The Antietam and Beyond Podcast Podcast By Tom McMillan and John Banks cover art

The Antietam and Beyond Podcast

The Antietam and Beyond Podcast

By: Tom McMillan and John Banks
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Authors John Banks and Tom McMillan dive deep into the Battle of Antietam — September 17, 1862, the bloodiest day in American history — as well as into the 1862 Maryland Campaign and other Civil War topics. Join these longtime journalists, who, along with their guests, share stories, knowledge and much more about the battle and the most compelling period in American history. The podcast is sponsored by Civil War Trails, which since 1994 has connected visitors with small towns and big stories across a network that now spans six states.© 2026 Tom McMillan and John Banks World
Episodes
  • Medal of Honor stories and Antietam insights with guide Jess Rowley
    Mar 13 2026

    In Episode 58, Antietam battlefield guide Jess Rowley — a former National Park Service ranger — joins co-hosts John Banks and Tom McMillan for a freewheeling discussion about Antietam Medal of Honor recipients, famed Union Army officer Francis Barlow and interacting with the public. Plus, we learn about a New England regiment in which each soldier received a Medal of Honor.

    This podcast is sponsored by the Michigan Civil War Association and Civil War Trails, which since 1994 has connected visitors with small towns and big stories across a network that now spans six states.

    Join McMillan and Banks for regular podcasts about Antietam, the Maryland Campaign and the Civil War — the most compelling period in American history.

    McMillan is author of The Year That Made America: From Rebellion to Independence and four other books. Banks is author of A Civil War Road Trip Of A Lifetime and numerous magazine articles about the Civil War. Find them on Facebook at Author Tom McMillan and John Banks' Civil War Blog. Banks' popular Civil War blog is here.

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    58 mins
  • William Griffing on transcribing 15,000 Civil War soldier letters and his Spared & Shared site
    Mar 4 2026

    In Episode 57, William Griffing joins co-host John Banks (with Tom McMillan off this week) for a conversation about his remarkable transcriptions of Civil War soldier letters — including many tied to Antietam — which he shares on his Spared & Shared website. “Griff” has transcribed and posted more than 15,000 letters so far — and he types every single one, one-handed.

    Read more about Griffing here. Find his Spared & Shared Facebook page here.

    This podcast is sponsored by the Michigan Civil War Association and Civil War Trails, which since 1994 has connected visitors with small towns and big stories across a network that now spans six states.

    Join McMillan and Banks for regular podcasts about Antietam, the Maryland Campaign and the Civil War — the most compelling period in American history.

    McMillan is author of the recently released The Year That Made America: From Rebellion to Independence and four other books. Banks is author of A Civil War Road Trip Of A Lifetime and numerous magazine articles about the Civil War. Find them on Facebook at Author Tom McMillan and John Banks' Civil War Blog. Banks' popular Civil War blog is here.

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    46 mins
  • Lee invades the North: Brad Gottfried on Antietam, Gettysburg, Lincoln and the generals
    Feb 26 2026

    In Episode 56, prolific author/historian Brad Gottfried joins co-hosts John Banks and Tom McMillan for a discussion about his latest book, Lee Invades The North: A Comparison of the Antietam and Gettysburg Campaigns. In a freewheeling podcast, we hit all the big names — Lee, Lincoln, Meade, Burnside and McClellan. Plus, Gottfried dishes on guide exams and April's Antietam Institute conference.

    This podcast is sponsored by the Michigan Civil War Association and Civil War Trails, which since 1994 has connected visitors with small towns and big stories across a network that now spans six states.

    Join McMillan and Banks for regular podcasts about Antietam, the Maryland Campaign and the Civil War — the most compelling period in American history.

    McMillan is author of the recently released The Year That Made America: From Rebellion to Independence and four other books. Banks is author of A Civil War Road Trip Of A Lifetime and numerous magazine articles about the Civil War. Find them on Facebook at Author Tom McMillan and John Banks' Civil War Blog. Banks' popular Civil War blog is here.

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    54 mins
All stars
Most relevant
Listening in to John and Tom talk about Antietam is enjoyable, entertaining and enlightening. It would be ridiculous to expect a daily podcast with all the work that is done in research, but I sure would love it!

The History class I look forward to!

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As a volunteer at the Antietam Battlefield and a member of the Antietam Institute, I am always seeking more information about the battle. This podcast provides a good look at many areas of the battle by distinguished authors and historians. Thank you so much gentlemen for putting this together .

Antietam gets an excellent Podcast

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I’m enjoying all of the stories and plan to check out a few of the book recommendations. Keep up the good work!

Great podcast!

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I have listened to every episode at least once and have enjoyed all of them. I really enjoy the format, the hosts and guests. Very informative and interesting and I credit the podcast with getting me to last years lantern ceremony ( I happened to be home visiting my Mom in Harper’s Ferry) and also for informing me about the newly updated NPS video playing at the visitor center, which I really enjoyed. I also joined the Antietam Institute after hearing so much about the great work they do on this podcast. Keep ‘em coming - I always look forward to them! Thanks, Pete M. Houston, TX

My Favorite Podcast - hands down!

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