Civil War E66 Filling Henderson’s Shadow: The Struggle for Vision After Harris

This episode covers a critical turning point in the history of the Marine Corps during the Civil War. When Commandant John Harris died, Gideon Welles had to decide who would lead the Corps through one of the most chaotic moments in American history. Internal politics, personal rivalries, and competing visions for the Corps' future all played a role in the selection of Colonel Jacob Zeilin as the new Commandant.

The episode tracks the evolution of the Corps' role in major military operations, highlighting the actions of Marines during the battles of Mobile Bay, the defense of the railroads in Maryland, and the brutal fighting around Honey Hill and Fort Fisher. Marines were rarely the focus of Civil War history, but their contributions were vital.

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