This episode of the podcast is sponsored by Scripner, publisher of Hems of the Republic,

the story of the final year of the Civil War by Pulitzer Prize finalist, S. C. Gwynn.

Podcast listeners will be familiar with Gwynn's name as we've previously recommended his biography

as Stonewall Jackson, Rebel Yel. Here with his new book, Hems of the Republic, Gwynn has put

together a brilliantly told narrative looking at the fourth and final year of the Civil War.

One of our favorite Civil War authors, Peter Cossens, says,

with Hems of the Republic, S. C. Gwynn brings the final year of the Civil War to life,

in the fashion of literary giants Shelby Foote and Bruce Catton.

Well, that's high praise indeed.

So, Hems of the Republic is on sale now in hardcover, e-book and audiobook.

Pick up your copy today.

Hey everyone, welcome to episode number 303 of our Civil War podcast. My name is Rich.

And I'm Tracy. Hello Y'all. Thanks for tuning into the podcast.

As Y'all recall, when we left off last time, it was early June 1863,

and Joe Hooker was on the horns of a dilemma. Hooker had problems because all the signs seemed to indicate that the Confederate army,

or at least part of it, was on the move, marching away from Fredericksburg.

Hooker's solution was to make an attack across the Rapa Hanna griver.

Overwhelmed whatever rebel force was still at Fredericksburg, then advanced toward Richmond, threatening the Confederate capital city.

But from Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and General-in-Chief Henry Hallack vetoed that idea.

They were afraid Hooker would get caught half over the river, held up by the Confederates and trenched at Fredericksburg,

while the part of Lee's army that was on the move might cross the Rapa Hanna griver and then fall upon Hooker's rear.

In Lincoln's colorful, home-span way of putting things, this would leave Hooker, quote,

...