Stories of the Civil War

The Great Locomotive Chase: A Mission that Led to the First Medals of Honor

In the spring of 1862, a team of Union spies went deep behind Confederate lines with an audacious plan: steal a locomotive, destroy a vital railway, and cripple the Southern war effort. What followed was the Great Locomotive Chase, a nearly 90-mile pursuit that pitted daring saboteurs against a relentlessly determined train conductor. This is the story of the Andrews Raid—a mission that failed in every objective but became an iconic legend of the Civil War, leading to the first awards of the Medal of Honor and inspiring one of the greatest silent films ever made Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/stories-of-the-civil-war--6675279/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/stories-of-the-civil-war--6675279/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss].

The Thunderbolt Crosses the Ohio: Morgan's Great Raid of 1863

In the desperate summer of 1863, with the Confederacy facing defeats at Gettysburg and Vicksburg, Brigadier General John Hunt Morgan—the "Thunderbolt of the Confederacy"—was ordered to create a diversion in Kentucky. But Morgan had a grander, more reckless plan. Defying direct orders, he led over 2,000 cavalrymen across the Ohio River on a thousand-mile raid through Indiana and Ohio, seeking to bring the terror of war directly to the Northern home front. This episode tells the story of that legendary ride: a tale of audacious plunder, widespread panic, a relentless Union pursuit, and the spectacular, strategically bankrupt failure that became known as Morgan's Great Raid. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/stories-of-the-civil-war--6675279/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/stories-of-the-civil-war--6675279/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss].

The Fighting McCooks: Ohio's Civil War Dynasty

Fifteen men. Two families. One war. The McCooks of Ohio—known as “The Fighting McCooks”—sent fathers and sons alike to the Civil War, where their courage and sacrifice became legend. This is their story of duty, loss, and legacy. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/stories-of-the-civil-war--6675279/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/stories-of-the-civil-war--6675279/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss].

Patrick Cleburne: The Stonewall of the West

In this episode, we explore the fascinating life of Confederate General Patrick Cleburne, whose story stretches from the green hills of Ireland to the blood-soaked battlefields of Tennessee. Known affectionately as the "Stonewall of the West," Cleburne rose from immigrant pharmacist to one of the Confederacy's most respected and feared commanders. Through vivid storytelling, we retrace his incredible journey—his courageous leadership at Shiloh, Chickamauga, and Ringgold Gap, his bold yet controversial proposal to arm enslaved men, and his tragic final moments at the Battle of Franklin. Join us as we examine the complexity of a general who defied convention, inspired fierce loyalty, and ultimately gave his life for the cause he adopted. Whether you're a seasoned history enthusiast or new to Civil War stories, Patrick Cleburne's life offers a profound glimpse into courage, conviction, and the difficult choices made amid America's deadliest conflict. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/stories-of-the-civil-war--6675279/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/stories-of-the-civil-war--6675279/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss].

Salt and Fire: The Second Saltville Raid (Saltville Raids, Part 2)

In this gripping second episode of The Saltville Raid, we follow General George Stoneman’s relentless cavalry raid through snowbound Appalachia in December 1864. With brutal efficiency and poetic devastation, Union forces descend upon the Confederate saltworks at Saltville, Virginia—obliterating the South’s last critical supply of salt. Told with immersive detail and haunting firsthand accounts, this episode captures the raid’s tactical brilliance and human cost. From midnight cannonades to courtroom reckonings, witness how one valley’s destruction helped starve a rebellion—and stirred questions that echo long after the smoke cleared. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/stories-of-the-civil-war--6675279/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/stories-of-the-civil-war--6675279/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss].