James Hessler's Gettysburg History: Books, Travel, Podcasts, Speaking

06/15/2026

I have to do at least one CWI check in? Striking the pose behind the podium today. A big thanks to Civil War Institute for having me back again this year and to everyone who attended my 8 hours of "Custer in History and Memory." An engaged group with lots of questions and opinions. Special thanks to Nina for making the day better IYKYK.

06/13/2026

Cool pic of the Rummel farm lane. Those attending my CWI “Custer in History and Memory” on Monday for Gettysburg College’s Civil War Institute will get a rare chance to walk the lane with the current owners’ permission.

This week's shows an image of Rummel Road/Lane leading to the Rummel Farm in the East Cavalry Battlefield area, circa 1934.

📸 Gettysburg National Military Park

06/12/2026

It’s been a busy week for video releases. I am always pleased to join Wayne Motts and the National Civil War Museum for any activity. We are on East Cavalry Field discussing a Civil War ID disc that belonged to a member of Custer’s 6th Michigan Cavalry. This unit was active from Hanover through Falling Waters and beyond Appomattox when they were sent West to fight Indians. Great opportunity to see an item on the field where its owner fought. A short video! Support the National Civil War Museum!

After 163 years, a remarkable Civil War artifact has returned to Gettysburg.

Join Wayne Motts and special guest historian James A. Hessler at East Cavalry Field as they explore the personal identification disk of Bugler Amos Konkel, Company F, 6th Michigan Volunteer Cavalry Regiment. Worn during service in George Custer's famed Michigan Cavalry Brigade, this artifact provides a powerful connection to the soldiers who fought at Gettysburg.

Discover the story behind the relic, the soldier who carried it, and the battlefield where history unfolded.

🎥 Watch now on our YouTube channel! https://youtu.be/rxLRc1vHa_I

06/11/2026

After yesterday’s Sickles video, we now move on to Tavern Talk. In our latest collaboration with Matt at AG, we moderated this discussion on the Little Big Horn campaign. Feedback seems positive, but as with Sickles, we will always encounter strong opinions on Custer. I couldn’t imagine only focusing on historical figures that people “like”.

🔴Addressing History Tavern Talks: Little Bighorn with Jim Hessler -...

06/10/2026

Ok! I was not expecting to see this one pop up on YouTube but here it is. Recorded last year. The actual title was "Sickles and Me and You" so the intent was not to do a Sickles bio video, but the Sickles Trolls always come out in force on the ABT Sickles videos. You know the "Sickles! How could anyone defend Sickles!!" types that this talk was actually aimed at. So, watch. Like. ;-)

Licensed Battlefield Guide Jim Hessler details all things involving...

06/08/2026

We are less than one month away from the Gettysburg battle anniversary and there is still time to get tickets for "Fields of Fire II" on July 1 at Gettysburg History's Beyond the Battle Museum. I will be doing the Forney farm and there is a lot to unpack in 30-45 minutes: pre-battle, battle, and post-battle. Andrew Dalton will be talking the Harmon farm, based on his excellent book. Our pal Phil Spaugy will then bat cleanup with the McLean farm. Over 100+ seats have been sold, but the room is huge and can hold many more. As always, proceeds benefit Gettysburg History. Registration link in the comments. (Reminder too that this is INDOORS. There was lots of confusion about that last year.)

06/07/2026

Thanks to the GAR Museum in Philly for the invite and a nice turnout who joined me on a Sunday afternoon (via Zoom) to talk Sickles. As Sickles was often encouraged to “talk all night!”, we stayed well into the afternoon answering lots of questions. Consider supporting the GAR Museum in their efforts!

Welcome to the Grand Army of the Republic Civil War Museum and Archive. The museum is located in a historically certified building,

06/06/2026

51 seconds from the beach at Normandy in 2019.

06/05/2026

More Little Bighorn! This is a talk that I did with our pal Matt at Addressing Gettysburg a while ago. AG is re-releasing this as a companion for our new Little Bighorn Tavern Talk, which will premier on AG next week! Who says we are only Sickles here?!?

As we prepare for June 8th release of Tavern Talks S1E2: Custer and...