The Antietam and Beyond Podcast

In the debut episode of "The Antietam and Beyond Podcast," co-hosts and western Pennsylvanians Tom McMillan and John Banks talk about why the battle and the battlefield keep them enthralled. You'll also learn about the soldier who carved his name into the windowsill of the Dunker Church and hear about a wandering Saint Bernard in the 40-Acre Cornfield that spooked one of the co-hosts. Plus, Tom and John talk of their favorite spots at Antietam, outline the purpose of the podcast and highlight some of the future guests — Scott Hartwig, author of I Dread The Thought Of The Place, for one — and briefly mention the possibility of having a chocolate pie named for one of them.

Join them for discussions of the Battle of Antietam, the Maryland Campaign and the Civil War — the most compelling period in American history. (Also join them for the occasional discussion of Iron City Beer and Bonnie's at The Red Byrd restaurant in Keedysville, Md.)

The podcast is sponsored by Civil War Trails, which since 1994 has connected visitors with small towns and big stories across a network that now spans six states.

McMillan is author of the recently released Our Flag Was Still There. Banks is author of the recently released A Civil War Road Trip Of A Lifetime.

Find them on Facebook at Author Tom McMillan and John Banks' Civil War Blog. Banks' popular Civil War blog is here.

In Episode 3 of "The Antietam and Beyond Podcast," historian and author Alex Rossino joins co-hosts Tom McMillan and John Banks for an in-depth discussion of Special Order 191, the (in)famous and controversial "Lost Order." U.S. Army soldiers discovered the orders — issued by Army of Northern Virginia commander Robert E. Lee on Sept. 9, 1862, during the Maryland Campaign — wrapped in an envelope with cigars near Frederick, Md.

Of course, no discussion of Special Order 191 is complete without a look at George McClellan's generalship during the campaign, which culminated with battles at Antietam and Shepherdstown. We discuss "Little Mac" and go deep into Civil War "nerd-om" with Rossino, who tells us where he believes the U.S. soldiers discovered the orders. Plus, restaurant reviews and much more!

Rossino is author of three non-fiction books on the Maryland Campaign, The Tale Untwisted, Calamity At Frederick and Their Maryland. (Read his recently launched Campaign Minutes blog.) PURCHASE ROSSINO'S BOOKS FROM SAVAS BEATIE: The Tale Untwisted: George McClellan and the Discovery of Lee's Lost Orders (co-authored with Gene Thorp) | Calamity At Frederick: Robert E. Lee, Special Orders No. 191, and Confederate Misfortune on the Road to Antietam | Their Maryland: The Army of Northern Virginia From the Potomac Crossing to Sharpsburg in September 1862

The podcast is sponsored by Civil War Trails, which since 1994 has connected visitors with small towns and big stories across a network that now spans six states.

Join McMillan and Banks for regular podcasts about Antietam, the Maryland Campaign and the Civil War — the most compelling period in American history.

McMillan is author of the recently released Our Flag Was Still There. Banks is author of the recently released A Civil War Road Trip Of A Lifetime. Find them on Facebook at Author Tom McMillan and John Banks' Civil War Blog. Banks' popular Civil War blog is here.

In Episode 5 of "The Antietam and Beyond Podcast," Antietam battlefield guide Jim Buchanan — “The Mayor Of The West Woods” — discusses with co-hosts Tom McMillan and John Banks this important section of the battlefield where fighting raged on the morning of Sept. 17, 1862. You'll hear mentions of generals John Sedgwick and Robert E. Lee as well as stories about common soldiers who fought in the West Woods. You'll also hear about the epic "Wounded Lion" monument, "mystery" figures in the West Woods and the muddy boots on the cover of John's latest book. Buchanan has blogged about the West Woods for years. Check out his Walking The West Woods blog.

The podcast is sponsored by Civil War Trails, which since 1994 has connected visitors with small towns and big stories across a network that now spans six states.

Join McMillan and Banks for regular podcasts about Antietam, the Maryland Campaign and the Civil War — the most compelling period in American history.

McMillan is author of the recently released Our Flag Was Still There. Banks is author of the recently released A Civil War Road Trip Of A Lifetime. Find them on Facebook at Author Tom McMillan and John Banks' Civil War Blog. Banks' popular Civil War blog is here.

On Episode 16 of "The Antietam And Beyond Podcast," Gettysburg licensed battlefield guide Larry Korczyk talks with co-hosts John Banks and Tom McMillan about the many ties between the battles at Gettysburg and Antietam. Plus, we have a brief discussion of Korczyk's real gig (think Robert DeNiro movie), talk about following in the footsteps of A.P. Hill from Harpers Ferry to Sharpsburg and much more.

Korczyk co-authored Top Ten at Gettysburg, published March 2017. Since 2002, he has reenacted with the 2nd Rhode Island Infantry Volunteers, acting as company commander. A longstanding member of the Robert E. Lee Civil War Round Table and chairman of the James I. Robertson Jr. Literary Prize for Confederate History, Korczyk shows his passion for history in each battlefield tour he gives.

The podcast is sponsored by Civil War Trails, which since 1994 has connected visitors with small towns and big stories across a network that now spans six states.

Join McMillan and Banks for regular podcasts about Antietam, the Maryland Campaign and the Civil War — the most compelling period in American history.

McMillan is author of the recently released Our Flag Was Still There. Banks is author of the recently released A Civil War Road Trip Of A Lifetime. Find them on Facebook at Author Tom McMillan and John Banks' Civil War Blog. Banks' popular Civil War blog is here.

In a freewheeling Episode 24, Antietam guide Michael Hill talks with co-hosts Tom McMillan and John Banks about the ins and outs of becoming a battlefield guide, his favorite spot on the field — it's on the southern end! — and his journey from Lost Cause devotee to the present day. Plus, these three ink-stained wretches contemplate starting an "Old Men of Newspapering Podcast."

The podcast is sponsored by Civil War Trails, which since 1994 has connected visitors with small towns and big stories across a network that now spans six states.

Join McMillan and Banks for regular podcasts about Antietam, the Maryland Campaign and the Civil War — the most compelling period in American history.

McMillan is author of Our Flag Was Still There and other books. Banks is author of A Civil War Road Trip Of A Lifetime. Find them on Facebook at Author Tom McMillan and John Banks' Civil War Blog. Banks' popular Civil War blog is here.