The Civil Weird Podcast

Adam J. Krall/Paul Golladay/Christopher Stratton/Jason Noyes

A conversational history podcast where we take on the weirder aspects of an already weird war.

  1. Episode: 18, Gregory A. Coco, A Strange and Blighted Land: Gettysburg, The Aftermath of a Battle...A Review of Sorts!

    MAR 19

    Episode: 18, Gregory A. Coco, A Strange and Blighted Land: Gettysburg, The Aftermath of a Battle...A Review of Sorts!

    On this episode, we take a Civil Weird look at Gettysburg through the classic book by Gregory Coco, "A Strange and Blighted Land: Gettysburg, The Aftermath of a Battle" who's work pulled the battle down from the marble pedestal and back into the mud, blood, grief, and chaos of July 1863. We get into the civilians, "ghouls," corpse-strewn farms, hospital scenes, and the emotional wreckage left behind in the battle’s wake. It’s Gettysburg stripped of some of its polish and returned to the people who had to live through it. Lets make it Civil Weird!

    2h 48m
  2. Episode 16: The Awesome Life and Strange Death of Leroy Key: The Andersonville Regulator Who Mounted Up

    02/20/2025

    Episode 16: The Awesome Life and Strange Death of Leroy Key: The Andersonville Regulator Who Mounted Up

    This episode, we delve into the Civil Weird tale of QMSgt. Leroy L. Key. Born in Mississippi to a slave-owning family, he broke away before the war and settled in Illinois—a decision that would shape his future in surprising ways. During the Civil War, Key fought in two regiments, one infantry and one cavalry. He was then captured in what was called the “Frozen Fight” in Jonesville, VA. After his capture, Key became the organizer and de facto leader of a group of Union prisoners known as the “Regulators.” They took it upon themselves to put an end to the brutal reign of the “Raiders,” a gang that preyed upon the most vulnerable among their fellow inmates. Key and his fellow Regulator captains not only dismantled the Raiders’ power structure but also established a rudimentary system of prisoner-led justice—and execution. After surviving Andersonville and the war, he returned to Mississippi. He worked as a lawyer and served in the Freedmen’s Bureau, helping formerly enslaved people secure basic rights and protections during the tumultuous Reconstruction era. Tragically, Key’s life was cut short; he died at age 39 from a possible suicide in Springfield, IL, where he left behind a wife and 8 children. Let’s make it Civil Weird!

    3h 31m
  3. Episode 15: Battle of the Crater, and Louis Martin, The Life of a Survivor

    12/14/2024

    Episode 15: Battle of the Crater, and Louis Martin, The Life of a Survivor

    In this episode of The Civil Weird Podcast, we dive into one of the strangest and most chaotic battles of the American Civil War: the Battle of the Crater. This bizarre and deadly confrontation, set amidst the siege of Petersburg in 1864, saw Union forces attempt to break Confederate lines by detonating a massive underground explosion—only to descend into confusion and horror in the resulting crater. We’ll explore the battle’s unconventional tactics, unexpected outcomes, and eerie atmosphere that set it apart in the annals of Civil War history.We also spotlight the personal story of Lewis Martin, a brave soldier from the 29th United States Colored Troops who endured unimaginable suffering during the battle. Losing his right arm and left leg and sustaining additional gunshot wounds, Martin’s journey of survival and sacrifice is both harrowing and inspiring. Today, his legacy continues. After being laid to rest in an unmarked grave for decades, Martin is now resting in power in a government-marked grave at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, Illinois. Join us as we uncover the weird, the wild, and the human elements of this unforgettable chapter in Civil War history. Let’s make it Civil Weird!

    2h 18m
  4. Episode 14: Ambition and Anarchy:The Knights of the Golden Circle and the Unfulfilled Dream of a Southern Empire

    12/14/2024

    Episode 14: Ambition and Anarchy:The Knights of the Golden Circle and the Unfulfilled Dream of a Southern Empire

    In this episode of The Civil Weird Podcast, we uncover the ambitions of George W. Bickley and his secretive Knights of the Golden Circle, who aimed to create a pro-slavery empire spanning the U.S., Cuba, Mexico, and beyond. Bickley’s society recruited thousands with dreams of expanding Southern influence through rebellion and conquest, but their plans ultimately unraveled. We’ll explore the KGC’s rituals, failed plots, and the lasting mystery around their goals, as well as how their vision of a “Golden Circle” faded into the shadows of Civil War history. Join us to explore the ambition, anarchy, and the Southern empire that never was. Let’s make it Civil Weird!

    1h 50m
  5. Episode 3: The Rock of Chickamauga George H. Thomas, (Part 2)

    09/17/2024

    Episode 3: The Rock of Chickamauga George H. Thomas, (Part 2)

    We went a whole lot longer into the weirdness that is George H. Thomas, than we intended to...However, we feel that a man of his stature and character needed a thorough going over! So, let’s make it Civil Weird!

    3h 4m
  6. Episode 3: The Rock of Chickamauga George H. Thomas (Part 1)

    09/17/2024

    Episode 3: The Rock of Chickamauga George H. Thomas (Part 1)

    In this two-part episode, we get Civil Weird with "'OL Pap" Thomas.  Why was he "Weird"? Listen and find out as we take a deep dive into the man with many nicknames. One of them is the "Sledge of Nashville"! So, let’s make it Civil Weird!

    2h 3m
  7. Episode 13: Champ Ferguson: Confederate Guerilla Riding For Revenge

    07/07/2024

    Episode 13: Champ Ferguson: Confederate Guerilla Riding For Revenge

    We are back from our brief hiatus! We delve into the turbulent and violent life of Turd…Champ Ferguson, a notorious Confederate guerilla fighter during the American Civil War. Ferguson’s story is one of personal vendetta and relentless brutality, driven by a desire for revenge against Union forces and sympathizers.We explore Ferguson’s early life in the rugged mountains of Tennessee and his transformation from a farmer to a feared guerilla leader. Learn about the harrowing events that fueled his fury and led him to take up arms against his own neighbors, blurring the lines between soldier and outlaw.Through firsthand accounts and historical records, we unravel the complex motivations behind Ferguson’s bloody campaign. Was he a hero defending his homeland or a ruthless vigilante seeking personal retribution? Join us as we navigate the murky waters of loyalty, honor, and vengeance in the shadowy world of Civil War guerilla warfare.Tune in for an episode filled with suspense, historical intrigue, and a deeper understanding of the man who rode for revenge. We also have a new sponsor for this episode. Let's make it Civil Weird!!!

    1h 53m
  8. Episode 11: Soldier's Heart, PTSD and the Forgotten Suffering of Civil War Soldiers

    04/03/2024

    Episode 11: Soldier's Heart, PTSD and the Forgotten Suffering of Civil War Soldiers

    In this episode titled "Soldiers Heart: PTSD and the Forgotten Suffering of Civil War Soldiers," we dive deep into the psychological aftermath of the Civil War, drawing significant insights from the book Invisible Wounds by Dillon J. Carroll. This thought-provoking discussion unveils the hidden traumas faced by soldiers, as detailed in the book, highlighting the early recognition of what we now understand as PTSD. We'll explore how "Invisible Wounds" sheds light on the internal struggles of veterans, their battles with unseen scars, and the societal impact of these psychological injuries. Join us as we navigate through the pages of history, uncovering the silent yet profound legacy of bravery and resilience that continues to resonate with modern discussions on mental health and the cost of war.

    1h 52m
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Ratings & Reviews

4.1
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

A conversational history podcast where we take on the weirder aspects of an already weird war.

Information

  • Creator
    Adam J. Krall/Paul Golladay/Christopher Stratton/Jason Noyes
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Adam J. Krall/Paul Golladay/Christopher Stratton/Jason Noyes
  • Show Website
    The Civil Weird Podcast

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