The Wabash Inn Mess

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The George Spangler Farm at Gettysburg with Ron Kirkwood

Wade Gish — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 16:03:59 -0500

On this episode of The Wabash Inn Mess, your hosts Wade Gish and Norris Darrell talk with Civil War author and Gettysburg Foundation volunteer Ron Kirkwood about the George Spangler farm, one of the most important yet often overlooked sites on the Gettysburg battlefield. Ron explains why the farm mattered both militarily and medically, and how its history connects to key figures including George Meade, Henry Hunt, Hancock, and Armistead.This episode is a focused look at Gettysburg through one specific property, showing how geography, hospitals, artillery placement, and post-battle suffering all converged on the Spangler land. Ron also shares how his research led to two books on the farm and why preservation of the site matters.Find Ron's books "Too Much For Human Endurance" and "Tell Mother Not To Worry", each telling the story of The George Spangler Farm at:

Follow The George Spangler Farm Facebook Page at:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/465167460222

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"The Thunderbolt Of The Confederacy": John Hunt Morgan With Dr. Jonathan Jackson

Wade Gish — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 09:07:23 -0500

The Men of The Mess are joined this week by the author of "I Rode With Morgan", Dr. Jonathan Jackson.

Dr. Jackson, who sometimes writes under the pseudonym "Alexius Rex" as a tribute to his gaming days, connects with us from his home in Ohio to share the story of two of his ancestors, Lt. Roland Jackson and Lt. Mitchell Stewart II, who rode with the famous (or infamous, depending on your upbringing) Confederate cavalry commander General John Hunt Morgan.

Characterized by some above the Mason-Dixon and north of the Ohio River as a "raider", a "bandit", or a "thief", General Morgan was most definitely a risk taker and not afraid to take the fight to enemy soil. No matter how you classify this cavalier of the South, the adventures he embarked on with his band of loyal troopers have left a distinct mark in the pages of Western Theater lore.

The 20th anniversary edition of "I Rode With Morgan" and all of Dr. Jackson's other literary work, both historical and fiction, is available at most all book retailers, a listing of which (including links) can be found at the author's website:

www.alexiusrex.com

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Bragg Barks, Rosy Runs: Chickamauga with Lee White

Wade Gish — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 08:33:11 -0500

A creek in North Georgia became synonymous with on of the bloodiest battles in Civil War lore, and this week we present our first full episode dedicated to The Battle of Chickamauga.

We are joined on this episode by our friend, Lee White. Lee is an interpretive ranger with the National Park Service and serves in that role at the Chickamauga National Military Park. National Park Service rangers wear many hats (more lately than ever, but that's a different episode for a different day), and Lee shares with us some of his responsibilities and duties there at Chickamauga.

Of course, the discussion centers around what happened on this ground in September 1863 that makes it such an important piece of our history. Hear the story of what has become known as "The River Of Death" on this installment of The Wabash Inn Mess!

Plan your visit to Chattanooga/Chickamauga National Military Park at:

Find information about the preservation of the Chickamauga Battlefield lands from the America Battlefield Trust:

https://www.battlefields.org/visit/heritage-sites/chickamauga-and-chattanooga-national-military-park-chickamauga-battlefield?ms=googlepaid&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23962583936&gbraid=0AAAAADfvU_P__9ay17wZnup5Q1FfzNHu-&gclid=Cj0KCQjwkOvTBhDgARIsAKUNyRuVbefuRjZrOL5Wv_3tBeck0-qLmmhATAh5CZ_UrJGO_8aNxmX35UwaArKqEALw_wcB

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Voces Ex Aevo Praeterito With J. Mark Powell

Wade Gish — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 13:36:33 -0500

"Voices From The Past" indeed....

On this episode of The Wabash Inn Mess, we have the pleasure of discussing one of the most unusual and special works ever presented on our platform.

This week, author J. Mark Powell presents his work "Witness To War: The Story Of The Civil War Told By Those Who Lived It". A very special collection, "Witness To War" is a chronological recount of the war years told exclusively using previously unpublished letters of participants and contemporaries written during the intervening years of 1861-65 while the very cauldron boiled around their camps and homes. This retelling comes together using the voices of nearly 500 participants and persons directly affected by the day to day tragedy of our brother against brother struggle.

This work is a must for your library, and this episode of The Wabash Inn Mess is sure to arouse a curiosity that will not be satisfied until you have closed the back cover. We urge you to start here, and then move on to the pages of "Witness To War" for primary source perspective that cannot be found anywhere else.

Thanks for listening, and as always, don't forget to like, follow, and share The Wabash Inn Mess on Spotify or your favorite podcast platform.

Mark provides links to acquire his book "Witness To War" from various sources on his website:

www.jmarkpowell.com

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https://www.casematepublishers.com/author/wade-sokolosky/

Sherman After Savannah With Wade Sokolosky

Wade Gish — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 11:10:53 -0500

Our guest this week on the mess is North Carolina historian Wade Sokolosky.

Wade joins us to share his work "No Such Army Since The Days Of Julius Caesar", which recounts the events of General William Tecumseh Sherman and his forces as they move out of Savannah, GA following The March To The Sea and head north through the Carolinas with plans to draw Confederate forces away from opposition to General Ulysses S. Grant in Virginia and his operations against Robert E. Lee's ANV.

Wade also tells us of his other publications "To Prepare For Sherman's Coming: The Battle of Wise's Forks" which he co-authored with Mark Smith and "North Carolina's Confederate Hospitals, Volumes 1 & 2". All great additions to our Civil War libraries!

We hope you enjoy this time spent with Wade Sokolosky, and we invite you to like, follow, and share The Wabash Inn Mess on Spotify or your favorite podcast platform.

We also hope that you will utilize the links below to interact with our guest and with our podcast team!

Find Wade's Books at both Casemate Publishing:

and Savas Beatie:

https://www.savasbeatie.com/search.php?search_query=wade+sokolosky

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Opening Manassas II: The Confederates At Brawner Farm with Bill Backus

Wade Gish — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 15:56:55 -0500

Following along with our previous episode featuring Lance Herdegen, this week finds us revisiting The Battle of Brawner Farm. This time we take a look at the telling of the Confederate side of the conflict with co-author Bill Backus.

Our conversation includes Bill's background, the introduction to the concept of co-writing the story of Second Manassas, and the telling of the Confederate strategy involved in the fight.

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The Boss Black Hat Begins Manassas (With A Little Help From His Friend)

Wade Gish — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 17:06:40 -0500

It is with deeply mixed emotions that we bring you this very special episode of The Wabash Inn Mess.

A couple of months ago, the Men of the Mess sat down and talked with Lance Herdegen regarding his study of the Iron Brigade and his newly published book "Opening Manassas" which he completed through an excellent collaboration with Bill Backus. Little did we know at the time that Lance's earthly presence would be lost to us just mere days later.

We will only preface this episode by saying that we hope you find great value and fond remembrance in listening to one of the last, if not the last interview conducted with a gifted historian and author.

We now and will always miss our friend Lance.

Find Lance Herdegen's body of work available from Savas Beatie at:

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The Atonement of John Brooks with James Head

Wade Gish — Sun, 07 Jun 2026 15:36:46 -0500

Much has been made of the aspects of right and wrong during the war between the states. It is impossible to answer many of the moral questions posed 160 plus years ago using the logic of today. In his book "The Atonement Of John Brooks", James Head visits the practice of "an eye for an eye" that existed in many places during the war. Atonement was the representative execution of a prisoner in reprisal for the death of a member of the service who held the prisoner. For example if a Union soldier was killed in a non-traditional combat action, a commander may choose to execute a Southern prisoner in exchange. The practice was meant to keep partisan resistance activities at bay.

We hope that you enjoy this piece of Kentucky Civil War lore as we close out our three part series on rebel partisan ranger activities in Western Kentucky.

James Head can be found on Facebook, and his books can be obtained at:

www.head-book.com

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Visit The Wabash Inn Mess on the web at:

www.cityofclarksville.com

Border Bastion - Clarksville, TN Yesterday and Today with William Parker

Wade Gish — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 08:56:01 -0600

One of the hidden gems of Civil War history lies on the Kentucky-Tennessee border: the thriving town of Clarksville.

Clarksville holds a special place in the lore of Middle Tennessee and the Western Theater, and on this episode of The Wabash Inn Mess, we unfold the tale with Mr. William Parker, Historical Interpreter with the City of Clarksville Parks and Recreation Department. William serves as the host and historical interpreter at the Ft. Defiance (Ft. Sevier) Interpretive Center on the banks of the Cumberland River. The Cumberland played a vital role in the movement and maintenance of the Federal Army during the Civil War, making Clarksville a vital lifeline for the Union and an important target for the Confederacy.

Clarksville has been blessed in the post-war years with development and investment making it an important business hub in Middle Tennessee as well as a fantastic destination for visits of any duration.

We hope you enjoy the story of our neighbor, Clarksville, TN on this episode of The Wabash Inn Mess.

Visit the Ft. Defiance Interpretive Center year-round at 120 Duncan Street in Clarksville, TN.

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The Rangers Last Ride with Derrick Lindow

Wade Gish — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 17:43:37 -0600

This week, we welcome Derrick Lindow back to The Mess to share with us a portion of his work "We Shall Conquer Or Die" concerning the 10the Kentucky Partisan Rangers and their incursion into the largest town in Western Kentucky, Owensboro, and the ensuing fight at Panther Creek that sapped the strength and quieted the legend of Adam Rankin Johnson's feared raiders.

You will enjoy Derrick's telling of the tale relating his research and his boots on the ground observations from the site of one of the largest skirmishes in our end of the battleground state of Kentucky between the Rangers and the Indiana Legion from across the Ohio River in Spencer County. Bravery abounded on both sides, and many a gallant combatant fought for the last time that day.

If you haven't already, be sure to pick up your copy of "We Shall Conquer or Die" and immerse yourself in this chapter of Kentucky and Civil War history. AND - don't forget to add the "Department Number II" podcast to your favorites and listen to Derrick and his co-host Darrell Smith discuss the war in the western theater at length on your favorite podcast platform.

Find Derrick's work at Savas-Beatie...

Find the Department No. 2 Podcast and many other Western Theater tidbits here...

https://www.westerntheatercivilwar.com/

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https://www.facebook.com/p/James-Hesslers-Gettysburg-History-Books-Travel-Podcasts-Speaking-100057577212759/

A Peach in The Orchard with James Hessler

Wade Gish — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 19:35:57 -0600

The Wabash Inn Mess returns from the holiday hiatus with a true Civil War renaissance man - author, licensed battlefield guide, sought after speaker, and podcast host - Mr. James Hessler.

James comes to us fresh off the release of his latest Civil War book available from Casemate publishing, The First Day At Gettysburg, part of the Casemate Illustrated Series.

James is also co-host of The Battle of Gettysburg podcast, audio archived on your favorite podcast platform with recent and new episodes available to view on YouTube.

Our continued delve into Civil War biography continues with this episode as we look deeper into the life and role of the complex Major General Dan Sickles through the lens of James' book "Sickles at Gettysburg".

Mr. Hessler also shares with us from his decades of experience as a Licensed Battlefield Guide at the Gettysburg National Military Park in Pennsylvania. No first time visit to Gettysburg can fully be appreciated without the company of a licensed guide to transport you back to July 1863.

We hope you enjoy as we begin the second half of season 5 of The Wabash Inn Mess.

Connect with James Hessler on Facebook:

Enjoy The Battle of Gettysburg Podcast on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@battleofgettysburgpodcast

Pick-up James' latest work, The First Day at Gettysburg, from Casemate Publishing by going to:

www.casematepublishers.com

And the rest of the James Hessler library by visiting Savas Beatie:

www.savasbeatie.com⁠

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https://www.savasbeatie.com/copy-of-feeding-lee-s-army-of-

Feeding the ANV with Michael Hardy

Wade Gish — Sun, 19 Oct 2025 18:50:52 -0500

This week, The Wabash Inn Mess meets up with North Carolina-based author Michael Hardy to discuss his latest book release, "Feeding Lee's Army of Northern Virginia", available now from Savas Beatie.

In his book, and touched on briefly in our episode, Michael looks into the political and logistical machine that attempted to sustain the Confederate fighting man. Focused primarily on the Eastern theater, our discussion also extends to logistical issues facing the Armies of Tennessee and the Trans-Mississippi as well.

We hope you enjoy this episode of The Wabash Inn Mess. Don't forget to like, follow, and share our content.

Find Michael Hardy's books at Savas Beatie:

northernvirginia/?searchid=0&search_query=michael+hardy

Visit Michael Hardy's website at:

www.michaelchardy.com

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https://sites.google.com/view/aaronscivilwartravels/home

I've Been Everywhere, Man with Aaron Sievers

Wade Gish — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 12:42:22 -0500

Visiting American Civil War sites is a large part of life for our listeners, and we are please to be able in this episode to to introduce you to Aaron Sievers, principal representative of Aaron's Civil War Travels based out of New Market, VA.

Aside from his captivating social media content, Aaron offers guide interpretation for nearly all Eastern Theater battlefields as well as professionally developed presentations for organizations and groups. You will hear some of his stories and his opportunities for engagement in this episode.

Thank you for taking time to listen to our podcast, and we hope that you will explore what Aaron Sievers has to offer for your next Civil War-centered trip or meeting by engaging with his social media accounts or his website.

Also, take time to vote on SPOTIFY about our AI generated theme music. Let us know if you want us to KEEP it or CAN it.

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Extra Billy Makes His Mark with Scott Mingus

Wade Gish — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 12:02:59 -0500

Welcome to Season 5 of The Wabash Inn Mess.

Starting off our fifth series of twelve episodes, the men of The Mess welcome back author and historian Scott Mingus to share the story of his biographical sketch of Confederate general William "Extra Billy" Smith and to remember our friend and esteemed author of many fine works on the American Civil War, Eric J. Wittenberg, who passed earlier this summer after a determined battle with cancer.

"Extra Billy" as a man, a general, and a politician would be considered just as scandalous today as he was in the era of the War Between the States. Yet his leadership record on the field of battle is still a matter of interpretation to the rearward observer. Scott's work will help the reader unravel some of the shadows intertwined around this complex character.

We also revisit the most recent JohnnyCon, a popular part of NashCon, that was held at the Sheraton Music City in Nashville, TN in mid-August. JohnnyCon features exclusively the games designed by respected creator John Hill, focusing primarily on his Johnny Reb rule set.

We hope this episode brings you up to date with Scott and his work, and that you will seek out well-researched and meticulously crafted volumes for your Civil War library.

You can pick up most books by Scott Mingus and Eric Wittenberg on Amazon or Barnes & Noble, but we highly recommend buying directly from their publisher when possible at:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/please-consider-helping-eric-and-susan-wittenberg

Contributions in memory of Eric Wittenberg can be made to your favorite Civil War centered institution, or to help with his mountainous medical and final expenses you can contribute at:

Feel free to contact the men of The Mess with suggestions, criticisms, or questions at:

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It's Your Game with the Hardscrabble Invitational

Wade Gish — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 15:34:19 -0500

We hope everyone is having a great Summer - enjoying beautiful weather, maybe taking a little time off with family, and possibly even doing a little Civil War study or visiting a Civil War related site!

This special hiatus episode of The Mess focuses on pillar #3 of creating your personal relationship with the War Between The States - gaming. We are joined this week by two additional members of our Hardscrabble Invitational gaming group, Brad Butkovich and Cory Ring to talk about developing your own gaming scenarios. We examine the different types of scenarios available: historical battle, campaign, "what if" (or as we like to say "history plus") and fictional scenarios.

We hope that you will find the conversation interesting and helpful as you develop your gaming habits and invite your friends to gather around the table and enjoy the rule set and time period of your choice.

Find The Wabash Inn Mess on the web at:

Reach out with any comments or gaming-related questions for the men of The Mess at:

https://www.nps.gov/misp/index.htm

When Tennessee Invaded Kentucky with Andrew Miller

Wade Gish — Sun, 25 May 2025 12:03:28 -0500

Andrew Miller from Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument joins the men of The Mess for the season four finale.

Andrew delivers a brilliant narrative of the fall 1861 incursion of Confederate troops under Brigadier General Felix Zollicoffer of Tennessee into the Cumberland River basin of south central Kentucky. Zollicoffer and his men were met by federal forces under the command of General George H. Thomas in what would become known as The Battle of Mill Springs, also known as the Battle of Logan's Crossroads.

We hope you will enjoy this final episode of our fourth season as we close out this series of twelve looking at one of many Southern efforts to capture and utilize the resources and manpower of the neutral Bluegrass State.

Thank you for your time and we hope you enjoy each and every session around the battery wagon with The Wabash Inn Mess!

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Echoes in Wool: Discussion of Small Event Participation With The Hosts

Wade Gish — Sun, 25 May 2025 11:02:30 -0500

The convergence of two smaller-scale Civil War Commemorations the third weekend in May (Sacramento, KY and Resaca, GA) lead the hosts to reminisce on the memories of participating in smaller, local, public events.

"Community events". as they can be called, offer great opportunities for interaction and higher levels in intimacy with the public. The generosity of the hosts can also be a great drawing card for participants and attendees alike. On this episode, the men of The Mess share their stories of days spent under canvas at these and other smaller Civil War re-enactments.

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"This Knapsack On My Tired Back" - The Things They Carried with Will Eichler

Wade Gish — Sun, 11 May 2025 11:58:26 -0500

With living history season full on us and many public observances drawing close on the Sumner calendar, we wanted to begin focusing more in-depth on our second pillar of understanding, replicating or "re-enacting".

Many of you will be attending events, both public and living history experience based, and you are either looking to create an impression or fine-tune an existing work in progress. This week we bring in long-time living historian Will Eichler to share some insight into developing the finer points of the kit into both an accurate and serviceable collection of items.

We also discuss important resources available to all of us as students and practitioners of historical interpretation through Civil War Digital Digest and the HistoryFix App. Offering everything from how to's and when to's to documentaries and full length historical films, no period research is complete without using these two well-developed tools. And within this episode, you'll find out how to get a 30% discount (that's nearly half!) on an annual HistoryFix subscription, so listen closely!

We hope you find this episode both enjoyable and informative.

View Civil War Digital Digest content for free on YouTube at:

Once you have evaluated the content, we at The Wabash Inn Mess strongly encourage you to become a subscriber.

You can sign up for the HistoryFix platform by visiting:

https://www.historyfix.com/

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Let's Have A Game with PJ O'Neill

Wade Gish — Sun, 04 May 2025 13:13:38 -0500

Welcome to the after action episode for the 2025Hardscrabble Invitational. The Johnny Reb III group gathered in White House, TN the last weekend in April and played out multiple scenarios that evoked lots of excitement and emotion among the participants.

Our guest this week is gaming aficionado and long-time play tester Patrick "PJ" O'Neill. We talk to PJ about engaging in close combat with the "enemy" and the characteristics of the charge. It's an opportunity for enjoyment and education this week as we discuss Johnny Reb III on The Mess.

Communicate with the men of The Mess at:

https://www.nps.gov/anti/index.htm

Counting the Cost - The Lost at Antietam with Brian Baracz and Tom Clemens

Wade Gish — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 08:35:46 -0500

A battlefield is a self-cleaning organism. Time and elements will eventually erase all trace of what occurred in the maelstrom on hallowed ground. Unfortunately, war doesn't occur in a vacuum. Conflict displaces, spoils, and scars the living in the area where it happens. After the Battle of Antietam in September, 1862 efforts to remove the fallen were undertaken by the US Army and the citizens of Western Maryland so that life could attempt to resume a semblance of what was considered "normal".

The lost at Antietam were buried in place, in singular or mass graves, depending on side and circumstance. A need to identify and locate the remains of those left behind was undertaken by map makers who made an effort to mark as many burial plots and identify as many soldiers as possible. The most famous of these map makers, S.G. Elliott, produced burial maps of both Antietam and Gettysburg, one of which has recently been uncovered and placed on display in the collection in the Visitor's Center at Antietam National Battlefield. Hear the revealing story of battlefield grave maps and the S.G. Elliott map on this episode with our guests Brian Baracz of the National Park Service and Tom Clemens of The Save Historic Antietam Foundation.

Plan your visit to Antietam with:

Support preservation efforts at Antietam by joining SHAF:

https://shaf.org/

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https://www.westerntheatercivilwar.com/podcast

Meet The Department Number 2 Podcast with Darryl Smith and Derrick Lindow

Wade Gish — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 07:33:54 -0500

It's no secret that The Men of the Mess are Western Theater guys. So it's only natural that we take time to recognize one of our favorite listens, The Department Number 2 podcast, which focuses on the developments in the west during the American Civil War.

The hosts, Darryl Smith and Derrick Lindow, join Wade and Norris for an hour of conversation sharing their passion and their vision to inform and educate their listeners on developments in the western southern states from 1861-1865. We hope that you will give them your time and your support to make sure that this important program reaches the maximum number of listeners!

Find The Department Number 2 Podcast at:

Follow Darryl and Derrick at:

https://www.westerntheatercivilwar.com/

Connect with them at:

westerntheatercivilwar@gmail.com

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https://www.facebook.com/TheWabashInnMess

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https://www.savasbeatie.com/when-hell-came-to-sharpsburg-the-battle-of-antietam-and-its-impact-on-the-civilians-who-called-it-home/?searchid=0

No Escape from Hell with Steven Cowie

Wade Gish — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 13:20:41 -0500

On The Mess this week, we take a look at the immediate and long-term effects of the Battle on Antietam on the civilian residents of Western Maryland, particularly those in the picturesque little village of Sharpsburg.

Through extensive research, Steven was able to piece together the story of that awful day in September and it's aftermath, which he presents to us in his 2023 book release "When Hell Came To Sharpsburg". Students of the war understand that scars left behind were far more than just physical, and Steven traces the horror and trauma of the 1862 Maryland Campaign as it plays out in the lives of several families within Sharpsburg and the surrounding area.

You can pick up a copy of "When Hell Came To Sharpsburg" at:

Keep up with Steven via his website at:

www.stevencowie.com

Communicate with the Men of the Mess at:

Find out more about The Wabash Inn Mess by visiting our website:

https://www.blakeleypark.com/

The Siege of Blakely, 160 Years On With Brian DesRochers

Wade Gish — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 09:44:51 -0500

Re-enacting comes front and center this week on The Mess as we feature the 160th Anniversary Event of The Siege and Battle of Fort Blakely at Blakely State Park in Spanish Fort, Alabama.

Our guest is the park's interpretive ranger Brian DesRochers who gives us all of the details you need to know to attend this event, either as a participant or a spectator. We hope that our listeners who are able will take advantage of this opportunity will take advantage of one of the last opportunities to be involved in 160th Anniversary commemorations as 2025 sees them come to a close.

Information on the event and Fort Blakely can be found at:

Battle and Battlefield information is available from the American Battlefield Trust at:

https://www.battlefields.org/visit/heritage-sites/historic-blakeley-state-park

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Address questions, comments, and suggestions to the Men of The Mess at:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Marc-Leepson/author/B001HCXCSW?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2&qid=1743011355&sr=8-2&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

Making Early Late with Marc Leepson

Wade Gish — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 12:52:42 -0500

Have you ever heard of a single battle where both sides were victorious (aside from Seven Pines and Fair Oaks, which were considered one battle but were obviously very different and distinct fights)? On this episode of The Wabash Inn Mess, author Marc Leepson tells us about the July 1864 Battle of Monocacy in which Confederate General Jubal Early won a military victory on the field, but the more overbearing result of the day was a successful delaying action brought to bear by Union General Lew Wallace which helped steal Early's opportunity to invade the nation's capitol.

Marc published "Desperate Engagement" in 2007, detailing General Early's move north and his campaign to sweep Federal invaders from the Shenandoah Valley and his move to demonstrate against Washington DC in an effort to force US forces to relieve some of the pressure on General Lee's Army of Northern Virginia in Petersburg and Richmond. Marc, a Vietnam veteran, has written ten other books covering stories of American History from various eras, as well as been a contributor to many periodicals. His most recent and most frequent work has been writing for The VVA Veteran, a publication of The Vietnam Veterans of America.

We hope that this special episode of The Mess finds a special place in your listening day!

Check out Marc at:

marcleepson.com

Pick up Mark's books here:

And don't forget to support The Vietnam Veterans of America:

https://vva.org/

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Check out The Mess on the web:

https://www.savasbeatie.com/search.php?search_query=bradley+m.+gottfried

Such Splendid Ground with Bradley M. Gottfried

Wade Gish — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 12:56:58 -0500

Topography has often been a determining factor in combat. Especially in the days of foot armies such as were assembled during the American Civil War. It is virtually impossible to understand the circumstances of a battle without fist grasping the terrain and directional flow of the ground involved. This week's guest on The Mess, Brad Gottfried, is an author who has come to be known for his narrated map studies.

Brad has authored or collaborated on over twenty books related to the Eastern theater in the Civil War. His long-term goal is to offer a complete pathway of volumes mapping all major eastern campaigns from the first flashes at Manassas to the dying embers at Appomattox.

Spending an hour with Brad Gottfried this week was a highlight of our season, and we trust that this will become one of your favorite episodes as well!

Find Brad's books, available from Savas-Beattie at:

Follow Brad's blog at:

https://bradleygottfried.com/

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"The Constitution As It Is, The Union As It Was" with Phil Spaugy

Wade Gish — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 12:40:23 -0500

During the Civil War, Hoosiers showed a strong commitment to the Union cause, reflected in Governor Oliver P. Morton's rallying cry "The Constitution as it is, the Union as it was". On this episode, historian and writer Phil Spaugy joins The Wabash Inn Mess to talk about one group of men from Indiana who rose to meet Governor Morton's challenge, the 19th Indiana Volunteer Infantry.

A regiment assigned to what would become the First Brigade of the First Division of the First Corps of the Federal Army, also known as "The Black Hats" and most famously "The Iron Brigade", the Hoosier regiment under the command of Colonel Solomon Meredith would travel east and join the Army of the Potomac. The Indianans would first be bloodied at The Battle of Groveton (Brawner's Farm) and remain locked in recurrent struggle with Lee's Army of Northern Virginia through The Battle of Gettysburg. Heavily engaged during the three days of mayhem in Pennsylvania, The Iron Brigade would breathe it's dying breath as an effective fighting force, continuing on in piecemeal fashion through Appomattox as men and regiments were mustered, reassigned, and replaced in 1864 and 1865.

Phil contributes many articles to various Civil War specific and other general history publications, and also devotes time to providing battlefield tours.

We hope that you will immerse yourself in this conversation and enjoy Phil's knowledge as much as we did.

Follow Phil's blog "Buckeyes, Blackhats, and the Boys of '61" at:

https://pspaugy.wordpress.com/author/pspaugy/Connect with The Wabash Inn Mes at:

Contact The Mess at:

https://dan-masters-civil-war.blogspot.com/

Searching for Stone's with Dan Masters

Wade Gish — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 17:40:18 -0600

Thank you for joining us for the premier episode of season four of The Wabash Inn Mess!

Who better to kick off the new season than the man who turned an interest in a genealogical connection with the Stone's River Campaign into one of the most anticipated and most popular books of 2024, Daniel A. Masters.

Dan's new volume "Hell By The Acre" is already filling space on the shelves of those with a deep thirst for the complete story of the late 1862 campaign in middle Tennessee which culminated with the bloody encounter between William S. Rosecrans and Braxton Bragg near Murfreesboro.

We hope you enjoy this inauguration to season four, as we again attempt to expand our knowledge utilizing the three pillars of Civil War experience (research, re-enacting, and gaming) this time through the lens of the Stone's River Campaign.

You can find Dan Masters at:

You can get your copy of "Hell By The Acre at:

https://www.savasbeatie.com/copy-of-hell-by-the-acre-a-narrative-history-of-the-stones-river-campaign-november-1862-january-1863-1/

Listeners can follow The Wabash Inn Mess at:

And communicate with the men of The Mess at:

www.boft.org/commemoration

A Commemoration in Franklin with Joseph Ricci

Wade Gish — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 13:46:59 -0600

"We will make the fight". - John Bell Hood

The Confederate army allowed to Federal forces to slip away at Spring Hill, which directly led to the cataclysm to follow at Franklin on November 30, 1864. Nearly 10,000 American men and boys became casualties of the last great battle in the West as the Army of Tennessee returned home one last time with the courage of a dying eagle to attempt once again to rip the first Confederate capitol city to fall from the hands of the U.S. Army. November 30, 2024 marks the 160th Anniversary of The Battle of Franklin.

Our guest this week on The Mess is Joseph Ricci, Historian in Residence of The Battle of Franklin Trust. Joe gives us his insight on the lead up to the battle, especially as regards the change in command of the Western Confederate Army in Georgia after the fall of Atlanta; as well as taking individual looks at subordinate commanders in both armies during the campaign.

Special events are planned this week to mark the anniversary, and we hope you will make every effort to join The Battle of Franklin Trust as they observe this somber occasion in memory of the heroes of the fight for North Central Tennessee.

See a list of events at:

Connect with The Wabash Inn Mess at:

https://www.savasbeatie.com/search.php?search_query=david+a.+powell

"You Cannot Qualify War In Harsher Terms Than I Will" - Sherman's Atlanta Campaign with David Powell

Wade Gish — Mon, 18 Nov 2024 13:03:09 -0600

The sentiment "war is cruelty", later refined by General William T. Sherman in his famous quote "war is Hell" had its origins in the Atlanta Campaign of 1864. The arm of total war had the South in its grasp, and the consequences are still a point of bitterness today for Southern folk from Lookout Mountain to the coast of the Carolinas.

Dave Powell, author of the highly-regarded Chickamauga trilogy, as well as "Failure in the Saddle" and "Tullahoma" (with Eric Wittenberg), continues his study of the war in the west with the first of a projected five volume series on the Atlanta campaign - "The Atlanta Campaign Volume 1: Dalton to Cassville, May 1-19, 1864". This initial offering details the campaign from it's inception and step off in pursuit of Joseph Johnston's Confederate forces through Tennessee and Northern Georgia and culminates with the Battle of Resaca, the largest fight of the campaign.

Dave joins us on this episode of The Mess to discuss this latest release and his continued work on the the story going forward. Please follow, like, and share our content. The Wabash Inn Mess is available with new episodes each week on your favorite podcast platform.

Find The Atlanta Campaign and many other works from David at:

Connect with The Wabash Inn Mess at:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Brad-Butkovich/author/B00E6OIISC?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

Gaming Vicksburg with Brad Butkovich

Wade Gish — Mon, 11 Nov 2024 15:32:06 -0600

The Mess welcomed back our friend Brad Butkovich this week to discuss his new collection of gaming scenarios "Forlorn Hope: Regimental War Game Scenarios For The Mississippi River Campaigns of 1861-1863".

Brad has outlined a set of historical scenarios designed for the table top gaming experience that follow Grant's campaign to wrest control of the Mississippi River from the Confederacy. Gamers can play along historical lines or modify scenarios to explore "what if" questions.

Add this volume to your collection of scenario books by shopping Brad's Amazon store at:

Connect with The Wabash Inn Mess at:

https://www.savasbeatie.com/search.php?search_query=chris+mackowski

"A Seething, Bubbling Hell of Hate and Murder" - Spotsylvania

Wade Gish — Tue, 05 Nov 2024 13:17:42 -0600

The latest book from prolific Civil War author Chris Mackowski is our focus on this episode of The Wabash Inn Mess. "A Tempest Of Iron And Lead: Spotsylvania Court House, May 8-21, 1864", currently available from Savas-Beatie, outlines the beginning of the Grant's Overland Campaign and the horrific fighting that characterized the final year of the American Civil War.

Chris is one of the foremost contemporary Civil War scholars who balances his teaching duties at St. Bonaventure University in New York with his passion for keeping ACW history alive. In addition to his teaching and writing, Chris spends time with the Emerging Civil War platform providing multi-media access to the Civil War story. Websites, books, blogs, the podcast - ECW provides the information in a way that fits the needs of every enthusiast and historian.

Collect Chris's written works here:

And browse Emerging Civil War here:

https://emergingcivilwar.com/

Connect with the men of The Mess at:

https://www.savasbeatie.com/search.php?search_query=alex+rossino

September's Song With Alex Rossino

Wade Gish — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 13:17:28 -0500

The men of The Mess are joined this week by our friend Alex Rossino to talk about his exploration of the historical narrative genre with his fiction-aided accounts of the 1862 Confederate Invasion of Maryland. His first work in the Series, "Six Days In September", follows the Rebel army under General Robert E. Lee as it crosses the Potomac River into Maryland and encounters the U.S. Army of General George B. McClellan at South Mountain, Antietam, and numerous skirmishes along the way.

Recently, Alex just published the second release of the series, available from Savas Beatie, giving a look at the struggle in Maryland from the Federal side with "Guns of September".

In this episode, Alex gives a little background on how he came to explore historical fiction, gives us a peek into the work he is pursuing on a single-volume account of the Battle of Antietam, and a special treat reading a selection from "Guns Of September".

We know this episode will be enlightening, and we hope that every episode of The Wabash Inn Mess provides new information and food for thought. Thank you for listening, and don't forget to like, follow, and share The Wabash Inn Mess on your favorite podcast platform.

Find "Guns of September" and all of Alexander Rossino's works at:

https://alexanderrossinocom.wordpress.com/

Connect with The Wabash Inn Mess at:

https://www.savasbeatie.com/contrasts-in-command-the-battle-of-fair-oaks-may-31-june-1-1862/

The Thrill of Victory, The Agony of Defeat with Vic Vignola

Wade Gish — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 10:50:09 -0500

The Battle of Fair Oaks. The Battle of Seven Pines. One fight, two names, two results. Two stories, both explored in the book "Contrasts In Command: The Battle of Fair Oaks" by this week's guest on The Mess, Vic Vignola.

Vic talks with us about how leaders on each side reacted to terrain, opposition, and adversity. Opportunity knocks but once. We explore which leaders were able to respond in ways that led to success and those that missed the mark, leading to defeat.

Vic's book, "Contrasts In Command: The Battle of Fair Oaks" is available from Savas Beatie by following the link below:

You can connect with The Wabash Inn Mess Podcast and the men of The Mess at:

Civil War Talk Enters The Digital Age With Gerald Prokopowicz

Wade Gish — Mon, 07 Oct 2024 14:07:11 -0500

It look nearly 140 years, but the Civil War finally went digital in 2004 during the early days of a new phenomenon called "podcasting". Not long after it's launch, Civil War Talk Radio found it's permanent host, Dr. Gerald (Gerry) Prokopowicz. Dr. Prokopowicz is a professor of history at East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina and has seen the Civil War Talk Radio Podcast shelve some 2,106 episodes to date.

We know you'll enjoy this conversation with the Dean of Civil War talk as much as we did.

Learn more about Civil War Talk Radio at:

www.impedimentsofwar.org

Connect with The Wabash Inn Mess at:

perryvillebattlefield.org

Coming Home - A Return From War and the Birth of Sleettownn

Wade Gish — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 14:56:05 -0500

Our guest on the Mess this week is Bryan Bush, park superintendent of the Perryville Battlefield State Park in Perryville, KY. While many stories are to be told about the 1862 battle itself, this episode takes us off the mainstream path to the tale of the birth, life, and death of the African-American settlement of Sleettown. We hope you enjoy this recounting of the life of the Sleet brothers and their legacy in central Kentucky.

Learn more about Sleettown and the Battle of Perryville at

Connect with The Wabash Inn Mess

https://www.savasbeatie.com/copy-of-strong-men-of-the-regiment-sobbed-like-children-john-reynolds-i-corps-at-gettysburg-on-july-1-1863/

Opening The Ball With John Michael Priest

Wade Gish — Wed, 18 Sep 2024 14:30:58 -0500

The battery wagon pulls into Gettysburg again this week to revisit the largest battle fought on American soil. Day One, July 1, 1863 is our focus on this episode.

Author John Michael Priest joins us to talk about his research and work on his latest book "Strong Men Of The Regiment Sobbed Like Children: John Reynolds' I Corps at Gettysburg on July 1, 1863" (available now from Savas Beatie Publishing). Confusion, chaos, and courage were the rules of the day as fighting erupted north and west of the crossroads town of Gettysburg, PA igniting three days that will live forever in infamy.

Mike speaks on Buford's plan, breakdown of command and control in I Corps due to multiple factors, and the terror inflicted by the railroad cut on both Federal and CSA troops alike. "The Ernie Pyle of the Civil War" ( a sobriquet given by Edwin Bearss) gives us parallels in soldiers' experiences at Gettysburg and and those throughout the war.

Purchase your copy of "Strong Men of the Regiment..." at

Find Mike's other Civil War writings available at

https://www.amazon.com/stores/John-M.-Priest/author/B001K8JMG4?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1726687506&sr=8-1&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

Connect with The Wabash Inn Mess at

⁠https://www.facebook.com/BlakeleyStatePark⁠

Confederate Alamo

Wade Gish — Fri, 13 Sep 2024 08:41:53 -0500

As the sparks of the Great Conflagration faded to ash and embers, flames continued to blaze in the frontiers of the country even after the Confederacy tendered the sword of surrender.

One such place was Fort Blakeley on the Gulf Coast of Alabama, on the banks of the Tensaw River. Our guest this week on the Mess is Brian DesRochers, Interpretive Ranger from beautiful, historic Blakeley Park in Spanish Fort, Alabama. Enjoy Brian's incredible story telling gift as he gives us his background as a Civil War historian, the tale of the Mobile Campaign and the Battle of Fort Blakeley, and the current development and future plans for Blakeley Park.

Check out Blakeley Park and Fort Blakeley at:

⁠blakeleypark.com⁠

Connect with The Wabash Inn Mess at:

⁠wabashinnmess.com⁠

⁠wabashinnmess@gmail.com

Bragg Gains Ground In Kentucky - The Battle of Munfordville

Wade Gish — Fri, 30 Aug 2024 13:10:33 -0500

The Confederate army enjoyed notable successes early on in their 1862 invasion of the Commonwealth of Kentucky with victories at Richmond as well as winning a fight with a new Union Colonel, John Wilder, and his Indiana troops at the small central Kentucky hamlet of Munfordville on the Green River.

Joining us this week on The Mess, Greg Ard and Chris Sanders, members of the Hart County Historical Society, share with us the story of the Battle of Munfordville, their efforts at preserving a beautiful piece of the original battlefield, and they also extend an invitation for listeners of The Mess to attend Hart County Civil War Days September 13, 14, and 15.

Learn more about Hart County's Civil War history at

hartcountykycivilwardays.com

hartcountymuseum.org

You can connect with The Wabash Inn Mess at

Visit us on the web at

facebook.com/thewabashinnmess

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Three Is A Magic Number - Welcome to Season 3!

Wade Gish — Thu, 22 Aug 2024 14:46:16 -0500

There Is No Friend As Loyal As A Book

Wade Gish — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 19:50:21 -0500

Taking its title from a quote by Ernest Hemingway, this final episode of season 2 features a friend who brings to the world of Civil War study many of those loyal books, Ted Savas. Ted is a longtime leader on the historical literary scene, specifically American Civil War content. It was a pleasure to sit down with Ted and discuss how he discovered his Civil War passion, the origins of what is now Savas Beatie Publishing, and how he develops working relationships with so many talented artists in the field of writing. We hope you enjoy this season finale episode, and we'll be back in the fall with more new conversations in season 3 of The Wabash Inn Mess. www.savasbeatie.com Contact us at: www.wabashinnmess.com wabashinnmess@gmail.com

Boots And Saddles

Wade Gish — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 12:07:24 -0500

As you hear the famous bugle call, imagine the tramp of boots, the creak of leather, and the rattle of the bridle and bit. The dispatch has arrived, and the cavalry has orders to screen the movement of the infantry.

This week on the mess, Eric Wittenberg shares his fascination with the cavalry arm of Civil War military, particularly as involved with the battles of Gettysburg and Chickamauga. Eric has also joined with noted war in the west historian Dave Powell and wrote the definitive volume on Rosecrans' Tullahoma campaign which we also discuss at length. Among his newer work, he also partnered with past TWIM guest Scott Mingus to create the award-winning two volume opus "If We Are Striking For Pennsylvania", which is destined to go down in the annals of Civil War study as one of the finest stories ever assembled.

This, episode eleven of season two of The Wabash Inn Mess podcast, serves as part one of our two part season finale. We hope that you enjoy this week's special content and we do ask that you like our podcast on your favorite podcast platform and that you share with your friends.

Find Eric's books at

www.savasbeaty.com

and

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Eric-J.-Wittenberg/author/B001JP1KHM?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1713373418&sr=8-1&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

Connect with our podcast at

and with the men of the mess directly at

Recipe For Hardscrabble

Wade Gish — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 14:32:59 -0500

The men of the mess are back with another conversation devoted to gaming! On the cusp of the annual Hardscrabble Invitational Weekend (which our crew are members of), the focus turns to developing your own gaming networks. We realize that many of our listeners may be new to the world of strategic gaming, so we step back and take a high-level view of what is involved in joining or creating your own gaming society. From starting with a simple interest in history to creating a pathway to put troops on the board, Norris and Chuck share their origin stories as well as tips for novice gamers and curios parties to get themselves involved in table-top miniature combat.

You may direct questions and comments to the messmen at:

Find additional information and resources at:

When Kentucky Was The Wild West (with Derrick Lindow)

Wade Gish — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 13:41:57 -0500

Kentucky was a border state considered to be dedicated to "neutrality" during the Civil War. That may have been the official position of the state government, but as we will learn from author Derrick Lindow on this episode of The Wabash Inn Mess passions of her citizens drove many to take up arms and join the conflict on the home front. Some of the best examples of this passion are detailed in Derrick's new book "We Shall Conquer Or Die: Partisan Warfare In 1862 Western Kentucky".

We hope you will give a careful listen to this episode as we scratch the surface of the story of the partisan rangers who defended or terrorized (depending on where your feelings lie) the area from the Green River to the Cumberland River. Scratched the surface, because to learn the whole story you have to pick up a copy of Derrick's book, available at

You can reach out to The Wabash Inn Mess at:

Also visit our website for links and information:

https://www.alexanderrossinocom.wordpress.com/

Challenging McClellan

Wade Gish — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 10:30:35 -0500

A loaded episode this week features author and historian Gene Thorp as we revisit the Invasion of Maryland, especially Lee's Lost Orders, Special Order 191. We take up the need to go head to head with commonly accepted beliefs that question General George B. McClellan's leadership, especially his reactions to conditions presented to him during troop disposition as well as on the field of battle.

Gene co-authored the book "The Tale Untwisted" detailing the Union response to the discovery of the lost orders with past Wabash Inn Mess guest Alex Rossino, and continues his study of General McClellan and the Army of the Potomac today. For a full study of the import of the lost and found orders, please pick up a copy of the above as well as "Calamity At Frederick" which goes into detail on the Confederate involvement in the saga of General Orders 191. Links to purchase can be found below and on The Wabash Inn Mess Website.

To order "The Tale Untwisted" and "Calamity At Frederick":

Connect with The Wabash Inn Mess at:

https://facebook.com/thewabashinnmess

The Field of Bloody Dice

Wade Gish — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 18:56:55 -0500

This week, we look at bringing historical circumstances to your gaming table with author and researcher Brad Butkovich. Brad has cultivated a passion for bringing historical circumstance and logistical accuracy to the gaming table. And in doing so, he has been able to utilize the research to draft a couple of beautifully crafted battle histories. You'll want to listen to this episode with a pen and pad to jot down some notes related to making your gaming experience more full. www.wabashinnmess.com wabashinnmess@gmail.com

Buried In The Mud Supporting The Structure

Wade Gish — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 13:26:24 -0600

The Wabash Inn Mess spends another week among the ranks of the re-enactors. On this episode, we visit the now retired unit, the 5th Kentucky US Infantry, also known as the Mudsills (known to some of you as "Thomas' Mudsills"). Our guest is the father of the Mudsills, Capt. George Derenberger. George was kind enough to join us via Zoom from his home in Ohio to discuss his 60+ years of Civil War living history, his vision for the Mudsills, and the creation and growth of the unit in the 1960's and 70's.

If you are a Civil War re-enactor, odds are that some part of your unit heritage has been influenced by the Mudsill regiment. We hope that you enjoy this conversation related to times and people past within our hobby, and come to an understanding of the spirit and example that the Mudsills left behind.

https://wabashinnmess.com

That Men Might Be Free

Wade Gish — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 15:20:26 -0600

This episode of The Wabash Inn Mess features guest Bob Bell, historian and re-enactor, a member of the 12th USCT Heavy Artillery living history group. Bob shares with us the story of the United States Colored Troops and the legacy they formed at Camp Nelson, KY.

Bob takes us through the origins of Camp Nelson, it's service as a supply and training depot for numerous USCT regiments, as well as it's accommodation as a refugee camp for those fleeing enslavement and retribution from sectional rivalry.

More can be learned about the USCT and Camp Nelson at the following links:

https://www.nps.gov/cane/index.htm

https://www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/united-states-colored-troops

https://afroamcivilwar.org/united-states-colored-troops-history/

Dealing In Deadly Games with Dana Lombardy

Wade Gish — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 17:44:16 -0600

The third pillar of Civil War study moves front and center this week on The Mess as we welcome game developer and publisher, Dana Lombardy from his home in Northern California. Dana has 5 decades of experience in game creation, development, and marketing as well as being a long-time friend and colleague of Johnny Reb creator John Hill. Dana takes us through the early years of miniature gaming and the evolution of the rules we observe today as well as shares experiences and stories of John and why he was such a well-respected and beloved man. Links for this episode include: https://lombardystudios.com/ www.wabashinnmess.com

A Ford Too Far

Wade Gish — Wed, 14 Feb 2024 14:09:00 -0600

This episode will stand out as special to those of us in the mess as we are privileged to have as our guest our good friend Jim Lewis from Stone's River National Battlefield in Murfreesboro, TN. Known as "Ranger Jim" to many, Jim has been working as an interpretive ranger and educational leader at Stone's River for nigh on 30 years now. Jim is recognized as one of the foremost scholars on Civil War era north central/north western Tennessee. As a matter of fact, it is almost impossible to pick up a Civil War volume written on that aspect of the western theater and not find Jim listed in the acknowledgements.

Our conversation with Jim ranges from the battle, it's aftermath and consequences, the battlefield itself, and preservation and remembrance efforts ongoing to honor the sacrifices of the troops engaged at Stone's River over the New Year's holiday of 1862-63.

Be sure to share and follow our podcast and as always, you can drop us communication at wabashinnmess@gmail.com

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