Señor Raul “Ribeye” Salbergo,

On this day, November 10, 1775, the Continental Congress authorized the creation of two battalions of Marines. That was the beginning of the United States Marine Corps, 251 years ago today. Samuel Nicholas was commissioned as the first captain of Marines. By tradition, he recruited his first men at Tun Tavern in Philadelphia. Robert Mullan, whose family operated the tavern, also became a Marine officer and helped recruit men for the new force. The Marines didn’t waste much time getting into action. In March 1776, Marines joined an expedition to New Providence in the Bahamas, where they seized British cannons, ammunition, and gunpowder. It was the first amphibious operation in Marine Corps history. Nicholas’s Marines also fought alongside George Washington’s army at Trenton and Princeton. The original Continental Marines were disbanded after the Revolutionary War, but Congress reestablished the Marine Corps on July 11, 1798. For years, that was the date Marines celebrated. That changed in 1921, when Commandant John A. Lejeune issued Order No. 47, officially recognizing November 10, 1775, as the Corps’ birthday. He also ordered the message to be read to Marines every year, a tradition that continues today. From the American Revolution to conflicts around the world, the Marines have been part of American military history for 251 years. Happy 251st birthday to the United States Marine Corps. Semper Fidelis.

On this day, November 9, 1825, Ambrose Powell Hill was born in Culpeper, Virginia. He would become one of the hardest-hitting commanders in the Army of Northern Virginia. Hill graduated from West Point in 1847, alongside George McClellan and Ambrose Burnside. He arrived in Mexico just as the fighting was ending, later served in the Seminole Wars in Florida, and worked with the U.S. Coast Survey. When Virginia seceded in 1861, he resigned his commission and returned home. Hill took command of the 13th Virginia Infantry and quickly rose through the ranks. In 1862, his famous Light Division became known for its speed and fighting ability. He fought at the Seven Days Battles, Cedar Mountain and Second Manassas. At Harpers Ferry, his division helped secure the surrender of roughly 12,500 Union troops, one of the largest surrenders in American military history. Hill’s finest moment came on September 17, 1862. After Burnside’s Union troops threatened to roll up Lee’s right flank, Hill arrived with his division after a grueling 17-mile march from Harpers Ferry. His men struck Burnside’s exposed flank and drove the Federals back toward the creek. His arrival helped save Lee’s army from a potential defeat. Hill was wounded at Chancellorsville. Following Jackson’s death, he was promoted to lieutenant general and given command of the newly created Third Corps. He later fought at Gettysburg, the Wilderness and the Petersburg Campaign. On April 2, 1865, as Union forces broke through the Confederate lines at Petersburg, Hill rode forward to rally his men. He was shot and killed. He was just 39 years old, one week before Lee’s surrender at Appomattox. Hill has been buried at multiple locations, but he now rests in his hometown of Culpeper, Virginia at Fairview Cemetery. #civilwar #americanhistory

On this day in 1861, a Union naval captain seized two Confederate diplomats from a British ship, nearly bringing Britain and the United States to war. This became known as the Trent Affair James Murray Mason and John Slidell were sent overseas by Jefferson Davis to win foreign support for the Confederacy. Mason was headed to Britain and Slidell to France. Their mission was to secure diplomatic recognition and hopefully gain support for the South. They made it through the Union blockade, reached Cuba, and boarded the British mail steamer RMS Trent. On November 8, Captain Charles Wilkes of the USS San Jacinto intercepted the ship. He sent a boarding party aboard and removed Mason, Slidell, and their two secretaries. He then allowed the British ship to continue to Britain. Wilkes had acted without orders from Washington. More importantly, he had seized the men without bringing the ship before a prize court to determine whether the capture was legal. The prisoners were taken to Fort Warren in Boston Harbor. Across the North, Wilkes was celebrated for his actions. But Britain saw it very differently. An American warship had stopped a British vessel and forcibly removed passengers from it. Britain demanded their release and an apology. Troops were sent to Canada, and preparations were made for a possible war. Lincoln now faced the possibility of fighting the Confederacy and Britain at the same time. Lincoln eventually backed down. On December 26, Secretary of State William Seward agreed to release the diplomats. Mason and Slidell were handed over to the British on January 1, 1862. The Trent Affair was a major crisis for Lincoln. It nearly led to war with Great Britain.

Jackson's most trusted general wasn't A.P. Hill or Jubal Early, it was Elisha Paxton, the lawyer-turned-commander of the Stonewall Brigade. I'm joined by author and historian Jerry Maatman Jr. to talk about his new book, Stonewall's Lieutenant: The Life of General Elisha Franklin Paxton, Commander of the Stonewall Brigade. We cover who Paxton was, how he went from enemies with Thomas J. Jackson to becoming his closest confidant and chief of staff, why Jackson jumped him from major over five colonels to lead the Stonewall Brigade, what Paxton and the brigade did at First Manassas, Kernstown, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, his premonition of death on May 3rd, and what happened to his widow, three boys, and 60-year estate after. Find Jackson's Lieutenant on Amazon and direct from Schiffer Publishing. Buy the book here: amazon.com/Stonewalls-Lieute… Thanks for watching. If you enjoyed this video, please like, subscribe to Manifest History, and hit the bell so you never miss an upload. Drop your thoughts in the comments below — who should I cover next from the Stonewall Brigade?

Pickett’s Charge gets remembered, but Gregg and Custer’s stand helped save the day. Gettysburg lifted Custer’s reputation, while one costly week shadowed Stuart’s legacy—a turning point with consequences for both men. #Gettysburg #History

On this day in 1861, Jefferson Davis was elected to a full six-year term as President of the Confederate States. He had been provisional president since February. He wouldn’t be inaugurated for his full term until February 22, 1862. Davis was born June 3, 1808, in Kentucky and raised in Mississippi. He graduated from West Point, fought in the Mexican-American War, and came home a war hero. He served as a U.S. senator and as Secretary of War under Franklin Pierce, where he pushed for a stronger army and a southern transcontinental railroad. When Mississippi seceded, he resigned his Senate seat. He preferred a military command over the presidency, but the Confederate Congress chose him anyway. As president, he faced a difficult job. He had a new country, a struggling treasury, a naval blockade, and state governors who frequently challenged his authority. He appointed Robert E. Lee to command the Army of Northern Virginia and remained president until the Confederacy fell. After the war, Davis was captured in Georgia, held at Fortress Monroe for two years, and indicted for treason, but never brought to trial. He spent the rest of his life defending the Confederate cause and writing his memoirs. He died in New Orleans on December 6, 1889. Davis was not a perfect leader. He was stubborn, often rigid, and made plenty of enemies. But he carried the Confederacy for four years against odds that would have broken most men.

Pickett’s Charge is famous. The cavalry battle that left it without a rear attack is not. Custer’s charge stopped J.E.B. Stuart before he reached the Baltimore Pike—and Pickett advanced alone. #Gettysburg #CivilWar

On this day in 1811, William Henry Harrison’s army fought the Battle of Tippecanoe in what is now Indiana. It would become one of the most famous battles on the American frontier and help launch Harrison’s political career. The conflict grew out of American expansion into the Northwest Territory. In 1809, the Treaty of Fort Wayne transferred roughly three million acres to the United States. Tecumseh opposed the agreement and was working to unite Native tribes against further American expansion. His brother, Tenskwatawa, known as the Prophet, led a religious movement based at Prophetstown. Harrison, governor of Indiana Territory, marched roughly 1,000 soldiers toward the settlement. Tecumseh was away recruiting support from southern tribes and was not present for the battle. On the morning of November 7, Native warriors launched a surprise attack on Harrison’s camp. The fighting was fierce, with warriors striking the American lines from multiple directions. Captain Spier Spencer’s Indiana militia company, known as the “Yellow Jackets,” suffered heavy casualties, and Spencer was killed. Major Joseph Hamilton Daveiss was also mortally wounded leading a counterattack. Harrison moved his troops to reinforce the line, and after roughly two hours of fighting, the Native warriors withdrew. The following day, Harrison’s men entered Prophetstown and burned it to the ground. Although an American victory, the battle did not end Tecumseh’s resistance. He continued building his confederacy and eventually allied with the British during the War of 1812. For Harrison, Tippecanoe essentially launched him to the presidency in 1840 with Jonathan Tyler. Their famous campaign slogan was “Tippecanoe and Tyler Too.”

Robert E. Lee split his army in enemy territory — and George McClellan found the proof wrapped around cigars. He still waited 18 hours. *Link to full video in the comments* In this breakdown of the Battle of Sharpsburg (Antietam), I cover why Lee marched into Maryland in September 1862 for food and the Shenandoah Valley harvest, how Special Order 191 divided his roughly 40,000 men four ways, how Corporal Barton Mitchell and Sergeant John Bloss found the lost order at Frederick, and why McClellan froze. We play devil's advocate from McClellan's view — Pinkerton telling him Lee had 100,000 to 120,000 men — then show why 18 hours wasn't caution, it was paralysis. I also compare McClellan to Bragg before Chickamauga, walk South Mountain, September 17th, and September 18th, and explain how Sharpsburg gave Lincoln the win he needed to issue the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation.

Tunstall was shot off his horse on the trail. His killers claimed he resisted arrest—but no one was arrested. His ranch hands turned to the law, then called themselves the Regulators. #WildWest #History

On this day in 1833, Confederate Brigadier General Edward Dorr Tracy Jr. was born in Macon, Georgia. Tracy was a lawyer before the war, and he moved to Huntsville, Alabama in the 1850s. When war broke out, Tracy raised a company in the 4th Alabama Infantry and fought at First Manassas. He later served in the Western Theater, fighting at Shiloh before being promoted to brigadier general in 1862 at just 28 years old. His final battle was Port Gibson, Mississippi, on May 1, 1863, during the opening of Grant’s Vicksburg Campaign. Tracy’s Alabama brigade fought fiercely against the advancing Union forces, holding its position against repeated attacks. During the fighting, Tracy was shot and killed by a Union sharpshooter. He was just 29 years old. He is buried in Rose Hill Cemetery in Macon, Georgia. A bronze bust of Tracy by sculptor Solon Borglum stands at Vicksburg National Military Park. #OnThisDay #civilwar

In September 1862, Robert E. Lee split his 40,000-man Army of Northern Virginia 20 miles apart in Maryland to wipe out 12,000 Union troops at Harpers Ferry. This is why Stonewall Jackson had just 3 days to take it before the Battle of Sharpsburg. I break down why Lee invaded Maryland for food and political pressure, why the Harpers Ferry garrison sat right on his supply line back to Virginia, how Lee's read that McClellan was cautious and timid gave him the confidence to divide, and how Jackson's artillery on the heights forced the largest U.S. surrender until World War II — and left Lee with his back to the Potomac. Thursday we're breaking down Special Order 191 and why McClellan waited 18 hours with Lee's entire plan in his pocket. YouTube: youtube.com/@Manifest_Histor… manifesthistory.com/ Chapters: 00:00 - 12,000 Union Troops Behind Lee 00:30 - Why Lee Invaded Maryland in 1862 02:10 - The Problem at Harpers Ferry 03:40 - Why Lee Thought He Could Split His Army 05:00 - Jackson's 3-Day Race for the Heights 06:35 - A Win That Left Lee Exposed 07:45 - What McClellan Found on September 13th

On this day in 1864, the Battle of Johnsonville took place when Nathan Bedford Forrest launched a devastating attack on a major Union supply depot and river fleet in Tennessee. By the fall of 1864, Johnsonville was a major Union supply hub for the armies operating around Nashville and supporting the campaign in Georgia. Supplies traveled up the Tennessee River by steamboat before being transferred to railroads. Forrest saw an opportunity to strike a vulnerable supply line. He moved his cavalry and artillery into concealed positions on the west bank of the river, overlooking Johnsonville. On November 4, his guns opened fire on the Union gunboats, transports, barges, and supply depot. The bombardment was devastating. Fearing Forrest would cross the river and capture the vessels and supplies, Union commanders ordered their own boats burned. The flames spread to the docks, warehouses, and enormous stockpiles of military supplies. By the time it was over, four Union gunboats and numerous transports and barges had been destroyed, along with millions of dollars in supplies and equipment. Forrest had no formal military training, but he had a rare ability to recognize enemy weaknesses and exploit them. Johnsonville was one of the most unusual Confederate victories of the war. It was also a perfect example of what made Nathan Bedford Forrest so dangerous. It was attacks like this that Forrest was known as the “Wizard of the Saddle.”

James K. Polk was born on this day, November 2, 1795, in Pineville, North Carolina. He's one of my favorite presidents. Polk was a protégé and ally of Andrew Jackson, and they called him "Young Hickory." He served in the House, rising to Speaker. He supported Jackson's fights, including the Bank War, as a loyal lieutenant. He won the 1844 election as the first real dark horse nominee. He also promised something almost no politician does. He said he would serve one term, and that’s it. Once President, he got to work. Texas was part of it, though the wheels were in motion well before he took office. Texas wasn't officially a state when Polk assumed the Presidency. Texas voters approved it that October, and Polk signed the bill making Texas the 28th state on December 29, 1845. He finished what others started. He settled the Oregon boundary with Britain at the 49th parallel. He won the war with Mexico and brought in California and the Southwest. He cut the tariff with the Walker Tariff and set up the Independent Treasury System. In four years, he accomplished nearly everything he set out to do, and the country grew by well over a million square miles. He kept his word and left office in March 1849, worn out from the work. He died on June 15, 1849, only about three months later, at 53. Whatever you think of him, he set goals, hit every one, and went home. That’s rare. Especially for the Presidency.

Stephen F. Austin was born on this day, November 3, 1793, in Austinville, Virginia. He is considered the "Father of Texas.” His father, Moses Austin, got permission from Spain to settle American families in Texas, but he died in 1821 before he could do it. Stephen took over, and the new Mexican government confirmed the grant. In December 1821, he began establishing his colony along the Brazos River. The first 300 families became known as the "Old Three Hundred." For years Austin worked within the Mexican system. He became a Mexican citizen, advocated for the rights of settlers, and pushed for Texas to become a separate Mexican state. In 1833 he traveled to Mexico City to press that case. After writing a letter urging Texans to organize their own state government, he was arrested in January 1834. He spent nearly a year in prison without trial and remained confined to Mexico City until July 1835. He returned to Texas a changed man. Austin now supported armed resistance and was elected commander of the Texian volunteer army, leading its forces during the 1835 siege of Bexar. He later traveled to the United States to raise money, recruit volunteers, and secure support for independence. Sam Houston won the presidency of the Republic of Texas in 1836. Austin accepted appointment as Secretary of State. He died of pneumonia on December 27, 1836, at just 43 years old, only months after Texas won its independence. Texas’s capital city bears his name. Few men did more to make Texas independent than Stephen F. Austin.

My book review of Jeb’s new book.

This is why I avoid homes with HOAs

Born on this day, November 3, 1816, was Confederate Lt. Gen. Jubal A. Early, one of Robert E. Lee’s most aggressive and outspoken commanders Early was born in Franklin County, Virginia, and graduated from West Point in 1837. He served in the Seminole War and Mexican-American War before returning to Virginia to practice law. Although he voted against secession in 1861, once Virginia left the Union, Early joined the Confederacy. He saw extensive service throughout the Civil War, fighting at First Manassas, Williamsburg, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. Known for his stubbornness and sharp tongue, he earned Lee’s confidence and the nickname “my bad old man.” In 1864, Lee gave him an independent command in the Shenandoah Valley. Early launched an aggressive campaign, defeated Union forces, won at Monocacy and marched his army to the outskirts of Washington, D.C. His troops reached Fort Stevens, where President Lincoln personally came under Confederate fire. It was the closest the Confederates came to threatening the Union capital during the war. But Philip Sheridan’s arrival turned the tide. Early suffered defeats at Winchester, Fisher’s Hill and Cedar Creek. In March 1865, his remaining forces were routed at Waynesboro, and Lee relieved him of command. After Lee surrendered, Early fled the country, going to Mexico, Cuba and Canada before returning to Virginia in 1869. He became one of the most outspoken defenders of the Confederacy, spending his remaining years defending it. He died in Lynchburg, Virginia, in 1894. Jubal Early was a talented, but often difficult commander. His 1864 campaign brought Confederate troops to the gates of Washington, D.C., and briefly reminded the North that even in the final year of the war, the Confederate army could still strike dangerously close to its capital.