Civil War Curious
The American Civil War remains one of the most pivotal and complex periods in our history. While much has been written, countless fascinating questions still spark our curiosity. In our podcast Civil War Curious, we enlist expert historians to answer your lingering questions about the conflict.
Have a Civil War question you’d like answered? Email [email protected]—we may include it in a future episode.
Published: 8/5/25
Episode 9: Black Confederates
Kevin M. Levin discusses the nature of black men's service in the Confederate military during the Civil War.
Published: 7/29/25
Episode 8: McClellan’s Pursuit of Lee
Historian D. Scott Hartwig discusses Union general George McClellan’s slow pursuit of Robert E. Lee’s army after the Battle of Antietam.
Published: 7/22/25
Episode 7: McClellan and Special Orders 191
Historian D. Scott Hartwig weighs in on whether George McClellan acted swiftly enough after receiving a copy of Robert E. Lee's operational orders for the 1862 Maryland Campaign.
Published: 7/15/25
Episode 6: Forrest and Fort Pillow
Court Carney discusses why Nathan Bedford Forrest was not held accountable for the massacre of black soldiers at the Battle of Fort Pillow.
Published: 7/8/25
Episode 5: Soldiering and Weaponry
Historian Eric Michael Burke answers questions about the lives of Civil War soldiers and the weapons they used.
Published: 7/1/25
Episode 4: Chamberlain at Gettysburg
Licensed Battlefield Guide Jessie Wheedleton answers questions about Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain's performance at Gettysburg.
Published: 6/24/25
Episode 3: Alcohol in the Armies
Historian Megan L. Bever discusses the prevalence of alcohol in Civil War armies and the many issues that resulted from its presence.
Published: 6/17/25
Episode 2: Turning Points
Historian Jennifer M. Murray discusses whether she views Antietam or Gettysburg as the more significant turning point in the U.S. Civil War.
Published: 6/10/25
Episode 1: Soldiers and Religion
Historian George Rable answers questions about the importance of religion during the Civil War, including how faith helped motivate soldiers on both sides.