Civil War

“P’ is for Pocotaligo, Battle of (October 22, 1862).

“P’ is for Pocotaligo, Battle of (October 22, 1862).

This week, we’ll be talking with Bennett Parten, author of Somewhere Toward Freedom: Sherman's March and the Story of America's Largest Emancipation (2025, Simon & Schuster).In Somewhere Toward Freedom, Ben reframes this seminal episode in Civil War history. He not only helps us understand how Sherman’s March impacted the war, and what it meant to the enslaved, but also reveals how it laid the foundation for the fledging efforts of Reconstruction.Sherman’s March has remained controversial to this day. Ben Parten helps us understand not just how the March affected the outcome of the Civil War, but also what it meant to the enslaved—and he reveals how the March laid the foundation for the fledging efforts of Reconstruction.

“H” is for Honey Hill, Battle of (November 30, 1864). The Battle of Honey Hill was the first in a series of engagements fought at the headwaters of the Broad River along the Charleston and Savannah Railroad in November and December 1864.

“H” is for Honey Hill, Battle of (November 30, 1864). The Battle of Honey Hill was the first in a series of engagements fought at the headwaters of the Broad River along the Charleston and Savannah Railroad in November and December 1864.

“C” is for Chisolm, Julian John (1830-1903). Physician.

“C” is for Chisolm, Julian John (1830-1903). Physician.

“B” is for blockade-running. Throughout the civil war, government and civilian goods were shipped into the Confederate states on vessels known as blockade-runners.

“L” is for Longstreet, James Peter (1821-1904). Soldier.

“L” is for Longstreet, James Peter (1821-1904). Soldier.