14. Never Call Retreat: Military and Political Turning Points in 1863

The Civil War and Reconstruction (HIST 119) Professor Blight lectures on the military history of the early part of the war. Beginning with events in the West, Blight describes the Union victories at Fort Donelson and Fort Henry, introduces Union General Ulysses S. Grant, and narrates the horrific battle of Shiloh, fought in April of 1862. Moving back East, the lecture describes the Union General George McClellan’s abortive 1862 Peninsula campaign, which introduced the world to Confederate General Thomas “Stonewall“ Jackson. The lecture concludes with Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s decision to take the battle to the North. 00:00 - Chapter 1. The Mood of the Civil War and McClellan’s Army 09:46 - Chapter 2. Early Union Successes and Ulysses S. Grant’s Entry into the War 20:07 - Chapter 3. The Battle of Shiloh 26:29 - Chapter 4. McClellan’s Abortive 1862 Naval Campaign and “Stonewall“ Jackson 33:34 - Chapter 5. The Battle of Seven Days and Robert E. Lee’s Move North 49:14 - Chapter 6. Conclusion Complete course materials are available at the Open Yale Courses website: This course was recorded in Spring 2008.