The Department No. 2 Podcast

Darryl and Derrick have a nice long conversation with author and historian Sean Chick. We discuss several of his books and his upcoming project on the Battle of Shiloh. For Western Theater enthusiasts, there is a lot of new material in the pipeline! If you would like to support us, visit our website and "Buy us a Coffee!" All proceeds go to the podcast subscription service and new microphones to b...

Derrick runs solo this episode and talks with Greg Biggs on Western Theater Logistics. Railroads, steamboats, and then several other topics. Just two dudes enjoying a chat about the Civil War! If you would like to support us, visit our website and "Buy us a Coffee!" All proceeds go to the podcast subscription service and new microphones to bring you a better product. Visit www.westerntheatercivilw...

Join Derrick and Darryl for the first episode of 2026! Several Western Theater events will be taking place this year and the guys break all of them down and how you can prepare for each if you attend. You can find all of the events at the website, at westerntheatercivilwar.com If you would like to support us, visit our website and "Buy us a Coffee!" All proceeds go to the podcast subscription serv...

This installment of the WTCW's Western Theater Primary Voices brings you the diary entries of Sam Cox of the 17th Kentucky Infantry (US) at the Battle of Fort Donelson in February 1862. You can find other portions of Sam's diary at our website. Be sure to like and subscribe here and wherever you get your podcasts, and search for "The Department No. 2 Podcast" on any platform. If you would like to...

Derrick and Darryl are joined by Lee White to discuss the infamous Braxton Bragg, the general everyone loves to hate. What kind of commander was he, exactly? Lee helps busts some of the lingering myths and also discusses some things that might be true about the general. If you would like to support us, visit our website and "Buy us a Coffee!" All proceeds go to the podcast subscription service and...

Derrick and Darryl discuss one of Darryl's projects, the Battle of Augusta. Fought on September 27, 1862, Basil Duke led a force against the home guards of Augusta and tangled with some gunboats. The resulting fight resulted in several burned buildings in the town itself, but a possible crossing of the Ohio River was thwarted. If you would like to support us, visit our website and "Buy us a Coffee...

Darryl and Derrick have a conversation with Ranger Steve Phan of Camp Nelson National Monument. Though not a battlefield, the site had enormous implications for the war. The site not only tells the story of the thousands of soldiers that passed through, but the thousands of civilians as well. If you would like to support us, visit our website and "Buy us a Coffee!" All proceeds go to the podcast s...

Derrick and Darryl are joined by author and historian Dave Powell to discuss Chickamauga, Tullahoma, Atlanta, and so much more. Consider this an appetizer for some future deep dives! If you would like to support us, visit our website and "Buy us a Coffee!" All proceeds go to the podcast subscription service and new microphones to bring you a better product. Visit www.westerntheatercivilwar.com for...

Derrick and Darryl are joined by author and historian Stuart Sanders to discuss several topics. From Perryville to duels, Stuart brings the goods for another great talk. If you would like to support us, visit our website and "Buy us a Coffee!" All proceeds go to the podcast subscription service and new microphones to bring you a better product. Visit www.westerntheatercivilwar.com for more informa...

Taylor Bishop joins Derrick and Darryl to discuss the Battle of Tebbs Bend situated in central Kentucky. Why did John H. Morgan choose to attack there, and what consequences did this action have on the rest of the "not so great" raid? If you would like to support us, visit our website and "Buy us a Coffee!" All proceeds go to the podcast subscription service and new microphones to bring you a bett...

Darryl and Derrick dive into the books you need to widen your knowledge on the Army of the Ohio and the Army of the Cumberland. If you would like to support us, visit our website and "Buy us a Coffee!" All proceeds go to the podcast subscription service and new microphones to bring you a better product. Visit www.westerntheatercivilwar.com for more information. Join our group on Facebook by search...

Derrick and Darryl are joined by Andrew Houghtaling to discuss the 9th Ohio and their unique place in the Western Theater. Andrew talks to us about the Turner Societies, the culture and cuisine of the men, and how this group of men stand out from the average Federal regiment in the west. If you would like to support us, visit our website and "Buy us a Coffee!" All proceeds go to the podcast subscr...

Derrick and Darryl are joined by Dan Masters and Taylor Bishop for the first ever digital Bull Session. They carry on the tradition of an in-person Bull Session with the digital discussions about a variety of Western Theater topics including cavalry raids, comparing Western and Easter armies, Bragg and the Kentucky Campaign, and a few others. Let us know what you would like to hear on our next Bul...

Darryl and Derrick are joined by blogger, researcher, and book reviewer Richard McCormick to discuss some of the ins and outs of the trade. They also delve into some of the research Richard has been doing on individual Civil War soldiers. Join our group on Facebook by searching for "Western Theater in the Civil War" where we encourage you to ask questions and help others in their research and lear...

Derrick and Darryl preview the Fort Donelson Symposium coming up in February. They also discuss some things about irregulars in Kentucky, Adam R. Johnson, Morgan, and *gasp* Burbridge. They also throw some things in there about books and the writing process. Join us for the discussion! Join our group on Facebook by searching for "Western Theater in the Civil War" where we encourage you to ask ques...

Joseph Ricci returns to discuss one of the more controversial aspects of the Civil War--George D. Wagner's position in front of the main works at the Battle of Franklin. Several charges against Wagner found their way into later tellings of the battle, but are they correct? Join us for Part Two of the fascinating discussion into the life of one of the Army of the Cumberland's fighting generals, and...

Joseph Ricci returns to discuss one of the more controversial aspects of the Civil War--George D. Wagner's position in front of the main works at the Battle of Franklin. Several charges against Wagner found their way into later tellings of the battle, but are they correct? Join us for Part One of a fascinating discussion into the life of one of the Army of the Cumberland's fighting generals. Join...

Andrew Miller of Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument joins Derrick to continue the discussion on Mill Springs. In this episode, Andrew dissects the battle itself, along with the consequences the Union victory had on the war. Join our group on Facebook by searching for "Western Theater in the Civil War" where we encourage you to ask questions and help others in their research and learning. O...

A Darryl-less Derrick is joined by Dan Masters, Taylor Bishop, and Jamie Gillum to discuss the upcoming Symposium at Perryville on October 18-20. Details on each tour were discussed, so make sure you RSVP at westerntheatercivilwar.com! Join our group on Facebook by searching for "Western Theater in the Civil War" where we encourage you to ask questions and help others in their research and learnin...

Derrick and Darryl return to the mics to talk with NPS Ranger Andrew Miller on the Mill Springs Campaign. In this episode Andrew sets up the campaign and how the two armies eventually clashed at Mill Springs., which brought the Union its first major victory of the war. The eastern part of Tennessee and Kentucky was a complicated region, and one that both sides had to carefully navigate. Join our g...

Darryl talks with Dave Mowery, author of Cincinnati in the Civil War: The Union's Queen City. Cincinnati was the largest producer of goods for the Union Army west of the Appalachian Mountains, and the third largest in the United States. The old saying of “amateurs talk about tactics, but professionals study logistics" holds true when studying the Western Theater, and Cincinnati was the key to the...

Derrick and Darryl have a long conversation (one that remains unfinished) with Joseph Ricci of the Battle of Franklin Trust. Myths are tackled along with some of the more difficult details of the battle. Join our group on Facebook by searching for "Western Theater in the Civil War" where we encourage you to ask questions and help others in their research and learning. On Twitter/X, search for @wes...

After a hiatus due to schedules and sickness, Derrick and Darryl return for another discussion on the Western Theater...well mostly. The guys talk about what actually constitutes the Western Theater, and more information on the Symposium on the Field at Perryville. Join our group on Facebook by searching for "Western Theater in the Civil War" where we encourage you to ask questions and help others...

Derrick and Darryl discuss the books you need for your Western Theater library when it comes to the Fort Henry and Fort Donelson Campaign. The guys talk the heavy hitters, but also some of the more obscure ones that you might not know about. Click the link for Darryl's blog post on the subject (https://www.westerntheatercivilwar.com/post/wtcw-essential-books-fort-donelson). Join our group on Faceb...

Derrick and Darryl discuss the Stones River Campaign with author and historian Dan Masters. Dan is the author of the forthcoming book on Stones River entitled, Hell by the Acre: A Narrative History of the Stones River Campaign, November 1862-January 1863, published by Savas Beatie. Check out Dan's blog at https://dan-masters-civil-war.blogspot.com/ for amazing Civil War Content. In Part Three we d...