Today we have special guest from Redoubt Productions to talk about special orders 191 or Lee’s lost orders and the impact on both emancipation and the battle of Antietam. Sharpsburg, a slave holding town, would become the scene of the bloodiest single day of American combat and it could have very well prevented the confederate army from forcing its way into the north or even Washington DC. General McClellan however always takes the blame for the lack of success after finding these orders. Why? We attempt to answer this.

In this episode we have a conversation with fellow YouTuber James from Project Past about the Gallant John Pelham. I transition through the places in Fredericksburg he saw his most heroic actions take place and we discuss the man’s life and legacy.

Livestream: The Battle of Sayler's Creek – Discussion & Q&A with a Subscriber!

Join us for a special live discussion as we dive into the pivotal Battle of Sayler's Creek, one of the final and most decisive engagements of the American Civil War. In this stream, we're excited to be joined by one of our very own subscribers for an in-depth conversation about the events, strategies, and lasting impact of this critical moment in history.

We'll also be taking live questions from the audience, so come prepared with your thoughts, curiosities, or comments! Whether you're a Civil War buff or just learning, your voice is welcome in the discussion.

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell so you don’t miss future livestreams and historical deep dives.

Drop your questions in the chat during the stream or ahead of time in the comments below!

#CivilWar #SaylersCreek #AmericanHistory #LivestreamDiscussion #MilitaryHistory

🎙️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://streamyard.com/pal/d/5946768813326336

In this episode we interview Kent Masterson Brown and Chris Mackowski to get a better understanding of how these historians think and process the civil war.

Join us on a powerful journey through Petersburg National Battlefield, where we walk the ground of one of the Civil War’s most brutal and misunderstood confrontations — the Battle of the Crater. This episode isn’t just a battlefield tour — it’s a deep dive into the strategy, tragedy, and overlooked human stories of the siege that shaped the war’s final year.

🏞️ We’ll explore rarely seen locations most visitors — and most videos — never cover, offering a unique perspective on the landscape that witnessed months of relentless combat.

⚔️ Learn how a bold Union plan to tunnel under Confederate lines turned into a devastating failure — and how the fallout cost thousands of lives.

Most importantly, we shine a light on the heroism and mistreatment of African American soldiers, who fought with bravery and suffered horrific violence not only from Confederate troops but also endured systemic discrimination from their own Union command.

Whether you're a history buff or discovering this chapter of the Civil War for the first time, this episode will leave you with a deeper understanding of the battle, its consequences, and the voices history often leaves behind.

🔔 Subscribe for more overlooked history and on-the-ground storytelling.

For a video companion showing you the whole battlefield click this link: https://youtu.be/hzPNFF6Ah0w?si=l1AhWgz2t1Vc6JXr

#CivilWarHistory #PetersburgBattlefield #BattleOfTheCrater #BlackHistory #AmericanHistory #UntoldStories #HistoricalSites #VirginiaHistory #CivilWar

Join us for an exclusive interview with Tim Smith, Garry Adelman, the public figure and historian for The American Battlefield Trust and special guest JD Huitt from The History Underground! Garry has dedicated his career to preserving America’s battlefields and educating the public about the events that shaped our nation's history. As one of the foremost experts in Civil War and American history, Garry has authored books, created educational content, and served as a charismatic spokesperson for the Trust.

In this special interview, we’ll dive deep into Garry’s career and get a behind-the-scenes look at his work with The American Battlefield Trust. We’ll also be answering many of the questions you’ve sent in from YouTube and X, giving you the chance to connect with Garry and learn more about the man behind the knowledge. Get ready to uncover the passion, dedication, and unique insights that make Garry Adelman one of the most beloved figures in the world of historical preservation.

Don’t miss this chance to hear from one of the leading historians on American history and discover the genius behind Garry’s tireless work to keep history alive for future generations. Tune in, ask your questions, and let’s dive into the fascinating world of American history!

In this episode we speak with Robert Lee Hodge the central character of the book Confederates in the Attic. Our conversation covers battlefield preservation, the state of living historians today, and talk about his adventures with famed historian Ed Bearss. Above all we uncover how Robert had no idea the direction the book was going in or that he would be such a big part in it.

You’ve been told the Civil War began at Fort Sumter in April 1861. That’s the story in the textbooks. That’s the version on government websites. But what if we told you that the war actually began three months earlier—with cannon fire, a covert mission gone wrong, and a president paralyzed by indecision?

In this gripping episode of Civil War Stories With Waffles, we uncover the real first shots of the American Civil War—fired not by seasoned troops, but by cadets from The Citadel on a foggy January morning in 1861. At the heart of the story is a little-known steamship called the Star of the West, sent on a secret mission to reinforce Fort Sumter under the nose of South Carolina’s secessionist government. What followed was an explosive confrontation that history all but forgot.

From the unfinished fort in Charleston Harbor to the failed leadership of President James Buchanan, this episode rewrites what you thought you knew about how America tore itself apart.

🔍 In This Episode:

• The origins of Fort Sumter and its symbolic power
• Buchanan’s fatal indecision as the Union crumbled
• The Star of the West’s covert mission and dramatic retreat under fire
• Why January 9, 1861—not April 12—may mark the war’s true beginning
• The overlooked legacy of a president who did nothing when everything was at stake

History isn’t just what’s remembered—it’s what’s repeated. So before you accept the official version, tune in to Civil War Stories With Waffles and hear what really happened.

🎧 Subscribe now, leave us a review, and don’t forget: the war started before the war started.