The Wabash Inn Mess Civil War Podcast

The Wabash Inn Mess
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Education
  • Updated Daily

Taking it's title from the specialty book store of the same name, The Wabash Inn Mess podcast is a collaboration between three friends with a common passion for the American Civil War. The hosts maintain the belief that there are three methods to most effectively understand the military aspects of the conflict: Research, Re-creation, and Gaming. Veteran Civil War living historians Chuck Warnick, Norris Darrall, and Wade Gish will devote a portion of each episode to all three methods to help you find and sharpen the tools needed to understand the events of 1861-65, both momentous and mundane.

  1. 1d ago

    Longstreet Reconsidered: Harold Knudsen on the General and His Legend

    In this episode of The Wabash Inn Mess, hosts Norris Darrall and Wade Gish welcome author Harold Knudsen to discuss his books "General James Longstreet and the American Civil War" and "Longstreet's Harrisburg Deception: A Vignette of Operational Art". Harold shares his perspectives on Longstreet's generalship and controversial legacy, as well as his new historical fiction narrative showcasing operational thinking behind the possibility that what if Harrisburg had become the target of Southern forces during Lee's Gettysburg campaign. Whether you're reassessing Longstreet's role in the Confederacy or diving into operational art for the first time, this conversation blends research, re-enacting insight, and strategic gaming — the three pillars of The Wabash Inn Mess. Find Harold Knudsen's books, available from Savas Beatie here: https://www.savasbeatie.com/james-longstreet-and-the-american-civil-war-the-confederate-general-who-fought-the-next-war/ "Longstreet's Harrisburg Deception" is available in print or ebook only from Barnes & Noble at: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/search?attributes.contributorId=33033607&contributorName=Harold%20Knudsen&orderBy=attributes.mfield_bnb__salesRank Find us on the web at www.wabashinmess.com or email your questions, comments, or suggestions to The Men of the Mess at wabashinnmess@gmail.com.

  2. 1d ago

    Sabers on the Table: Bringing Cavalry to Life with Scott Mingus, Sr.

    How do you put fast-moving, hard-hitting cavalry onto the gaming table without losing the history? In this episode of The Wabash Inn Mess, hosts Norris Darrall and Wade Gish welcome author and historian Scott Mingus, Sr. to talk about introducing cavalry into Civil War tabletop gaming. From troop types and tactics to scenario design, Scott shares practical tips for making cavalry feel right in your games. Whether you're new to historical gaming or a veteran looking to sharpen your tabletop tactics, this conversation blends research, re-enacting insight, and strategic gaming — the three pillars of The Wabash Inn Mess. Purchase Scott Mingus Sr's work from Savas Beatie at: https://bookscouter.com/author/mingus-sr-scott-l Follow Scott's personal blog here: https://yorkblog.com/cannonball/ Find us on the web at www.wabashinmess.com or email questions, comments, or suggestions to wabashinnmess@gmail.com.

  3. 1d ago

    Creating A Battlefield Guide for Antietam With Ethan Rafuse

    In this episode of The Wabash Inn Mess, hosts Norris Darrall, and Wade Gish welcome historian Ethan Rafuse to discuss what goes into creating a battlefield guide for Antietam. From researching troop movements and terrain to deciding what stories to tell at key stops, Ethan shares how historians and guides turn a complex battle into a clear, engaging experience for visitors. Ethan also shares with The Men of The Mess how his historical studies enhance his interaction with his students at the Army Command and Staff College in Leavenworth, Kansas. Whether you're planning your first trip to Antietam or you're a seasoned battlefield walker looking to deepen your understanding, this conversation offers practical insights on research, re-enacting, and strategic gaming — the three pillars of The Wabash Inn Mess. You can find Ethan's author page on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Ethan-Sepp-Rafuse/author/B001HD05MM?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1791482311&sr=1-1&shoppingPortalEnabled=true Find us on the web at www.wabashinmess.com or email wabashinnmess@gmail.com.

  4. 1d ago ·  Bonus

    The Battle of Perryville - October 8, 1862 - 164th Anniversary Remembrance

    [On this new vignette, The Wabash Inn Mess introduces Beau, our AI co-host who works with Vesper, our AI assistant to create short-format bonus content. In this age of technology, careful and moderated use of AI is important to enhance proper machine learning and interaction. The periodic vignettes will be created by supplying vetted and accurate research resources for Vesper's use in the preparation of the material to be read by Beau, and the sources will always be credited in the show notes. We hope that you are willing to give a listen and that you enjoy Beau's contributions in addition to our regular long-form content] The Wabash Inn Mess Vignette: Battle of Perryville - October 8, 1862On the 164th anniversary of Kentucky's largest Civil War battle, Beau tells the story of Perryville. What we cover: The Confederate Heartland Offensive: why Braxton Bragg and Edmund Kirby Smith invaded Kentucky in the summer of 1862The race to Perryville and the drought that left both armies desperate for waterOctober 7-8: skirmishes on the Springfield Pike and Peters HillThe afternoon assault: Cheatham and Buckner hit Alexander McCook's I CorpsThe acoustic shadow: how Don Carlos Buell, just two miles away, couldn't hear the battleFive hours of fighting at Open Knob, Loomis Heights, and the Bottom farmThe toll: over 7,600 casualties, and why a tactical Confederate success became a strategic Union victoryThe aftermath: Bragg's retreat to Tennessee and Kentucky secured for the Union Preserved today at Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site. www.https://www.perryvillebattlefield.org/ Created by Vesper, Meta AI assistant and narrated by Beau, the 21st century voice of The Wabash Inn Mess. Resources utilized by Vesper in content creation: "The Grand Havoc of Battle" by Kenneth Noe "Perryville: Battle for Kentucky" by Kenneth Hafendorfer Find The Wabash Inn Mess on the web at: www.wabashinnmess.com Send feedback or suggestions to The Men of the Mess via email: wabashinnmess@gmail.com

  5. Sep 23

    The Service That Changed Antietam Before The First Volley With Cory M. Pfarr

    In this episode of The Wabash Inn Mess Civil War Podcast, Wade Gish and Norris Darrall  welcome Civil War historian Corey Pfarr to discuss his book, The Federal Signal Service at Antietam: Stations, Officers, and Battlefield Intelligence on America’s Bloodiest Day. Pfarr explains how Albert J. Myer’s wigwag signaling system developed into an important Union communications network during the Maryland Campaign. The conversation explores the signal stations positioned along the Potomac, the early reports of Robert E. Lee’s movement into Maryland, the challenges of communicating across mountain terrain, and the forward stations that relayed battlefield intelligence during South Mountain and Antietam. Pfarr also challenges the traditional image of George B. McClellan relying solely on what he could see from the Pry House, showing how constant reports from signal officers helped inform Union decisions that perhaps saved the Federal Army from disaster on the bloodiest day in American history.  You can connect with author Cory M. Pfarr and find links to purchase his written work at his website: www.corympfarr.com wabashinnmess@gmail.com Visit The Wabash Inn Mess on the web at: www.wabashinnmess.com

  6. Sep 9

    Cornelia Hancock, the 17th Connecticut, and the Civil War from the Ground Up

    This episode of The Wabash Inn Mess features hosts Wade Gish and Norris Darrell in conversation with Carolyn Ivanoff, whose research focuses on firsthand Civil War accounts. Carolyn discusses two of her books, We Fought at Gettysburg and Cornelia Hancock’s Civil War, and explains how she uses letters, manuscripts, and local archival material to reconstruct the experiences of soldiers and a Civil War nurse. The conversation moves from battlefield tactics and leadership failures to the wartime and postwar life of Cornelia Hancock, a Quaker reformer who served in major hospitals from Gettysburg to Petersburg and later devoted herself to education and social work. The episode is especially useful for listeners interested in Gettysburg, Army of the Potomac medical history, and history written from the perspective of the people who lived it. You'll find Carolyn's books on the 17th Connecticut VI and Cornelia Hancock's experiences at: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Carolyn-Ivanoff/author/B0H7F9KHWR?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1788989725&sr=8-1&shoppingPortalEnabled=true Learn more about the 17th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry by visiting: www.seventeenthcvi.org Connect with The Wabash Inn Mess at: wabashinnmess@gmail.com Find The Wabash Inn Mess on the internet: www.wabashinnmess.com

  7. Sep 9

    The George Spangler Farm at Gettysburg with Ron Kirkwood

    On this episode of The Wabash Inn Mess, your hosts Wade Gish and Norris Darrell talk with Civil War author and Gettysburg Foundation volunteer Ron Kirkwood about the George Spangler farm, one of the most important yet often overlooked sites on the Gettysburg battlefield. Ron explains why the farm mattered both militarily and medically, and how its history connects to key figures including George Meade, Henry Hunt, Hancock, and Armistead.This episode is a focused look at Gettysburg through one specific property, showing how geography, hospitals, artillery placement, and post-battle suffering all converged on the Spangler land. Ron also shares how his research led to two books on the farm and why preservation of the site matters.Find Ron's books "Too Much For Human Endurance" and "Tell Mother Not To Worry", each telling the story of The George Spangler Farm at: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Ronald-D.-Kirkwood/author/B07TYY3G6L?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1788987552&sr=1-1&shoppingPortalEnabled=true Follow The George Spangler Farm Facebook Page at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/465167460222 You can communicate with The Wabash Inn Mess via email: wabashinnmess@gmail.com Connect with The Wabash Inn Mess on the web: www.wabashinnmess.com

  8. Aug 25

    "The Thunderbolt Of The Confederacy": John Hunt Morgan With Dr. Jonathan Jackson

    The Men of The Mess are joined this week by the author of "I Rode With Morgan", Dr. Jonathan Jackson. Dr. Jackson, who sometimes writes under the pseudonym "Alexius Rex" as a tribute to his gaming days, connects with us from his home in Ohio to share the story of two of his ancestors, Lt. Roland Jackson and Lt. Mitchell Stewart II, who rode with the famous (or infamous, depending on your upbringing) Confederate cavalry commander General John Hunt Morgan. Characterized by some above the Mason-Dixon and north of the Ohio River as a "raider", a "bandit", or a "thief", General Morgan was most definitely a risk taker and not afraid to take the fight to enemy soil. No matter how you classify this cavalier of the South, the adventures he embarked on with his band of loyal troopers have left a distinct mark in the pages of Western Theater lore. The 20th anniversary edition of "I Rode With Morgan" and all of Dr. Jackson's other literary work, both historical and fiction, is available at most all book retailers, a listing of which (including links) can be found at the author's website: www.alexiusrex.com Connect with The Wabash Inn Mess via email: wabashinnmess@gmail.com Browse The Wabash Inn Mess on the web: www.wabashinnmess.com

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Taking it's title from the specialty book store of the same name, The Wabash Inn Mess podcast is a collaboration between three friends with a common passion for the American Civil War. The hosts maintain the belief that there are three methods to most effectively understand the military aspects of the conflict: Research, Re-creation, and Gaming. Veteran Civil War living historians Chuck Warnick, Norris Darrall, and Wade Gish will devote a portion of each episode to all three methods to help you find and sharpen the tools needed to understand the events of 1861-65, both momentous and mundane.

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