April 26, 2021
Filling Henderson's Shadow: The Struggle for Vision After Harris
This episode covers a critical turning point in the history of the Marine Corps during the Civil War. When Commandant John Harris died, Gideon Welles had to decide who would lead the Corps through one of the most chaotic moments in American history. Internal politics, personal rivalries, and competing visions for the Corps' future all played a role in the selection of Colonel Jacob Zeilin as the new Commandant. The episode tracks the evolution of the Corps' role in major military operations, highlighting the actions of Marines during the battles of Mobile Bay, the defense of the railroads in Maryland, and the brutal fighting around Honey Hill and Fort Fisher. Marines were rarely the focus of Civil War history, but their contributions were vital.
References
- Confederate States of America. (1974). Constitution of the Confederate States of America: Adopted unanimously by the Congress of the Confederate States of America, March 11, 1861.Foner, E. (2012). The fiery trial: Abraham Lincoln and American slavery. New York: W.W. Norton.
- Foner, E., Dietz, N., Tantor Media., & OneClick Digital (Firm). (2011). The fiery trial: Abraham Lincoln and American slavery. Old Saybrook, Conn.: Tantor Media.
- Grant, U. S., In Marszalek, J. F., In Nolen, D. S., & In Gallo, L. P. (2019). The personal memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant: The complete annotated edition.
- Leonard, J. W., Chitty, F. F. (1920). Story of the United States' marines ... "1740-1919". New York: U.S. marine corps.
- Lincoln, A. (1990). The collected works of Abraham Lincoln: 1848-1865. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers Univ. Press.
- Metcalf, C. H. (1941). A history of the United States Marine Corps. New York: Putnam.
- Stephens, A. H. (1861). Cornerstone Speech. Savannah, GA
- United States., & McClellan, E. N. (1932). History of the United States Marine Corps. Washington.
Explore the battles from this episode
Find every engagement on the Bloodline interactive battle map.