, Vice President Andrew Johnson, is likely to bend to southern interests and undo the very progress for which Lincoln died. Edwin Stanton must employ every bit of political wile he can muster to secure the future of the freed slaves, and the nation.Consumed by his conviction, Stanton will betray his friends, his honor, and the very constitution he is sworn to protect, all to steer the country towards justice.***1865 is an Airship production. Support this show to get early, ad-free access to episodes and more.

Listen now: wondery.fm/1865season2April 15, 1865. President Lincoln is dead and the country in turmoil.Secretary of War Edwin Stanton takes control, determined to bring the assassin to justice—but the hunt for John Wilkes Booth isn’t all that grips Stanton.Lincoln’s successor, Vice President Andrew Johnson, is likely to bend to southern interests and undo the very progress for which Lincoln died. Edwin Stanton must employ every bit of political wile he can muster to secure the future of the freed slaves, and the nation.Consumed by his conviction, Stanton will betray his friends, his honor, and the very constitution he is sworn to protect, all to steer the country towards justice.***1865 is an Airship production. Support this show to get early, ad-free access to episodes and more.

Secretary of War Edwin Stanton returns in Season Two, still fighting to carry forward President Lincoln’s legacy. To finish the job of Reconstruction, Stanton joins with newly elected President Ulysses S. Grant to fight a political battle in Washington and win a war against a menacing threat wreaking havoc all across the South: the Ku Klux Klan. Heavily researched, this historical political thriller podcast is an audio drama that explores America’s darkest hours. You will be astonished—and all of it is based on true events.

Historian and Librarian Iris Nelson details the interesting story of COL George V. Rutherford and his duties on the night that Abraham Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth. After being called to the house of Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, COL Rutherford was ordered to the Peterson House where Lincoln was dying from his wound. Nelson discusses the night of April 14, 1865 and the early morning hours of the next day. Rob and Iris detail the assassination attempt on Secretary of State William Seward and the gruesome scene left by the assailant Lewis Powell. The discussion covers COL Rutherford being ordered by Stanton to place silver half-dollars on Lincoln's eyes after his death at 7:22 am on April 15, 1865 and the COL accompanying the body of the President to the White House. The talk includes the history behind the ancient funerary tradition of placing obols (coins) on the eyes of the dead. Iris also speaks about the military tribunal that convicted Mary Surratt and the other conspirators. Mary Surratt was the first woman in the history of the United States to be executed by the U.S. Government. She explains the connection of Orville Hickman Browning of Quincy to Lincoln and his role after the assassination in the Surratt case.HOST: Rob MellonFEATURED BREW: Newcastle Brown Ale (Lagunitas Brewing Company, California)MUSIC: Bones Fork

While Booth and Herold hurry toward their first destination, Washington descends into the chaos behind them. Ford's theatre is mayhem as the audience learns of the attack on President Lincoln. Secretary of War Edwin Stanton rushes around the city to discover the extent of the bloodshed and officially begins the manhunt for John Wilkes Booth. For more details, please visit www.blackbarrelmedia.com. Our social media pages are: @blackbarrelmedia on Facebook and Instagram, and @bbarrelmedia on Twitter.

April 15, 1865. President Lincoln is dead and the country in turmoil. Secretary of War Edwin Stanton takes control, determined to preserve Lincoln’s legacy.  This story comes to us from 1865, an Airship production. Heavily researched, this historical political thriller podcast is an audio drama that explores America’s darkest hours. You will be astonished—and all of it is based on true events.  Starring Jeremy Schwartz as Edwin Stanton. Also featuring: Lindsay Graham, Pam Dougherty, Matthew Gray, Didi Archilla, Montgomery Sutton, Ian Ferguson, Taylor Harris, Michael Tatum, Reed Birney, Jessica Renee Russell, Aaron Roberts, Bruce Elliott, David Coffee Created by Steven Walters and Erik Archilla Written and directed by Steven Walters Executive Producer: Lindsay Graham Co-executive Producers: Erik Archilla, Robert McCollum, and Steven Walters Music and Sound Design by Lindsay Graham To find out more about 1865, go to 1865podcast.com, or check them out on Facebook and Twitter. New episodes air weekly and look for special “Inside the Episode” interviews with the writers and producers of the series to find out more about the real history behind 1865.

1865 premieres June 18th.April 15, 1865. President Lincoln is dead and the country in turmoil. Secretary of War Edwin Stanton takes control, determined to stop President Johnson from destroying Lincoln’s legacy.Heavily researched, this historical political thriller podcast is an audio drama that explores America’s darkest hours. You will be astonished—and all of it is based on true events.***1865 is an Airship production. Support this show to get early, ad-free access to episodes and more.

April 15, 1865. President Lincoln is dead and the country in turmoil. Secretary of War Edwin Stanton takes control, determined to bring the assassin to justice.Heavily researched, this historical political thriller is an audio drama that explores America’s darkest hours. The story is astonishing—and all of it is based on true events. You can listen to new weekly episodes of 1865 exclusively on Stitcher Premium. For a free month of Stitcher Premium, go to stitcherpremium.com/1865 and use promo code '1865'.

April 15, 1865. President Lincoln is dead and the country in turmoil. Secretary of War Edwin Stanton takes control, determined to bring the assassin to justice.Heavily researched, this historical political thriller is an audio drama that explores America’s darkest hours. The story is astonishing—and all of it is based on true events. You can listen to new weekly episodes of 1865 exclusively on Stitcher Premium. For a free month of Stitcher Premium, go to stitcherpremium.com/1865 and use promo code '1865'.

Episode 4: Ohio v. Civil War (Edwin Stanton). Alex speaks with author Walter Stahr (www.walterstahr.com) about his acclaimed 2017 book Stanton: Lincoln’s War Secretary and the life of Stubenville, Ohio’s Edwin Stanton. Stanton, was the Secretary of War during the U.S. Civil War and a member of President Abraham Lincoln’s “Team of Rivals.” Stahr walks us through Stanton’s rise from a poor teen in Eastern Ohio to the savior of the Union Army. We look at his rapid rise as a lawyer in the Buckeye State to become Attorney General of the US under President Buchanan. Cliff Eckle from the Ohio History Connection joins us to talk about the extensive collections at the Ohio History Center and Stanton’s transformative years at the War Department. (28:00) Don’t forget to donate to the Ohio History Connection on Giving Tuesday, November 27th, click on www.ohiohistory.org to give! Join us as we see the Civil War through the eyes of the workaholic Stanton and we’re bedside for the tragic death of President Lincoln. Walter Stahr guides us through the famous manhunt for Lincoln’s killer and his co-conspirators and why Secretary Stanton was the cause of the impeachment of President Andrew Johnson. Buy Walter Stahr’s book for the holidays (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MQFGW3M/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1 ). Rate/Review the show, email us at ohiovtheworld@gmail.com

On March 24 and noon, Bruce M. Venter delivered a Banner Lecture entitled "Kill Jeff Davis: The Kilpatrick-Dahlgren Raid on Richmond in 1864." The ostensible goal of the Kilpatrick-Dahlgren raid was to free some 13,000 Union POWs held in Richmond. But sinister orders found on the dead body of the raid’s subordinate commander, Col. Ulric Dahlgren, pointed to a plot to capture or kill Confederate president Jefferson Davis and set the capital ablaze. Bruce Venter’s new book delves into these areas and more as he describes the political maneuvering orchestrated by Brig. Gen. Judson Kilpatrick to get the raid approved by President Abraham Lincoln and Secretary of War Edwin Stanton. Included is a new look at the authorship of the infamous “Dahlgren Papers.” Fresh evidence on the identity of the African American guide, hanged by Dahlgren, is also revealed. And new research shows that Richmond was not defended by only “old men and young boys” when Kilpatrick and Dahlgren attacked the city. In the end, various myths and legends surrounding the raid are exposed and put to rest.

On March 24 , 2016, Bruce M. Venter delivered a Banner Lecture entitled "Kill Jeff Davis: The Kilpatrick-Dahlgren Raid on Richmond in 1864." The ostensible goal of the Kilpatrick-Dahlgren raid was to free some 13,000 Union POWs held in Richmond. But sinister orders found on the dead body of the raid's subordinate commander, Col. Ulric Dahlgren, pointed to a plot to capture or kill Confederate president Jefferson Davis and set the capital ablaze. Bruce Venter's new book delves into these areas and more as he describes the political maneuvering orchestrated by Brig. Gen. Judson Kilpatrick to get the raid approved by President Abraham Lincoln and Secretary of War Edwin Stanton. Included is a new look at the authorship of the infamous “Dahlgren Papers.” Fresh evidence on the identity of the African American guide, hanged by Dahlgren, is also revealed. And new research shows that Richmond was not defended by only “old men and young boys” when Kilpatrick and Dahlgren attacked the city. In the end, various myths and legends surrounding the raid are exposed and put to rest. The content and opinions expressed in these presentations are solely those of the speaker and not necessarily of the Virginia Museum of History & Culture.

August 24, 2015 - "What is worse? A confederate con man claiming he was Lincoln's spy throughout the Civil War, or the Union veteran who pursed his claim all the way to the Supreme Court?" That's the central question of Jane Singer's book, Lincoln's Secret Spy: The Civil War Case that Changed the Future of Espionage. In it, she introduces us to William Alvin Lloyd. Con man, bigamist, charlatan, Lloyd hobbled out of the defeated Confederacy and into the capital of the newly re-United States with a claim that made people listen: The government owed him money for serving as Abraham Lincoln's covert operative. John Wilkes Booth had shot down the Great Emancipator just a month earlier in April 1865, and couldn't refute the story. So, armed with Lincoln's signature on a travel pass and a skill for duping people -- including no less than Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, who was at the president's side when he died -- Lloyd teamed up with lawyer Enoch Totten, who'd served in the Union Army during the conflict. The story of their conspiracy to defraud the American people is brought to us by my guest, Jane Singer, and her co-author, John Stewart. Jane is a Civil War scholar and author of The Confederate Dirty War: Arson, Bombings, Assassination and Plots for Chemical and Germ Attacks on the Union, the basis of the History Channel special, Civil War Terror. You can follower her at Facebook.com/JaneSingerAuthor or @JaneBSinger1 on Twitter. Her book is more than a tale of a long-ago fraud. The Supreme Court's ruling in Totten v. United States is a legal precedent that affects our clandestine operatives to this day. Here's my conversation with Jane about this intricate tale of espionage and lies.

President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth, a southern sympathizer and a self-proclaimed modern-day Brutus, on April 14th, 1865 (five days after the end of the Civil War). Booth snuck into Lincoln's viewing Booth at the Ford's Theater while Lincoln was watching "Our American Cousin" and shot him in the back of the head. Booth then jumped down onto the stage and ran out the back door. The ensuing manhunt eventually caught up with him in the swamps of the Potomac River. He was shot, and his co-conspirators were hanged.The event has many interesting stories associated with it:Lincoln had a dream in which he walked into the East Room of the White House and saw a casket. He asked the soldiers why there was a casket and the soldiers told him that the President had been assassinated. He had the dream three days before being assassinated.Robert Todd Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln's son, stood by his father's body as he passed away. Strangely, Robert Todd Lincoln would also stand by the sides of Presidents Garfield and McKinley (both shot by assassins) as they lay dying.Robert Todd Lincoln once fell onto the train tracks but was saved by Edwin Booth, John's brother.Boston Corbett, the soldier who fatally wounded Booth, shot him in the exact same spot that Booth shot Lincoln. There are also several conspiracy theories about the Lincoln Assassination:Vice President Johnson indirectly communicated with Booth on the day of the assassination. He stood to gain the most from the death of Lincoln.Confederate Secretary of State Judah Benjamin might have ordered the assassination of the opposing head of state for tactical reasons. Benjamin destroyed all of his records after the surrender, and then fled to England and never returned.Secretary of War Edwin Stanton disliked Lincoln for his moderate stance on many issues. Stanton prevented Ulysses Grant (and his military escort) from attending "Our American Cousin" with Lincoln (and potentially saving his life). He also lowered security on the bridge that Booth used to flee into Maryland. He also destroyed a few pages of Booth's diary before it was used as evidence in court. For more information, read:The American Presidents by David WhitneyManhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer (The History Channel)The Greatest Presidential Stories Never Told by Rick Beyer