Explore every episode of the podcast Stories of the Civil War

In December 1862, amidst one of the Civil War’s bloodiest battles, a young Confederate sergeant named Richard Rowland Kirkland stepped beyond the protection of his lines to bring water and comfort to wounded Union soldiers. Known as the "Angel of Marye’s Heights," Kirkland’s remarkable act of compassion became a symbol of humanity amidst brutal conflict. In this episode, Chris Mowery takes you onto the frozen battlefield of Fredericksburg to meet the man behind the legend. Together, we’ll explore eyewitness accounts, separate historical fact from myth, and discuss why Kirkland’s story still resonates deeply today.

In this episode of Stories of the Civil War, host Chris Mowery traces the astonishing journey of John Alexander Logan—from fiery Illinois congressman and staunch anti-abolitionist to one of the Union’s most fearless generals and the founder of what we now know as Memorial Day.

Follow Logan as he sheds the title “Dirty-Work Logan” earned from enforcing fugitive slave laws, and earns the nickname “Black Jack” on the battlefield. From the blood-soaked fields of Fort Donelson and the flaming rail depots of Jackson to the siege of Vicksburg and the decisive campaign for Atlanta, Logan leads with ferocity, fire, and a black-plumed hat.

But this is more than a story of military triumphs. It’s about transformation. Wounded in battle and weathered by war, Logan returns not just as a hero, but as a changed man—one who uses his voice in the U.S. Senate to fight for veterans, advocate for Black soldiers, and help consecrate the national ritual of remembrance.

This is the story of how a polarizing political figure became a unifying symbol of memory, honor, and reconciliation. A tale of courage not just on the battlefield—but in the chambers of conscience.