The Secessionist Witch Hunt

Season 3, Episode 28. The Union defeat at Ball’s Bluff would prove to be the final straw for the Congressional Republicans, who had been growing increasingly distressed by the Union failures at the outset of the war. Their response was to form a committee tasked with investigating the war—which really meant a political witch hunt determined to find alleged secessionist sympathizers and military scapegoats upon whom the politicians could place the blame for the Union failures.

Chris Calton recounts the controversial history of the Civil War. This is the 28th episode in the third season of Historical Controversies. You may support this podcast financially at Mises.org/SupportHC.