We are back from our brief hiatus! We delve into the turbulent and violent life of Turd…Champ Ferguson, a notorious Confederate guerilla fighter during the American Civil War. Ferguson’s story is one of personal vendetta and relentless brutality, driven by a desire for revenge against Union forces and sympathizers.We explore Ferguson’s early life i…

In this episode titled "Soldiers Heart: PTSD and the Forgotten Suffering of Civil War Soldiers," we dive deep into the psychological aftermath of the Civil War, drawing significant insights from the book Invisible Wounds by Dillon J. Carroll. This thought-provoking discussion unveils the hidden traumas faced by soldiers, as detailed in the book, hi…

In this episode of The Civil Weird Podcast titled A Love Letter, A Lost Limb, and A Looted Grave: The Death and Desecration of Maj. Sullivan Ballou, Chris, Paul, and Adam delve into the intriguing and controversial story surrounding one of the Civil War's most famous figures. We went on a journey to learn the truth about the poetic love letter Majo…

In Episode 9 of The Civil Weird Podcast, The Little Zouave That Could, we dive into Col. Elmer Ellsworth's life. We discuss his upbringing and struggles to find "real" work, his friendship with Lincoln to introducing Zouave military tactics in America, Ellsworth's journey was uniquely Civil Weird. His story culminates in his role as one of the Unio…

In this fascinating episode, we delve into the peculiar story of the 27th Maine Infantry Regiment during the Civil War. This unit, composed of volunteers, was faced with a unique situation that led to one of the most unusual occurrences in the history of the Congressional Medal of Honor. We explore the circumstances leading up to the regiment being…

Time to get real Civil Weird in this episode! Join us as we hump our way back to the American Civil War, where we stumble upon Douglas - the Confederate Camel that stood tall during the Siege of Vicksburg. We don't stop there!Strap in as we unearth the curiously strange history of the U.S. Camel Corps. Ready your saddles and hold onto your camel bo…

In this shortened episode of the Civil Weird podcast, we dive into doing some history in Mound City IL, where the three of the most powerful vessels were produced during the war and what it took to get it done. We also look to the possibility of a future historical site listing as an archaeological location. So, come aboard Civil Weirdos, as we chu…

In episode six of "The Civil Weird Podcast," we explore the life of Albert D.J. Cashier, a soldier who lived as a man during the American Civil War, despite being assigned female at birth. Born as Jennie Hodgers in Ireland, Cashier's journey offers valuable insights into the complexities of gender identity during a time when our current understandi…

Welcome to Episode 5 of The Civil Weird Podcast, where we'll be exploring the dark and taboo side of the American Civil War - sex, prostitution, and disease. During this period, soldiers were constantly exposed to new and dangerous sexually transmitted infections, and prostitution became a thriving industry, often operating right under the noses of…

In this episode, we dive into the world of one of the conflict's most notorious and bloodthirsty guerrilla fighters: Bloody Bill Anderson. Join us as we take a closer look at the life and legacy of William T. Anderson, a Missouri native who led a group of raiders on a ruthless campaign against Union forces and sympathizers. We'll explore his tactic…

In this episode, we discuss the life and murder of General Earl Van Dorn, who was by most accounts a terrible general, but a great lover of the ladies... So, come listen, and let’s make it Civil Weird!By Adam J Krall / Paul Golladay

In this "minisode" we talk about the 2023 Day of Service. We are looking for volunteers and those who would want to help us clean up some Civil War headstones that are in disrepair around the area of Central Illinois. Take a listen and see what you can do to help! Support the show https://www.facebook.com/CivilWeird patreon.com/TheCivilWeirdPodcast…

Sergeant Boston Corbett was the man who killed the man who killed President Abraham Lincoln. However, his shooting of assassin John Wilkes Booth is not what makes Corbett "Civil Weird." No, perhaps the fact that this man was certified insane, self-castrated himself, was a street preacher, and then disappeared into the ether of history, is just the …