Battles and Banter: A Relaxed Military History Podcast

Latest Episodes:

The Battle of Pelenor Fields (Minas Tirith) Apr 25, 2022

Show notes

On this episode of Battles & Banter, Avery is joined by Patrick McGuire and Matt Borders of "The History Things Podcast" for the first fictional battle episode in a long time; Avery, Pat & Matt tackle perhaps one of the most monumental battles in all of fantasy literature. From the pages and scenes of "Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King", the guys travel to Middle Earth to discuss the Battle of Pelenor Fields aka Minas Tirith, which was one of the final climactic battles of the infamous War of the One Ring. Using mostly their experiences from viewing the film and some material from the book (don't get your hopes up, none of them have read it), the trio walk through the fight and banter about some of the key players such as Aragorn, Gandalf, Faramir, Theoden, Eowyn and even Lord Denethor. Strap in for a hilarious ride into the Pelenor Fields! Enjoy!

The Battle of Shiloh Apr 05, 2022

Show notes

On this episode of Battles & Banter, Avery, Codie & Tony are joined by recurring guest host and Civil War historian Ryan Quint to discuss the 160th anniversary of one of the bloodiest battles from the American Civil War; a battle that set the tone for how horrific the battles would become for the rest of the conflict. Along the west banks of the Tennessee River, the Confederate Army of Mississippi under General Albert Sidney Johnston attacked the U.S. Army of the Tennessee under Major General Ulysses S. Grant while they were encamped in the woods around Pittsburg Landing. The two-day engagement fought on April 6-7, 1862 would become better known by the name of a small, wooden Methodist church on site, which translated to "Place of Peace" in Hebrew. The guys discuss the battle and its far-reaching consequences not only on the war itself, but in the larger context of Civil War memory. Enjoy!

The Battle of Pea Ridge Mar 09, 2022

Show notes

On this solo episode of Battles & Banter, Avery takes on one of the most important engagements to come out of the Trans-Mississippi Theater of the American Civil War. Fought on March 7-8, 1862, the Battle of Pea Ridge would end in a major Union victory that would secure the border state of Missouri as a bastion for Federal forces against Confederates in the area for the rest of the war. Avery would also like to take this time to send kind regards to any listeners in Ukraine who are living through the current conflict. We here at Battles & Banter Podcast stand with Ukraine and will be covering the conflict at a later date to be decided. In the meantime, enjoy this episode on the 160th Anniversary of Pea Ridge!

The Battles of Forts Henry & Donelson Feb 11, 2022

Show notes

Join Avery, Codie & Tony as the BnB "Holy Trinity" reunites for the 160th Commemoration of the Forts Henry & Donelson Campaign of February 1862 during the American Civil War. In the midst of a rainy, cold and snowy winter, U.S. General Ulysses S. Grant launched an ambitious campaign to open Tennessee to Federal invasion by capturing two forts on the Tennessee & Cumberland Rivers. Coordinating with U.S. "brown-water navies", Grant's plan was a smashing success and the joint victories at Forts Henry & Donelson made him a national hero, especially in the eyes of President Abraham Lincoln. The guys discuss the major significances of the campaign and how it impacted how the rest of the way played out from there. Enjoy!

The Battle of Mill Springs Jan 20, 2022

Show notes

On the first Battles & Banter episode of 2022, Avery takes a solo look at one of the more overlooked and significant U.S. victories from the American Civil War: The Battle of Mill Springs. Also known as the Battle of Logan's Crossroads, the engagement that took place in southeastern Kentucky on that rainy day of January 19th, 1862, marked the first major land victory for the North. Not only did it put General George H. Thomas on the map as a reliable U.S. commander, but it opened the gates for the Federal forces to invade Tennessee and led to the more famous battles of Forts Henry and Donelson a few weeks later. Join Avery as he summarizes the battle and its significance and lays out the upcoming plan for the 2022 BnB schedule. Enjoy!

The Battle of Dranesville Dec 23, 2021

Show notes

On the final BnB episode of 2021, Avery & Codie are joined by recurring guest host Ryan Quint to discuss one of the lesser known battles of the American Civil War. On December 20, 1861, the Confederate forces under General J.E.B. Stuart collided with a brigade of Pennsylvania Reserves at the small village of Dranesville in Fairfax County, Virginia. While the engagement was brief, and small in terms of troops engaged, it was the first time that U.S. forces had defeated the Confederates in Northern Virginia. For a victory-starved North, Dranesville was a light in the darkness as the first year of the war came to a close. Join Avery, Codie & Ryan in exploring this engagement and its significance to the larger context of the Civil War. Enjoy!

The Attack on Pearl Harbor Dec 11, 2021

Show notes

For Battles & Banter's 80th episode, the guys are taking a look at the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor 80 years later. On December 7, 1941, the airmen of the Japanese Imperial Navy attacked the U.S. Pacific Fleet and the surrounding instillations of Pearl Harbor on the island of Oahu. Avery & Codie are joined by their good friends, Justin Voithofer along with Patrick McGuire and Matt Borders of "The History Things Podcast", to discuss this pivotal event in world history. The guys discuss the lead-up to the attack, the attack itself and the last repercussions it had on the United States' role in the Second World War. Enjoy!

The Petersburg Campaign, Part III Nov 21, 2021

Show notes

On this episode of Battles & Banter, Avery and Codie continue the Petersburg Campaign series with the long-awaited third installment. The guys take on the months that followed the Battle of The Crater leading all the way to the Presidential Election of 1864 in November. Actions at the Weldon Railroad, New Market Heights, and Boydton Plank Road all marked some of the final offensive actions by U.S. forces south and southwest of Petersburg, Virginia for the year before the long winter set in. Avery and Codie also discuss the importance of the 1864 election and how the armies in the field dealt with the conundrum of giving all of the troops the opportunity to exercise their right to vote. Enjoy!

The Battle of Belmont Landing Nov 13, 2021

Show notes

On this episode of Battles & Banter, Avery is joined by his good friend and Civil War historian, Ryan Quint, to discuss the first combat action for Ulysses S. Grant during the American Civil War: The Battle of Belmont. One of the more overlooked and misunderstood actions of the war, Belmont served as the first taste of combat for General Grant against the Confederate forces along the western banks of the Mississippi River. Avery & Ryan discuss the actions at Belmont Landing and the significance of the fight in regards to the rest of the conflict. Most importantly, they talk about the importance of Belmont to Grant's military career and how it marked the beginning of his rise to fame and glory during the American Civil War. Enjoy!

The Battle of Ball's Bluff Oct 24, 2021

Show notes

On this episode of Battles and Banter, Avery, Codie & Tony reunite after a brief hiatus to discuss one of the smaller engagements of the American Civil War that ended up having deeper repercussions for how the Union high command conducted themselves during military campaigns, specifically the heavily politicized Union Army of the Potomac. Fought on October 21, 1861, the Battle of Ball's Bluff occurred along the banks of the Potomac River near Leesburg, Virginia when a Union reconnaissance under Brig. Gen. Charles P. Stone triggered a larger engagement with a brigade of Confederate soldiers under Nathan "Shank" Evans. The small battle ended in disaster for the Union and led to the formation of the Committee for the Conduct of War. The guys evaluate the fight and the consequences it had on the overall war, while making an abundance of "ball" jokes throughout that'll just drive ya nuts. Enjoy!

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