One of the hidden gems of Civil War history lies on the Kentucky-Tennessee border: the thriving town of Clarksville.

Clarksville holds a special place in the lore of Middle Tennessee and the Western Theater, and on this episode of The Wabash Inn Mess, we unfold the tale with Mr. William Parker, Historical Interpreter with the City of Clarksville Parks and Recreation Department. William serves as the host and historical interpreter at the Ft. Defiance (Ft. Sevier) Interpretive Center on the banks of the Cumberland River. The Cumberland played a vital role in the movement and maintenance of the Federal Army during the Civil War, making Clarksville a vital lifeline for the Union and an important target for the Confederacy.

Clarksville has been blessed in the post-war years with development and investment making it an important business hub in Middle Tennessee as well as a fantastic destination for visits of any duration.

We hope you enjoy the story of our neighbor, Clarksville, TN on this episode of The Wabash Inn Mess.

Visit the Ft. Defiance Interpretive Center year-round at 120 Duncan Street in Clarksville, TN.

Find more information about what Clarksville has to offer at:

www.cityofclarksville.com

Visit The Wabash Inn Mess on the information superhighway at:

www.wabashinnmess.com

You may communicate with the Mend of The Mess via email:

wabashinnmess@gmail.com

This week, we welcome Derrick Lindow back to The Mess to share with us a portion of his work "We Shall Conquer Or Die" concerning the 10the Kentucky Partisan Rangers and their incursion into the largest town in Western Kentucky, Owensboro, and the ensuing fight at Panther Creek that sapped the strength and quieted the legend of Adam Rankin Johnson's feared raiders.

You will enjoy Derrick's telling of the tale relating his research and his boots on the ground observations from the site of one of the largest skirmishes in our end of the battleground state of Kentucky between the Rangers and the Indiana Legion from across the Ohio River in Spencer County. Bravery abounded on both sides, and many a gallant combatant fought for the last time that day.

If you haven't already, be sure to pick up your copy of "We Shall Conquer or Die" and immerse yourself in this chapter of Kentucky and Civil War history. AND - don't forget to add the "Department Number II" podcast to your favorites and listen to Derrick and his co-host Darrell Smith discuss the war in the western theater at length on your favorite podcast platform.

Find Derrick's work at Savas-Beatie...

https://www.savasbeatie.com/www.savasbeatie.com/we-shall-conquer-or-die-partisan-warfare-in-1862-western-kentucky/?searchid=0&search_query=derrick+lindow

Find the Department No. 2 Podcast and many other Western Theater tidbits here...

https://www.westerntheatercivilwar.com/

Connect with the men of The Mess at:

wabashinnmess@gmail.com

Visit The Wabash Inn Mess on the web at:

www.wabashinnmess.com

The Wabash Inn Mess returns from the holiday hiatus with a true Civil War renaissance man - author, licensed battlefield guide, sought after speaker, and podcast host - Mr. James Hessler.

James comes to us fresh off the release of his latest Civil War book available from Casemate publishing, The First Day At Gettysburg, part of the Casemate Illustrated Series.

James is also co-host of The Battle of Gettysburg podcast, audio archived on your favorite podcast platform with recent and new episodes available to view on YouTube.

Our continued delve into Civil War biography continues with this episode as we look deeper into the life and role of the complex Major General Dan Sickles through the lens of James' book "Sickles at Gettysburg".

Mr. Hessler also shares with us from his decades of experience as a Licensed Battlefield Guide at the Gettysburg National Military Park in Pennsylvania. No first time visit to Gettysburg can fully be appreciated without the company of a licensed guide to transport you back to July 1863.

We hope you enjoy as we begin the second half of season 5 of The Wabash Inn Mess.

Connect with James Hessler on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/p/James-Hesslers-Gettysburg-History-Books-Travel-Podcasts-Speaking-100057577212759/

Enjoy The Battle of Gettysburg Podcast on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@battleofgettysburgpodcast

Pick-up James' latest work, The First Day at Gettysburg, from Casemate Publishing by going to:

www.casematepublishers.com

And the rest of the James Hessler library by visiting Savas Beatie:

www.savasbeatie.com⁠

You can communicate with The Wabash Inn Mess via email at:

wabashinnmess@gmail.com

And find The Mess on the web at :

www.wabashinnmess.com