The "Rally on the Colors" Podcast returns with yet another episode from the ORs, this one focusing on the events surrounding April 14th, 1865 and how they pertain to the events in and around Washington D.C. Bill and Steve deep dive the assassination plot carried out by John Wilkes Booth, Lewis Powell, David Herold and George Atzerodt as they attempt to dismantle the leadership within the US government as they plan to kill President Abraham Lincoln, Secretary of State William Seward and Vice President Andrew Johnson. The episode steers away from the conspiracies and examines the facts, includin ..read more

The ORs have returned for yet another episode, this one centering around General Ulysses Grant, the future 18th President of the United States. In this episode Bill, Ty and Steve first start out with some biographical background information about Grant leading into the start of the Civil War. Grant's war record in the west is then discussed before the deep dives occur about the always debated topic of Grant vs Lee. The episode gets a unique look at the myth of "Grant the Butcher." The myth is dissected mathematically, strategically, tactically and logistically. The stopping of prisoner exchang ..read more

The "Rally on the Colors" Podcast returns with yet another secondary series, this one focused on Civil War Reenacting and/or Living History. In this first installment of the series titled "Reenacting 101," Bill, Ty, and Steve discuss the basics when it comes to getting started in Civil War reenacting/living history with a few occasional deep dives on several related and some unrelated topics. The episode begins with a discussion of choosing your said (i.e. Union or Confederate), picking the proper branch (i.e. Infantry, Artillery, Cavalry, etc) and then deciding what your level of authenticity ..read more

The "Rally on the Colors" Podcast is back with another installment of the ORs.  And we are back with another episode centered around the battle of Gettysburg. In this episode, Bill, Ty and Steve tackle another controversial topic surrounding the battle; the ongoing debate of which Corps from the Army of the Potomac broke first on July 1, 1863. Was it the I Corps or was it the XI Corps? The episode begins by setting the stage for the combat actions that are about to occur on July 1st and then the deep dive begins. No stone is left unturned in this episode. From dominating terrain features ..read more

If your interested in becoming a Civil War Living Historian (a.k.a. "reenactor"), or are currently looking for a different experience with your Living History impression, look no further. In this special edition, bonus episode of the "Rally on the Colors" Podcast, Bill, Ty, and Steve deep dive the Gettysburg Guard's Living History branch, the Bureau of Military Information (BMI). Freshly minted and officially now a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in less than a year after its inception, the Gettysburg Guard through the BMI offers an extremely unique and one-of-a-kind living history impressio ..read more

The "Rally on the Colors" Podcast returns with the ORs in Season 2, this time talking about "Stonewall" Jackson. In this episode, Bill, Ty and Steve discuss Lee's "Right Arm" at length, covering his childhood and ancestral roots, through his military service at West Point and in the Mexican before transitioning into his time at VMI. "Stonewall" Jackson's war record during the American Civil War gets closely examined, including some varying perspective on the actual meaning of the "Stonewall" nickname. Some interesting perspectives about Jackson's successes and challenges as a military command ..read more

The "Rally on the Colors" Podcast opens 2024 by closing out Season 1 with the fourth installment of the ORs. In this episode of the ROTC Podcast, Bill, Ty and Steve give a deep look into the roots and the myth of the Lost Cause narrative that began to surface in name during 1866. Bill, Ty and Steve give a deep look at was has been called the "6 Tenets of the Lost Cause" and give some factual evidence against each of those specific tenets. As we typically state with the release of the OR episodes, the views expressed within the episode are our own and do not represent anyone else. We encourage ..read more

The Rally on the Colors Podcast is back with Episode #3 of the ORs. In this conversational debate Bill, Ty and Steve discuss the battle of Fredericksburg. Fought in December of 1862, the Union Army of the Potomac finds itself being commanded by Ambrose Burnside. In this episode, Burnside's original plan is discussed at length. Henry Halleck's interference with the implementation of that plan also gets some exposure. Bill, Ty and Steve deep dive the actions leading into the Engineers construction of the pontoon bridges, the first opposed river crossing of the United States Army, and the first e ..read more

The Rally on the Colors Podcast is back with Episode #2 of the ORs. In this conversational debate Bill, Ty and Steve discuss CPT Samuel Johnston's July 2nd reconnaissance of the Federal left at the battle of Gettysburg. A short biography of CPT Johnston's service prior to Gettysburg is covered as well as the known facts about the reconnaissance and the troop dispositions in the area. After the facts get laid out, Bill, Ty and Steve do their best to challenge CPT Johnston's claims of where he went during the reconnaissance and what he discovered. Unique perspectives get a deep dive in this one ..read more

The ORs are another series from the "Rally on the Colors" Podcast, with a little bit of a different atmosphere. Meant more as conversational debates that you might have with friends than direct educational content. In the first installment of this series, Bill, Ty and Steve tackle a controversial topic; who really killed Jennie Wade? A brief overview of the situation Jennie Wade finds herself in at Gettysburg is covered as well as the popular and most widely accepted of the narratives surrounding her death. Bill, Ty and Steve then begin dismantling that narrative and provide alternate explanat ..read more