With Good Reason

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The American Civil War has produced a number of mythical characters. Perhaps there are none like the notorious Champ Ferguson, a Confederate guerrilla who claimed to have killed over 100 Union soldiers and sympathizers. Brian McKnight (University of Virginia’s College at Wise) says Ferguson was both a skilled fighter and a ruthless murderer who exploited the war for his own financial gain. McKnight is the author of a new book called “Confederate Outlaw: Champ Ferguson and the Civil War in Appalachia.”Also featured: When the Civil War ended, Confederate veterans and their families were faced with rebuilding their lives—while also coming to terms with defeat. Jeffrey McClurken (University of Mary Washington) is author of a new book that’s being called the “most complete community-based study of how Confederate veteran families adjusted in the postwar South.” And: Producer Kelley Libby takes a look at the ways Americans commemorate the Civil War—including podcasting. Civil War experts Chuck Ross and David Coles (Longwood University) are producers of “That A Nation Might Live,” a podcast that recounts the events of the Civil War week by week for five years.