This week 163 years ago, Andrew Phillips wrote to his family about his experience during the Civil War, and about his son who took ill in the conflict. 

The Civil War was the bloodiest conflict in American history that saw the deaths of more than seven hundred thousand Americans. While combat killed many, most of these deaths were disease related. Conditions of many types, from typhoid to pneumonia to dysentery, some of which are mentioned in Philips’ letter, spread through camps due to cramped and unsanitary conditions.

The army brought people together from a variety of backgrounds, from urban and rural parts of the country, that led to increased rates of sickness.

I’m Kirsten Kindrick the Director’s Office Manager for the Kentucky Historical Society. Learn more at https://history.ky.gov/.


October 20, 2025 - Andrew Phillips Civil War Letter Home

Civil War type beat

Civil War

The Cognitive Dissidents discuss the latest in Trump's crony oligarchism, resource wars in Latin America, the "stable-con", and more!

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About Parallel Mike
Parallel Mike is an organic farmer, investor and host of both the Parallel Systems Broadcast & Parallel Mike Podcast. He is passionate about living purposefully, natural health and self sufficiency.

About Monica Perez
The Monica Perez Show offers a variety of content from Real NEWS REELs, where Monica uses her research and analytical skills to get to the bottom of top headlines from a perspective of truth, liberty & justice; Highlight Reels, where Monica kicks back with the best and the brightest from the podcasting world; and her Interview series where she brings listeners fascinating interviews with principled thought-leaders and experts in fields of interest essential to those who seek the truth about the parasites-that-be or simply pursue an autonomous and independently healthy lifestyle.

Monica was a radio host for 8 1/2 years on WSB Radio in Atlanta; prior to that she was an investment banker in New York and Texas. From that previous life, Monica holds an associate’s degree from Rockland Community College, a bachelor’s degree from Harvard, and a JD-MBA from Stanford. She is a Chartered Financial Analyst as well as a member of the bar of the State of New York. Monica now resides in Los Angeles where, in addition to podcasting, she experiences life as a wife, homemaker and mother of three teens, all of whom–including a very special son who has Down syndrome–really keep things interesting! Monica is also a cocktail enthusiast who posts her favorite recipes on monicamixes.com.* (*This hobby may or may not be related to having three teens and living in LA.)

Monica also co-hosted The Propaganda Report and the Drivetime News Blast as well as Deep Dives with Monica Perez.

*Podcast intro music is from the song "The Queens Jig" by "Musicke & Mirth" from their album "Music for Two Lyra Viols": http://musicke-mirth.de/en/recordings.html (available on iTunes or Amazon

Cognitive Dissidents: King Trump, Resource Wars, & Stable-cons #14

“Civil War Is Coming” is a bold and haunting reflection on division, truth, and the human cost of conflict. With driving guitars, passionate vocals, and lyrics that cut deep, the song captures the tension of a world on edge — part warning, part lament, and part call for awareness.

Blending the raw storytelling of protest folk with the power of modern rock, this track challenges listeners to look closer at the chaos around us and the choices we make within it.

Civil War Is Coming

A plaque honoring Samuel E. Eddy, a Chesterfield resident who received a Congressional Medal of Honor for heroics during the Civil War that included saving his commander’s life, was recently installed at the Chesterfield Gorge where Eddy lived. 


Verse 1
In the hills of western Mass,
Where the river winds below,
Lived a man named Samuel Eddy,
With a heart like forge-fire's glow.
When the call for Union thundered,
He was older, yet he stood,
Left his home in Chesterfield,
To fight for what was good.

Chorus
Hero of Chesterfield,
You held the line so true.
Hero of Chesterfield,
The light still shines for you.
Through smoke and pain you saved a friend,
And history sealed your name.
Hero of Chesterfield,
Your courage lit the flame.

Verse 2
At Petersburg the guns were loud,
He was struck but carried on.
At Sailor's Creek he rose again,
Before the break of dawn.
He saw his captain fall that day,
Stepped forward through the field,
He raised his arm, he took the shot,
And never thought to yield.

Chorus
Hero of Chesterfield,
You held the line so true.
Hero of Chesterfield,
The light still shines for you.
Through smoke and pain you saved a friend,
And history sealed your name.
Hero of Chesterfield,
Your courage lit the flame.

Bridge
Now the Gorge remembers you,
Where the forest meets the stone.
A plaque stands tall for all to see,
So you'll never walk alone.

Final Chorus
Hero of Chesterfield,
We sing your story still.
Hero of Chesterfield,
Your heart and iron will.
You gave your strength, your steadfast grace,
So others might be free.
Hero of Chesterfield,
Your light lives on in me.

Hero of Chesterfield

Harvest of Death

Everyone talks about Civil War, but it turns out there was an equally important event that shook the foundations of the Marvel universe -- Annihilation. Join Josh and BComp as they rocket into the Final Frontier with one of Marvel’s most important books! 

How “Annihilation” made the MCU’s Guardians of the Galaxy is a thing! We Got Issues #19

164 years ago, the Covington, Kentucky, chapter of the “Band of the Union” published a pamphlet to explain their organization. They were dedicated to resisting Kentucky’s secession from the United States during the Civil War.

Members of this club operated across the state and had to answer questions for entrance into the society, including “Are you opposed to the secession of the State of Kentucky from said Union, and are you ready and willing to do all in your power to prevent that secession?” 

While secret societies existed for both Union and Confederate sides across the US during the Civil War, this pro-Union organization gathered like-minded individuals, named on these documents, to preserve the United States in the wake of the Civil War.

I’m Mackenzie Scarlott a Museum Educator for the Kentucky Historical Society. Learn more at history.ky.gov


December 1, 2025 - Band of the Union Club Ledger

164 years ago, Julia Marcum’s family home was attacked by Confederate soldiers in Scott County, Tennessee.

“Aunt Julia,” as she was known, had to violently defend her family. After brandishing an axe, she was hit with a bayonet that caused the loss of one eye and one of her fingers. Her family was attacked for a second time by Confederate soldiers, and her father moved them to Kentucky to avoid more conflict. 

In 1885, Marcum was one of only a few women who successfully petitioned Congress for a war pension due to her injuries. She also was the only woman admitted as a full member of the Grand Army of the Republic, a veteran’s organization of Union soldiers in the Civil War.

I’m Sydney Thaler a Museum Programs Coordinator for the Kentucky Historical Society. Learn more at history.ky.gov

December 8, 2025 - Hand-written history of Julia Marcum

The Geopolitics & Empire Podcast conducts interviews with prominent international experts on a wide-range of topics.

Past guests have included diplomats, government officials, whistleblowers, soldiers, spies, economists, academics, scientists, wealthy investors, dissidents, journalists, and musicians.

The broadcast seeks to gain insight from guests who come from the left, right, and beyond. It should go without saying that the host does not always agree with beliefs espoused by podcast invitees, but maintains an open mind, and believes it important to respectfully listen to a multitude of voices and let listeners come to their own conclusions.

*Music used in podcast intro is from the song "The Queens Jig" by "Musicke & Mirth" from their album "Music for Two Lyra Viols": http://musicke-mirth.de/en/recordings.html (available on iTunes or Amazon)

这是一个来自亚特兰大深处的地下极端金属项目，我们的目标是揭露这个我们称之为 Terra（或者用人类众多绵羊的语言来说，“地球”）的恶魔地狱扭曲真相。

我们反对一切形式的人类，正如创始人乐队 Mayhem 通过他们的黑金属启示（俗称“Deathcrush”）所期望的那样。作为一个政治团体，我们痛恨帝国、仇恨、战争和贪婪，我们一定会改变这个世界......无论好坏。

突然嗅闻死亡的音乐是战争金属乐队如 Bestial Warlust 和 Blasphemy 的暴力深度、Thou 和 Funeral 的敬畏末日感、Extermination Dismemberment、Suffocation 和 Devourment 的猛烈冲击的粗犷、死亡压迫、煎熬、直击的混合体;《圣甲虫》和《脂肪瘤》的旋律黑暗，《出埃及记》和《金属乐团》的经典律动，贝多芬、莫扎特、亨德尔、海顿、比才、舒伯特、舒曼的精致，An underground extreme metal project from the depths of Atlanta, we aim to expose the twisted truth of this demonic hellscape we call Terra (or, in the language of the abundant sheep of humanity, "Earth"). 

We oppose humanity in all forms, just as the founding fathers, a band called Mayhem, intended with their Black Metal revelation colloquially known as "Deathcrush." As a political band in nature, we detest empire, hatred, war, and greed, and we WILL make a change in this world... for better or for worse.

Sudden Sniffing Death's music is an abrasive, deathcrushing, torturous, boiling, visceral blend of the violent depths of War Metal bands such as Bestial Warlust and Blasphemy, the reverent doom of Sludge Metal bands like Thou and Funeral, the hard-hitting slam of Extermination Dismemberment, Suffocation, and Devourment; the melodic darkness of Scarab and Lipoma, the classic groove of Exodus and Metallica, the sophistication of Beethoven, Mozart, Handel, Haydn, Bizet, Schubert, Schumann, Joseph Bolougne, Shostakovich, Hildegard von Bingen, among hundreds of others; classic rock bands like the Beatles, Elvis, Sister Rosetta; and lived darkness that each and every affiliate of the band has experienced to unimaginable extents and been shaped into miserable shells of the demons we were born as, shed of original sin, but newfound Lords of Death.

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We educate and engage the public through KY’s history in order to meet the challenges of the future.

New tracks tagged #civil war