If General George B. McClellan had any ability as a general, he could have won the Civil War with his first engagement.  His plan was brilliant.  Using ships, he got around the majority of the Southern army by moving over 100,000 men to the Virginia Peninsula.  From the Peninsula, it was a straight shot and … Continue reading Class Notes →

Most place the cause of the War of 1812 on the British seizure of ships and imprisonment of American sailors.  However, there is good reason to see the cause as coming from the American West.  The Major war hawk faction in Congress were actually westerners, like Kentuckian Henry Clay.  They were more concerned with the … Continue reading Class Notes →

For Class Notes today I just wanted to remind anyone who is interested I will be speaking at Weatherford College this Thursday. I am speaking on the Johnson impeachment but also on a panel about the 19th Amendment. For more information you can call 817-598-6326

One of the things I like the most about Lincoln was his humanity.  He knew the war was necessary to save the Union, but he greatly struggled with the large loss of life.  He was often depressed when thinking about the men.  Because he was emotional, he often stopped the execution of soldiers for desertion.  … Continue reading Class Notes →

Possibly the most important court case for our day is Marbury V. Madison (1803).  When Adams left office he quickly appointed a bunch of new judges, so Jefferson would not be able to appoint any while he was president.  When Jefferson took over he refused to seat the new judges, one of the new judges, … Continue reading Class Notes →

General Braxton Bragg tends to have a poor reputation in Civil War circles, and in many ways, it is deserving.  However, his 1862 invasion of Kentucky was actually well conceived and executed.  After the Battle of Shiloh, the southern army was in shambles, especially with the loss of their commander.  They had retreated all the … Continue reading Class Notes →

In my WW II reading class this semester, we just finished reading Ghost Soldiers by Hampton Sides.  This book was popular a few years back, but I did not get to it then, but I loved Blood and Thunder by Sides and so took the opportunity to assign it now.  I highly recommend this book.  … Continue reading Class Notes →

When Jefferson won the Election of 1800 (my favorite election) it was seen as a win for the common man. Jefferson’s rhetoric had always been about equality. One cultural aspect of the election is that the Minuet fell out of favor as a dance at parties. The Minuet was seen as an aristocratic dance that … Continue reading Class Notes →

When the Civil War started, the greatest prize for either side was Kentucky.  Kentucky had declared itself neutral as the War began, but the state was too valuable to be left alone.  The Ohio river was a perfect border and the state had valuable food and man power.  Most importantly the Ohio, Mississippi, Cumberland, and … Continue reading Class Notes →