Battles Of The American Civil War

Union gunboats test Confederate batteries at Aquia Creek and Pig Point, a confused attack unravels at Big Bethel, and sailors strike at Cockle Creek as the blockade takes shape along Virginia’s coast.

Before his cavalry raids made headlines, John Hunt Morgan was a Lexington businessman, husband, and militia captain. We follow his life from his Kentucky upbringing and Mexican War service through slavery, family tragedy, Confederate command, prison escape, and his death in Greeneville, Tennessee.

The 33rd Virginia began as companies of neighbors from the Shenandoah Valley. At Manassas, they charged Union guns. Then came Kernstown, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, and Spotsylvania. Every fight changed who was still standing in the ranks. This is the story of the regiment that made it all the way to Appomattox.

Bragg’s Confederates won the field at Perryville, then withdrew that night. We break down how divided command, bad intelligence, and missed opportunities left a bloody victory unable to save the invasion of Kentucky.

The Cornfield at Antietam changed hands again and again as Union and Confederate troops tore each other apart over a few acres of Maryland farmland.