It's worth mentioning that one of the most pivotal events in the story of Judah Ben-Hur occurred when he met Quintus Arrius who had been commissioned to combat Greek pirates in the Aegean Sea, thus demonstrating Wallace's understanding that all great stories involve pirates.
I don't have a solid source on this, but I have heard that part of the reason Wallace was made ambassador to the Ottoman Empire was because President Garfield was a huge fan of "Ben-Hur" and wanted another book. At the time Israel and the rest of the lands of the Bible were under Ottoman rule, so as an ambassador Wallace would have plenty of time and legal permission to explore the area to do research. I've heard of wanting a sequel, but most people don't want one badly enough to shape a nation's foreign policy around it.
Great comment. And as a line from The Cowboys goes...."Is that a TRUE story ?" The hoary headed bard who had related the far fetched tale: "IF it isn't, it OUGHT to be...."
The history guy is consistently one of the best. Always something interesting, always something new and different, always presented with enthusiasm but like a university lecture you actually enjoy & stay awake for!😸
I’ve learned more from THG, AvE, This Old Tony, and LockpickingLawyer than I ever learned in college! And they don’t mind if I drink beer in class! Lol!
I’m an old man and can’t afford to help you out monetarily, I just want you to know I thoroughly enjoy your videos. Perhaps one day you will explain how the chinstrap works on some of your hat collection? I always thought it was just a decoration embellishment. Regards from NC
NCR51 I can only talk about Union hats. The Kepi and Bummer hats have two straps of leather that are connected by a loop. The brass buttons at both temples, hold them on and let them pivot over the bill and under the chin. Then the loop is tightened ;and you won’t lose your hat when running!
I was in the Navy for four years and have only seen the chinstrap used once. I was on a heavy cruiser so we had Marines on board. One time a Marine came to the message center to pick up messages for the CO and XO and it was a windy day--he was using the chinstrap to keep his hat from blowing off.
Let Wallace was well known in our family. Since it a High School in Gary, IN was named after him. My father and mother graduated from their in 1943 my dad went on to be a teacher and principal at Lew Wallace. Many of my cousins and siblings also attended Lew Wallace. Thank you for this special video.
One thing THG didn't mention was Wallace's successful defense of Cincinnati, which was facing a threat of invasion by a Confederate army during Braxton Bragg's invasion of Kentucky. Wallace managed to organize an odd mix of regular soldiers, militia, police officers, and civilian volunteers into a fighting force so effective that the Confederates decided against attacking the city. Wallace's defense force was aided by a regiment of black laborers who poured countless hours digging trenches and building fortifications around the city. Initially forced into service at gunpoint by city police, Wallace ordered the blacks released from their conscription and then hired them back as volunteers, paying them the full military wage of 13 dollars per month. This was in 1862, well before the Union army had started enlisting black soldiers, and more than two years before Congress agreed to pay the army's black troops the full standard military salary of 13 dollars a month. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Brigade_of_Cincinnati
TheStapleGunKid...I'm a Black woman who loves history, I've never heard, or read about this, watched all of Ken Burns documentaries. Will research Lew Wallace. Thank you.
@@barbram8001 Indeed, with all the massive grand battles of the civil war, the defense of Cincinnati gets overlooked because it was such a huge success that no battle took place.
I was born in Crawfordsville, Ind. in 1957, and my Mom was from a nearby small town. We used to return every several years for a family reunion. Unfortunately, the Lew Wallace museum was always closed during our visits. I have lived in Florida since I was three, but always enjoyed visiting my birth town. I have visited the old POW camp at Andersonville. A very humbling experience. A must see for all Civil War buffs. And the little town of Andersonville, Ga. is quaint and enjoyable too.
Wallace's legacy is still strong in Indiana, though many here don't know who he was. Indy Eleven FC is named after his 11th IN Vols Reg he lead and there are many schools named after Lew in the state. Ben-Hur is usually the great eye-opener when you tell people who he was lol. Great video!
As a Hoosier, can confirm. Wallace is still a celebrated figure in our history classrooms, but often times my fellow students forget about him as a footnote of the Civil War.
Be sure to check out the book he wrote called The Fair God. I read it a long time ago and still have it in my small collection of books it is about the conquest of mexico and it is written from the perspective of an aztec prince. It inspired me to learn more about mexico. I liked it a bunch more than ben hur. I also read the prince of egypt written by him. but the fair god was far and away my favorite.
If you can't find or afford paper editions, all the Lew Wallace books mentioned here, including Ben Hur in English, Dutch, Italian and Finnish, can be found online, in electronic form, and free at Project Gutenberg.
Another excellent episode. Thank you for including Gen. Wallace's exploits, outside of his involvement in the US Civil War. That's really the only part of his career I've studied, especially the Battle of Shiloh. (IMO, Grant is the general who should take the blame for Shiloh.) I hope this gets thousands of views. Mr. Wallace truly deserves to be remembered. Thank you!
Two reasons I know of Lew Wallace is that 1: I was raised in Lincoln County New Mexico in the 70's and learned a lot about the Lincoln County War, I firmly believe that Wallace (figuartively) stabbed William Bonney in the back. 2: My great, great,(whatever) uncle was James Greathouse who knew and harbored Billy the Kid after he broke out of jail and even ended up in a shootout at his ranch. Now Jim was a character in his own right because when the Army prints a poster stating, "Wanted Dead or Alive, preferably dead." you KNOW you have a black sheep in the family!
@J D Because Bonney had eyewitness testimony about murder and other crimes committed in the Lincoln County Wars and struck a deal- face to face- with Wallace for a pardon if he gave testimony in trial. Bonney did exactly what he promised. Wallace backed out and dishonored himself in the process. Whatever else he achieved, Lew Wallace proved that his word was worthless.
@@thereforeayam That's the argument, but it ignores one important thing. The timing. As soon as the Kid gave his testimony, and that trial was done, he should have been given his full pardon, on the spot. The only reason he escaped from jail again, and killed again is because his alternative was to hang. He never was given the chance to walk away free, the promise of a pardon ignored while he was left to rot in jail for weeks, following his testimony. Wallace claimed, for years, that he had never agreed to the amnesty, but admitted the truth more than 20 years later, in a newspaper interview. He put the Kid in a kill or be killed situation, and the dirty Murphy-Dolan mob kept Garrett in pursuit. In that situation, the law enforcement was as dirty as everyone else. You were on one side or the other. Sheriff Brady, who's death the Kid was to hang for, led the killing of the Kid's employer and mentor, John Tunstall. That was a cold blooded murder, and the start of the Lincoln County War.
I used to live in Indiana, about 10 minutes driving time from Crawfordsville, in an old farm house built in the mid 1800s. I have heard much of Lew Wallace and his exploits. Thank you so much for making this episode, i will share it will my friends and family so they better understand and appreciate the legacy of this incredibly interesting man!
Thank you. I knew of Gen. Wallace involvement in Shiloh and that he went on to write Ben-Hur, but was totally unaware of the rest of his remarkable life. BTW - I'd love to see an episode devoted to how you find / choose your topics, and what some of your primary sources are when researching them.
Here here! That would be one of the very few "The Making Of" videos I would find interesting. How does he find all this amazing info and then present it so wonderfully? Please The History Guy, give this some thought!
Thank you so much for your considerable knowledge of Gen. Lew Wallace. Although he is not unknown to me. In 1959 my parents took me to see Ben-Hur at the Chinese Grauman theater in LA. It was during the Premiere week and Judah’s white chariot was in the lobby. I was only 8 years old, but it is still one of my favorite movies of all time. About 10 years ago I found a rare leather bound copy of Wallace’s Ben-Hur in a used bookstore. I bought it immediately and thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Afterwards, I started researching the author. I was fascinated to find out that he had been a civil war general and I learned of the confusion over Grant’s orders. However, I thought they were unfair to Wallace. The orders were not specific and that is Grant’s fault. The-many interesting facts I didn’t find in my research were his involvement with Billy the Kid, his service in Mexico, and his involvement in the Lincoln conspiracy trial. But one thing you left out is that before it was made into the 1st movie, Wallace produced an extremely popular play of Ben-Hur including a scene with two chariots and real horses at a dead run straight toward the audience running on giant treadmills. Ingenious!
Before film, Ben-Hur was performed on stage constantly. For the chariot race scene, often used were live horses running on a giant conveyor belt so several different chariots could remain on stage at full gallop. It still amazes me that during a time before electrified light, contraptions so complex were available
I am so glad you did a piece on Lew Wallace. I remember as a lad seeing that a Union General and the author of Ben Hur shared a name, So I looked him up in my Funk and Wagnall Encyclopedia, (a primitive precursor to Google,) and found it was one and the same man and dug some more. Ever since I have considered Lew Wallace to be the epitome of the renaissance man. If I could invite five people, from the past or present, for a good dinner with brandy and cigars, Lew Wallace would definitely be one of them.
I was born in NM and have retired here. Lincoln County and Otero. It’s go to see Wallace get his due. Thank you. My father was a great admirer of him and had a million bits of trivia stored in his teachers mind. When we went to the cabin in Ruidoso he would tart his dramatic recitation of the Lincoln County War. Love the memory.
It's videos of subjects like this that is the reason why THG is one of the best channels on UA-cam. I hated history in elementary school because it was always about memorizing stuff I'd soon forget instead of appreciating the vast sweep and scope of human endeavor. When school was behind me and I rediscovered history, I jumped in with both feet. History is Indiana Jones in real life. The History Guy demonstrates that with every video he makes. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
@@daveapplemotors - I was referring to all types of channels, not just history. I doubt if I have a favorite when considering all types; that would be like comparing apples and oranges. I can't say whether I like one cosmology channel better than an art channel better than a history channel better than a philosophy channel.
@@daveapplemotors ua-cam.com/channels/xr2d4As312LulcajAkKJYw.html is a history channel that concentrates on 18th century history of the American frontier. It has a very different vibe but is very popular and well-done.
I was born and raised in Crawfordsville Indiana, home of the Major General Lee Wallace Study and Museum. I remember visiting the museum in field trips as a child. Thank you for showcasing all of his achievements. We still have a building downtown called the Ben Hur Building after his book. There are etchings one the building of chariot scenes from his book. Thanks again. Great tribute to Major General Lew Wallace.
I was raised in Indiana and though I now live in California I am still a proud Hoosier. Thank you for highlighting the life of one of the many famous sons of Indiana.
Lifelong Hoosier, pretty sure I've never even been told about this man during my education. I'm from a very rural southern part of the state where the education was really bad when I was a kid, so any local history was VERY local. However, I've been through Crawfordsville literally 100s of times because I went to college in Lafayette and taking Route 231 from my county all the way up is much more relaxed than going up I-69 to Indy and hoping you don't lose a tire or worse on 65. Tangents aside, I have never heard of that museum before either, not on the local radios or a sign in town. I'm kinda disappointed I didn't know this back then and missed a chance to check it out back when I made that drive all the time. Better late than never though, and this is always my favorite place to hear it. Maybe it's because only those of us trapped here care, but midwestern history is definitive forgotten history. Thanks, keep it up!
What an amazing life he lived. I had no clue. I feel like he is one of those figures from history class we all "learn" about and forget rather easily. Thank you for making this video.
I love this episode! Wallace is a 4th cousin, 3x remove of mine and I am so glad to see him get his "15 minutes of fame" here! Our common ancestor is Peter Wallace, Sr., who is my 6th great grandfather and his 3rd great grandfather.
Lew Wallace was used as a mascot and featured on shirts sold by a professional soccer team in Indiana that took it’s name from his regiment, the Indy Eleven. They currently play in Lucas Oil Stadium
Lew Wallace may have been a poor student, but he was a great doer. Lawyer, writer, soldier, inventor, politician, statesman...what has changed in society that we no longer seem to have people like Lew Wallace around?
When I lived in Frederick, locals pronounced it ma-knock’-uh-see. The episode brings back fond memories of living within miles of four major battlefields. Glad we made the most of it while there. Thanks as always history guy!
I first read the of the controversy between Wallace and Grant in one of Bruce Catton's books on the Civil War; "Grant Moves South" was the title, if memory serves. I was twelve then and I'll be 70 on Sunday but that book of Civil War history has stayed in my mind all of these years. That is a sign of history well written, just as these videos presented by the History Guy which are well produced, and equally memorable.
I remember seeing the movie, Ben Hur as a child in 1959. It sparked an interest in history in me and that has never ended. I have read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation several times. There really was a "House of Hur" that was first mentioned in Exodus.
Yes, as you know, Hur and Aaron were leaders of Israel, with only Moses being higher in rank. I was born in 1961. I never saw _Ben Hur_ until the 1980s, but I remember seeing trinkets commemorating the film as a child. I distinctly remember a cookie tin that had depictions of the chariot race all over it. I think I must have spent a long time staring at the tin.
5:50 Jubal Early is an ancestor of actor Nathan Fillion. When Joss Whedon learned of this, he named the bounty hunter in the Firefly episode "Objects in Space" after the Confederate general. In the show, the character is played by actor Richard Brooks.
I am constantly surprised and pleased when you make videos and explore people, things and events that have been relegated to the great dust bin of history. Than you for your work.
An amazing episode! Each year, right before Easter, I incorporate William Wylie’s Ben-Hur into a unit study for my Latin Class. I think I may use this video as part of my set up. I knew Wallace wrote the book but this taught me so much more. Thank you!
Very pleased to report that I got a very fast response from Great Courses Plus, advising that when one clicks on Start Free Trial, the pricing information becomes available. Still think that it ought to be easier to find, but have to give praise where praise is due, and their response time was very, very good.
Can I just say that I love this channel? I just finished reading Ron Chernow's biography of Grant and his treatment of Wallace was, shall we say, less than even (it's a biography of Grant, I know, but still...). Thank you for this latest chapter in history worth knowing.
If you want a really good military biography of Wallace, we recommend Gail Stephens' SHADOW OF SHILOH. She put boots on the ground and walked the route Wallace took at the Battle of Shiloh.
Chernow's biography of Grant and his treatment of Wallace was, shall we say, less than even . Yep. It is crazy how many well-respected writers get the details wrong: www.citizenssyllabus.org/logic-epistemology/expert-error-lew-wallace-at-shiloh?rq=Wallace
Seeing Ben-Hur on the big screen was quite impressive when it became an early "blockbuster" at the box office when I first seen the 1957 movie version. It made me want to read the book version as well as learn more about its multi-talented author . I was impressed by your work on General Lew Wallace showing that he was a violin maker among other things , also by his being a kind of legal friend to the more (modern times) famous " Billy the Kid" !
I only heard of GEN. WALLACE as the GOV. of NEW MEXICO and his dealings with "BILLY the kid" thank you for the more exciting story of HIS life.. RATED as EXTRA GREAT VIDEO
Did you hear that he along with genl. Hunter both raised the alarm about a conspiracy threatening the President? Then recanted. Both were on the jury for the Mary Surrat trial.
@@yoopermann7942 The best source, I know of, is a book "Who murdered Lincoln," by Otto Eisenshimmel, (Who's father or grandfather fought at Shilo.) He uses a lot of Government documents, from the two assassination trials, to draw his conclusions. Ever hear of Lt. Genl. Lafayette Baker? Avery American should find out about him.
I live just a few minutes from his home in Crawfordsville. Another notable mention of Crawfordsville is the Rotary Jail Museum, one of the first, and the last operating rotary jails. Thank you for making history interesting!
Thank you History Guy, I just added Ben-Hur to my book list on Amazon, and next time I order something in about a month or so, I will purchase it. I did hear about this battle, but I had no idea it went this way, good information, detailed and complete. Thank you!
Pretty damn amazing how such historically important people are forgotten with time. It’s fantastic that as long as we continue to have electricity and the internet that these stories can be watched. The comments are often as great as the video as so many relevant and interesting comments are left.
You should read his other books. My favorite was The Fair God. It is about the conquest of mexico by hernan cortez, but it is also seen from the perspective of a an Aztex warrior. it inspired me to do research into the history of mexico, and was a fascinating read it was in my humble opinion better than ben hurr and also as far as i know very historically correct.
My favorite quote from Lew Wallace is "Every calculation based on experience elsewhere fails in New Mexico." Having lived in New Mexico almost all of my life, this quote hits the mark.
Thank you for making this one! As a native of Indiana, I collect historical 'bits' about the state, especially to share with younger parents and their students. I've been hoping for some new Hoosier history topics from the History Guy.
Fascinating. As many others have said, before this I only knew of Lew Wallace as the author Ben-Hur. So today is a success because I learned something!
Thank you for this awesome look in to history i have seen Ben Hur and never connected it to this awesome man he is history that needs to be remembered for all the things he has done Thank you again for enriching our lives with this knowlage
Sir , you amaze me, i can watch your history videos all day. I was always a history buff but you have Enlightened me to so much more then you could know, thank you.
I had no idea of Wallace's accomplishments before I watched this video. Neither did I know how popular he became by publishing Ben Hur. The History Guy is a gift to us who are curious about the world!
Thanks for this one. I knew the name of the novel. When I went to Philmont Boy Scout Ranch in 1996 we were told that Wallace worked on/finished Ben Hur at Bent Cabin on the ranch's property.
Another well made and very interesting story Mr. THG... thanks a million for helping us know more about history (that deserves to be remembered). Saludos from Chile!
My father told me when I was a young man, to make sure I enjoy my life and live my life and not anyone else's. Most likely 50 years after you pass nobody will remember you so make sure, make sure that you live your life. 50 years ago I attended a prominent military academy, we studied General Wallace briefly. Mostly his defensive actions in the battle concerning Washington and a little of the communication aspect of the Civil War concerning Shiloh. What a great man Lew Wallace was I did not realize how great of a man he was thank you History Guy 🍸
I’ve often thought Grant gave short shrift to Wallace at Shilo. Grant himself was caught off guard, unsure of the situation not being at the site of the attack initially, and gave confusing orders during the initial part of the battle. Having only one force go astray that day is actually pretty amazing. Also, I’ve no doubt all of this would have been a mute point had A.S. Johnston not been killed that afternoon, leaving the command of the Confederates to Beauregard.
Another outstanding video, THG with excellent presentation! I knew alot of this information but not all of it. And yes, Lew Wallace was one of THE most interesting and impactful people in US history. If current events in Illinois catch fire, you had better get as much US history like this posted before it's banned! Once again, great job giving us history that certainly deserves to be remembered.
Another well done episode. Mr Wallace was one of my late father's favorites, and he didn't have many. [Another favorite was Iben Browning. My father met him and I have read his books.] The mess at Shiloh was typical of military politics and a real shame. An Iowa ancestor of mine was wounded at Shiloh and died in Vicksburg. later of disease. Because of my father, I was well acquainted with some of the stories and military history of Lew Wallace. You hit some things I didn't know about later in his life. Thank you for telling the story of this awesome man.
Outstanding video. Loved that intro. Classic. Wasn't sure what you were going to talk about and it all came together. Keep up the good work. Look forward to "history that deserves to be remembered."
You should do a video on Joseph Wheeler. He has a statue in the National Statuary Hall Collection for Alabama, but Congress has voted to remove it because Joseph Wheeler served as a Confederate cavalry general in the Army of Tennessee. I believe Joseph Wheeler's statue should stay, not because of his service during the Civil War, but his service after it. Wheeler was called upon by the US Army to command the cavalry during the Spanish-American War and Wheeler answered that call. There's a picture of him with Teddy Roosevelt. For the time, a former Confederate general returning to service in the US Army was seen as part of the healing of the nation's wounds from the Civil War. This is history that deserves to be remembered before it is erased, forgotten, and misrepresented.
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Another wonderful presentation. Thanks again, History Guy
Another interesting Lew Wallace fact is that he built an apartment building in Indianapolis. The Blacherne named after the Byzantine palace Blachernae was a seven story building built in 1895 and expanded in 1896. It was quite luxurious for the time and during its early years was home to many of the big name families in the area. Wallace wintered there until his death. The building is still there today and it looks quite nice.
It's worth mentioning that one of the most pivotal events in the story of Judah Ben-Hur occurred when he met Quintus Arrius who had been commissioned to combat Greek pirates in the Aegean Sea, thus demonstrating Wallace's understanding that all great stories involve pirates.
I don't have a solid source on this, but I have heard that part of the reason Wallace was made ambassador to the Ottoman Empire was because President Garfield was a huge fan of "Ben-Hur" and wanted another book. At the time Israel and the rest of the lands of the Bible were under Ottoman rule, so as an ambassador Wallace would have plenty of time and legal permission to explore the area to do research.
I've heard of wanting a sequel, but most people don't want one badly enough to shape a nation's foreign policy around it.
Great comment. And as a line from The Cowboys goes...."Is that a TRUE story ?" The hoary headed bard who had related the far fetched tale:
"IF it isn't, it OUGHT to be...."
Garfield wrote about it in his diary. www.ben-hur.com/blacherne-apartments-and-blachernae-palace/
The history guy is consistently one of the best. Always something interesting, always something new and different, always presented with enthusiasm but like a university lecture you actually enjoy & stay awake for!😸
I’ve learned more from THG, AvE, This Old Tony, and LockpickingLawyer than I ever learned in college! And they don’t mind if I drink beer in class! Lol!
If you like brainwashing propaganda that is.
Yep
Well said.
@@Itsatz0 considering your avatar and the username, my days of not taking this seriously are certainly coming to a middle
I’m an old man and can’t afford to help you out monetarily, I just want you to know I thoroughly enjoy your videos. Perhaps one day you will explain how the chinstrap works on some of your hat collection? I always thought it was just a decoration embellishment. Regards from NC
NCR51 I can only talk about Union hats. The Kepi and Bummer hats have two straps of leather that are connected by a loop. The brass buttons at both temples, hold them on and let them pivot over the bill and under the chin. Then the loop is tightened ;and you won’t lose your hat when running!
I was in the Navy for four years and have only seen the chinstrap used once. I was on a heavy cruiser so we had Marines on board. One time a Marine came to the message center to pick up messages for the CO and XO and it was a windy day--he was using the chinstrap to keep his hat from blowing off.
Let Wallace was well known in our family. Since it a High School in Gary, IN was named after him. My father and mother graduated from their in 1943 my dad went on to be a teacher and principal at Lew Wallace. Many of my cousins and siblings also attended Lew Wallace. Thank you for this special video.
My high school's auditorium is named after Lew Wallace as he was born in my hometown ^-^ Thank you for sharing
I am also from Brookville haha. Small world.
@@sstroh08 we played in the drum line together.
l’m from Crawfordsville.
I farm over by Andersonville
He’s actually my cousin
One thing THG didn't mention was Wallace's successful defense of Cincinnati, which was facing a threat of invasion by a Confederate army during Braxton Bragg's invasion of Kentucky. Wallace managed to organize an odd mix of regular soldiers, militia, police officers, and civilian volunteers into a fighting force so effective that the Confederates decided against attacking the city. Wallace's defense force was aided by a regiment of black laborers who poured countless hours digging trenches and building fortifications around the city. Initially forced into service at gunpoint by city police, Wallace ordered the blacks released from their conscription and then hired them back as volunteers, paying them the full military wage of 13 dollars per month. This was in 1862, well before the Union army had started enlisting black soldiers, and more than two years before Congress agreed to pay the army's black troops the full standard military salary of 13 dollars a month.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Brigade_of_Cincinnati
You have added pithy comments and details. Well done👍
TheStapleGunKid...I'm a Black woman who loves history, I've never heard, or read about this, watched all of Ken Burns documentaries. Will research Lew Wallace. Thank you.
@@barbram8001 Indeed, with all the massive grand battles of the civil war, the defense of Cincinnati gets overlooked because it was such a huge success that no battle took place.
My great-great grandfather fought against Wallace at Monocacy. He was an officer in the 36th Va. It's history I remember!
I was born in Crawfordsville, Ind. in 1957, and my Mom was from a nearby small town. We used to return every several years for a family reunion. Unfortunately, the Lew Wallace museum was always closed during our visits. I have lived in Florida since I was three, but always enjoyed visiting my birth town.
I have visited the old POW camp at Andersonville. A very humbling experience. A must see for all Civil War buffs. And the little town of Andersonville, Ga. is quaint and enjoyable too.
Sure. .
Me : What hobbies are You in too ?
Wallace : Yes
Wallace's legacy is still strong in Indiana, though many here don't know who he was. Indy Eleven FC is named after his 11th IN Vols Reg he lead and there are many schools named after Lew in the state. Ben-Hur is usually the great eye-opener when you tell people who he was lol. Great video!
Ben hur...wanna take a road trip to Crawfordsville....lol...Hoosiers
As a Hoosier, can confirm. Wallace is still a celebrated figure in our history classrooms, but often times my fellow students forget about him as a footnote of the Civil War.
>> Wallace's legacy is still strong in Indiana
Thanks once again for a fascinating story. Truly an amazing life.
I've been to his museum.
The man lived an incredible life.
Thanks for the video!
You sparked my interest to read "Ben-hur." Thank you, once again, History Guy, for prompting me to be a more educated, more well-rounded person.
Be sure to check out the book he wrote called The Fair God. I read it a long time ago and still have it in my small collection of books it is about the conquest of mexico and it is written from the perspective of an aztec prince. It inspired me to learn more about mexico. I liked it a bunch more than ben hur. I also read the prince of egypt written by him. but the fair god was far and away my favorite.
@@johngillon6969 Thank your the recommendation. I'll have to check it out... After Ben-hur! 8-)
If you can't find or afford paper editions, all the Lew Wallace books mentioned here, including Ben Hur in English, Dutch, Italian and Finnish, can be found online, in electronic form, and free at Project Gutenberg.
@@johngillon6969 Gene Stratton-Porter also thought The Fair God was Lew's best novel. Lew spent 20 years researching and writing it.
Another excellent episode. Thank you for including Gen. Wallace's exploits, outside of his involvement in the US Civil War. That's really the only part of his career I've studied, especially the Battle of Shiloh. (IMO, Grant is the general who should take the blame for Shiloh.) I hope this gets thousands of views. Mr. Wallace truly deserves to be remembered. Thank you!
Two reasons I know of Lew Wallace is that
1: I was raised in Lincoln County New Mexico in the 70's and learned a lot about the Lincoln County War, I firmly believe that Wallace (figuartively) stabbed William Bonney in the back.
2: My great, great,(whatever) uncle was James Greathouse who knew and harbored Billy the Kid after he broke out of jail and even ended up in a shootout at his ranch. Now Jim was a character in his own right because when the Army prints a poster stating, "Wanted Dead or Alive, preferably dead." you KNOW you have a black sheep in the family!
@J D Because Bonney had eyewitness testimony about murder and other crimes committed in the Lincoln County Wars and struck a deal- face to face- with Wallace for a pardon if he gave testimony in trial. Bonney did exactly what he promised. Wallace backed out and dishonored himself in the process. Whatever else he achieved, Lew Wallace proved that his word was worthless.
Wallace probably went cold on the Kid after the murder of the jailhouse lawmen.
...'Dealbreaker'.
@@thereforeayam That's the argument, but it ignores one important thing. The timing. As soon as the Kid gave his testimony, and that trial was done, he should have been given his full pardon, on the spot. The only reason he escaped from jail again, and killed again is because his alternative was to hang. He never was given the chance to walk away free, the promise of a pardon ignored while he was left to rot in jail for weeks, following his testimony. Wallace claimed, for years, that he had never agreed to the amnesty, but admitted the truth more than 20 years later, in a newspaper interview. He put the Kid in a kill or be killed situation, and the dirty Murphy-Dolan mob kept Garrett in pursuit. In that situation, the law enforcement was as dirty as everyone else. You were on one side or the other. Sheriff Brady, who's death the Kid was to hang for, led the killing of the Kid's employer and mentor, John Tunstall. That was a cold blooded murder, and the start of the Lincoln County War.
I used to live in Indiana, about 10 minutes driving time from Crawfordsville, in an old farm house built in the mid 1800s. I have heard much of Lew Wallace and his exploits. Thank you so much for making this episode, i will share it will my friends and family so they better understand and appreciate the legacy of this incredibly interesting man!
I visited there a few months ago. The staff there are very knowledgeable and helpful.
Thank you. I knew of Gen. Wallace involvement in Shiloh and that he went on to write Ben-Hur, but was totally unaware of the rest of his remarkable life.
BTW - I'd love to see an episode devoted to how you find / choose your topics, and what some of your primary sources are when researching them.
I second that for sure! A history of the history guy deserves to be remembered!
I third it. Motion carried.
That said, I'm quite sure that would be his first half hour show... to do it justice.
Here here! That would be one of the very few "The Making Of" videos I would find interesting. How does he find all this amazing info and then present it so wonderfully? Please The History Guy, give this some thought!
I do know how he found this topic, his older brother suggested it. ;)
Thank you so much for your considerable knowledge of Gen. Lew Wallace. Although he is not unknown to me. In 1959 my parents took me to see Ben-Hur at the Chinese Grauman theater in LA. It was during the Premiere week and Judah’s white chariot was in the lobby. I was only 8 years old, but it is still one of my favorite movies of all time. About 10 years ago I found a rare leather bound copy of Wallace’s Ben-Hur in a used bookstore. I bought it immediately and thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Afterwards, I started researching the author. I was fascinated to find out that he had been a civil war general and I learned of the confusion over Grant’s orders. However, I thought they were unfair to Wallace. The orders were not specific and that is Grant’s fault. The-many interesting facts I didn’t find in my research were his involvement with Billy the Kid, his service in Mexico, and his involvement in the Lincoln conspiracy trial. But one thing you left out is that before it was made into the 1st movie, Wallace produced an extremely popular play of Ben-Hur including a scene with two chariots and real horses at a dead run straight toward the audience running on giant treadmills. Ingenious!
Before film, Ben-Hur was performed on stage constantly. For the chariot race scene, often used were live horses running on a giant conveyor belt so several different chariots could remain on stage at full gallop. It still amazes me that during a time before electrified light, contraptions so complex were available
Yes, the Broadway show ran for 21 years! In one performance, the treadmill broke and Messala won the race instead of Ben-Hur.
WallaceStudy ha!
I am so glad you did a piece on Lew Wallace. I remember as a lad seeing that a Union General and the author of Ben Hur shared a name, So I looked him up in my Funk and Wagnall Encyclopedia, (a primitive precursor to Google,) and found it was one and the same man and dug some more. Ever since I have considered Lew Wallace to be the epitome of the renaissance man. If I could invite five people, from the past or present, for a good dinner with brandy and cigars, Lew Wallace would definitely be one of them.
If you love history then you can't help but run across him. He really was quite the character.
I was born in NM and have retired here. Lincoln County and Otero. It’s go to see Wallace get his due. Thank you. My father was a great admirer of him and had a million bits of trivia stored in his teachers mind. When we went to the cabin in Ruidoso he would tart his dramatic recitation of the Lincoln County War. Love the memory.
It's videos of subjects like this that is the reason why THG is one of the best channels on UA-cam. I hated history in elementary school because it was always about memorizing stuff I'd soon forget instead of appreciating the vast sweep and scope of human endeavor. When school was behind me and I rediscovered history, I jumped in with both feet. History is Indiana Jones in real life. The History Guy demonstrates that with every video he makes. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
It's not the very BEST?
Please, tell me if you know something that rivals THG's presentations.
@@daveapplemotors - I was referring to all types of channels, not just history. I doubt if I have a favorite when considering all types; that would be like comparing apples and oranges. I can't say whether I like one cosmology channel better than an art channel better than a history channel better than a philosophy channel.
@@daveapplemotors ua-cam.com/channels/xr2d4As312LulcajAkKJYw.html is a history channel that concentrates on 18th century history of the American frontier. It has a very different vibe but is very popular and well-done.
I’m a lifelong New Mexican! I definitely have heard much about Governor Wallace. But always happy to hear more. Thanks for this video!
I was born and raised in Crawfordsville Indiana, home of the Major General Lee Wallace Study and Museum. I remember visiting the museum in field trips as a child. Thank you for showcasing all of his achievements. We still have a building downtown called the Ben Hur Building after his book. There are etchings one the building of chariot scenes from his book. Thanks again. Great tribute to Major General Lew Wallace.
I just lost my job. Your channel is helping me get by.
I was raised in Indiana and though I now live in California I am still a proud Hoosier. Thank you for highlighting the life of one of the many famous sons of Indiana.
Lifelong Hoosier, pretty sure I've never even been told about this man during my education. I'm from a very rural southern part of the state where the education was really bad when I was a kid, so any local history was VERY local. However, I've been through Crawfordsville literally 100s of times because I went to college in Lafayette and taking Route 231 from my county all the way up is much more relaxed than going up I-69 to Indy and hoping you don't lose a tire or worse on 65. Tangents aside, I have never heard of that museum before either, not on the local radios or a sign in town. I'm kinda disappointed I didn't know this back then and missed a chance to check it out back when I made that drive all the time. Better late than never though, and this is always my favorite place to hear it. Maybe it's because only those of us trapped here care, but midwestern history is definitive forgotten history. Thanks, keep it up!
What an amazing life he lived. I had no clue. I feel like he is one of those figures from history class we all "learn" about and forget rather easily. Thank you for making this video.
I had heard of Lew Wallace while studying the Civil War, but had no idea how accomplished a life he led. Amazing.
I am ashame to admit that I had never heard of Lew Wallace BUT I will be looking into his life and story. Thank you for posting.
I love this episode! Wallace is a 4th cousin, 3x remove of mine and I am so glad to see him get his "15 minutes of fame" here! Our common ancestor is Peter Wallace, Sr., who is my 6th great grandfather and his 3rd great grandfather.
I am astonished that I did not know about Lew Wallace. Another home run video from The History Guy!
As a native New Mexican I knew that Lew wrote Ben Hur but had no idea about his other accomplishments. This was a good episode.
Lew Wallace was used as a mascot and featured on shirts sold by a professional soccer team in Indiana that took it’s name from his regiment, the Indy Eleven. They currently play in Lucas Oil Stadium
He has a abandoned high school in gary indiana named after him.
@Ryan Kiesow they look like zombies from the walking dead walking down the streets. Gary is total shithole.
Lew Wallace may have been a poor student, but he was a great doer. Lawyer, writer, soldier, inventor, politician, statesman...what has changed in society that we no longer seem to have people like Lew Wallace around?
When I lived in Frederick, locals pronounced it ma-knock’-uh-see. The episode brings back fond memories of living within miles of four major battlefields. Glad we made the most of it while there. Thanks as always history guy!
The world needs more polymaths like Wallace, was he a humble man?? Why is it that we have never heard of him? Thank you for a fascinating edition.
I first read the of the controversy between Wallace and Grant in one of Bruce Catton's books on the Civil War; "Grant Moves South" was the title, if memory serves. I was twelve then and I'll be 70 on Sunday but that book of Civil War history has stayed in my mind all of these years. That is a sign of history well written, just as these videos presented by the History Guy which are well produced, and equally memorable.
Wow! Some people just make you feel wholly inadequate. Thank you, History Guy, for the brief re-introduction to a forgotten treasure.
I remember seeing the movie, Ben Hur as a child in 1959. It sparked an interest in history in me and that has never ended. I have read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation several times. There really was a "House of Hur" that was first mentioned in Exodus.
Yes, as you know, Hur and Aaron were leaders of Israel, with only Moses being higher in rank.
I was born in 1961. I never saw _Ben Hur_ until the 1980s, but I remember seeing trinkets commemorating the film as a child. I distinctly remember a cookie tin that had depictions of the chariot race all over it. I think I must have spent a long time staring at the tin.
@@FRN2013 I found pictures of that tin online - Huntley & Palmers biscuit tin - as well as Ben Hur brand coffee, spices and other products.
5:50 Jubal Early is an ancestor of actor Nathan Fillion. When Joss Whedon learned of this, he named the bounty hunter in the Firefly episode "Objects in Space" after the Confederate general. In the show, the character is played by actor Richard Brooks.
This is why we love you. This episode right here, and many, many more just like it. *_Bless You._*
Wow! What an extraordinary person he was. Thank you History Guy for this lesson.
An amazing man whose history absolutely positively deserves to be remembered. Thanks again History Guy.
I am constantly surprised and pleased when you make videos and explore people, things and events that have been relegated to the great dust bin of history. Than you for your work.
An amazing episode! Each year, right before Easter, I incorporate William Wylie’s Ben-Hur into a unit study for my Latin Class. I think I may use this video as part of my set up. I knew Wallace wrote the book but this taught me so much more. Thank you!
Very pleased to report that I got a very fast response from Great Courses Plus, advising that when one clicks on Start Free Trial, the pricing information becomes available. Still think that it ought to be easier to find, but have to give praise where praise is due, and their response time was very, very good.
Amazing life and story. I am surprised no one has made a film about Wallace.
He was born in my hometown. The only thing we have commemorating this is the high school auditorium is named after him. He was a truly remarkable man.
As a local, I’m just glad you chose to cover “The Battle that saved Washington” so I’ll forgive the pronunciation of Monocacy.
Nothing like a review of Lew Wallace's life to make you feel like you haven't accomplished anything...no matter what you have achieved. I loved it!
I knew a lot about Major General Wallace, but this filled in a few gaps in my knowledge. Thank you
Can I just say that I love this channel? I just finished reading Ron Chernow's biography of Grant and his treatment of Wallace was, shall we say, less than even (it's a biography of Grant, I know, but still...). Thank you for this latest chapter in history worth knowing.
If you want a really good military biography of Wallace, we recommend Gail Stephens' SHADOW OF SHILOH. She put boots on the ground and walked the route Wallace took at the Battle of Shiloh.
Chernow's biography of Grant and his treatment of Wallace was, shall we say, less than even .
Yep. It is crazy how many well-respected writers get the details wrong:
www.citizenssyllabus.org/logic-epistemology/expert-error-lew-wallace-at-shiloh?rq=Wallace
Seeing Ben-Hur on the big screen was quite impressive when it became an early "blockbuster" at the box office when I first seen the 1957 movie version. It made me want to read the book version as well as learn more about its multi-talented author . I was impressed by your work on General Lew Wallace showing that he was a violin maker among other things , also by his being a kind of legal friend to the more (modern times) famous " Billy the Kid" !
I only heard of GEN. WALLACE as the GOV. of NEW MEXICO and his dealings with "BILLY the kid" thank you for the more exciting story of HIS life.. RATED as EXTRA GREAT VIDEO
Did you hear that he along with genl. Hunter both raised the alarm about a conspiracy threatening the President? Then recanted. Both were on the jury for the Mary Surrat trial.
@@Itsatz0 no i didnt hear about that i,ll have to look into that along with some other things so i can get my facts right before i say something
@@yoopermann7942 The best source, I know of, is a book "Who murdered Lincoln," by Otto Eisenshimmel, (Who's father or grandfather fought at Shilo.) He uses a lot of Government documents, from the two assassination trials, to draw his conclusions. Ever hear of Lt. Genl. Lafayette Baker? Avery American should find out about him.
Excellent material. Fascinating
I always enjoy it when he covers a topic I know something about, because regardless of how much I know about it I'm still going to learn something.
I couldn't wait to get home and watch this... I am not disappointed!
I live just a few minutes from his home in Crawfordsville. Another notable mention of Crawfordsville is the Rotary Jail Museum, one of the first, and the last operating rotary jails. Thank you for making history interesting!
Thank you History Guy, I just added Ben-Hur to my book list on Amazon, and next time I order something in about a month or so, I will purchase it. I did hear about this battle, but I had no idea it went this way, good information, detailed and complete. Thank you!
Pretty damn amazing how such historically important people are forgotten with time. It’s fantastic that as long as we continue to have electricity and the internet that these stories can be watched. The comments are often as great as the video as so many relevant and interesting comments are left.
You literally pulled a WHAAAAAAAT! Out of me on the revelation of the book. Wow, these stories!
I knew about Ben-Hur, but I had absolutely no idea of Lew Wallace's other exploits. It appears that he was somewhat akin to a polymath. Excellent.
You should read his other books. My favorite was The Fair God. It is about the conquest of mexico by hernan cortez, but it is also seen from the perspective of a an Aztex warrior. it inspired me to do research into the history of mexico, and was a fascinating read it was in my humble opinion better than ben hurr and also as far as i know very historically correct.
My favorite quote from Lew Wallace is "Every calculation based on experience elsewhere fails in New Mexico." Having lived in New Mexico almost all of my life, this quote hits the mark.
Thank you for making this one! As a native of Indiana, I collect historical 'bits' about the state, especially to share with younger parents and their students. I've been hoping for some new Hoosier history topics from the History Guy.
I went to Lew Wallace Elementary School in Indianapolis, IN until 5th grade when I moved to CA!
Fascinating. As many others have said, before this I only knew of Lew Wallace as the author Ben-Hur. So today is a success because I learned something!
Thank you for this awesome look in to history i have seen Ben Hur and never connected it to this awesome man he is history that needs to be remembered for all the things he has done Thank you again for enriching our lives with this knowlage
I love your enthusiasm, HG. Best popular history channel in UA-cam by a country mile!
Jaw dropping! Thanks for this extraordinary synopsis.
Lived in New Mexico for over 30 years so I certainly know who he is and have read the story of his life. Thank you for sharing this.
Sir , you amaze me, i can watch your history videos all day. I was always a history buff but you have Enlightened me to so much more then you could know, thank you.
What a story...I have never heard of this gentleman...thanks History Guy!
As a native Hoosier and New Mexico enthusiast (don't ask), I knew a fair amount about Lew Wallace, but I had no Idea he had accomplished so much.
I had no idea of Wallace's accomplishments before I watched this video. Neither did I know how popular he became by publishing Ben Hur. The History Guy is a gift to us who are curious about the world!
Glad you did this. The rate that history is being destroyed and statues torn down, it's good to have a record.
Worth a film of his life. Thank you for the content.
Thanks for this one. I knew the name of the novel. When I went to Philmont Boy Scout Ranch in 1996 we were told that Wallace worked on/finished Ben Hur at Bent Cabin on the ranch's property.
Terrific summary of a fascinating person. Thank you!
Another well made and very interesting story Mr. THG... thanks a million for helping us know more about history (that deserves to be remembered). Saludos from Chile!
What a great tale of a very interesting man. Thanks for sharing.
Wow, an amazing bit of unappreciated history. THG has done it again! Thanks.
My father told me when I was a young man, to make sure I enjoy my life and live my life and not anyone else's.
Most likely 50 years after you pass nobody will remember you so make sure, make sure that you live your life.
50 years ago I attended a prominent military academy, we studied General Wallace briefly.
Mostly his defensive actions in the battle concerning Washington and a little of the communication aspect of the Civil War concerning Shiloh.
What a great man Lew Wallace was I did not realize how great of a man he was thank you History Guy
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Wow! What a life. Makes me feel I should be doing more. Thanks HG. I never want to stop learning. As long as you keep going, I won't.
Wow. Someone like this gives me pause to wonder if he was genuinely gifted, guided by angels, or merely lucky (over and over again.)
I’ve often thought Grant gave short shrift to Wallace at Shilo. Grant himself was caught off guard, unsure of the situation not being at the site of the attack initially, and gave confusing orders during the initial part of the battle. Having only one force go astray that day is actually pretty amazing. Also, I’ve no doubt all of this would have been a mute point had A.S. Johnston not been killed that afternoon, leaving the command of the Confederates to Beauregard.
>> all of this would have been a mute point had A.S. Johnston not been killed
Now thats a guy who really lived his life. Facinating bloke.
Another outstanding video, THG with excellent presentation!
I knew alot of this information but not all of it. And yes, Lew Wallace was one of THE most interesting and impactful people in US history. If current events in Illinois catch fire, you had better get as much US history like this posted before it's banned! Once again, great job giving us history that certainly deserves to be remembered.
Another well done episode. Mr Wallace was one of my late father's favorites, and he didn't have many. [Another favorite was Iben Browning. My father met him and I have read his books.] The mess at Shiloh was typical of military politics and a real shame. An Iowa ancestor of mine was wounded at Shiloh and died in Vicksburg. later of disease. Because of my father, I was well acquainted with some of the stories and military history of Lew Wallace. You hit some things I didn't know about later in his life. Thank you for telling the story of this awesome man.
Outstanding video. Loved that intro. Classic. Wasn't sure what you were going to talk about and it all came together. Keep up the good work. Look forward to "history that deserves to be remembered."
You should do a video on Joseph Wheeler. He has a statue in the National Statuary Hall Collection for Alabama, but Congress has voted to remove it because Joseph Wheeler served as a Confederate cavalry general in the Army of Tennessee. I believe Joseph Wheeler's statue should stay, not because of his service during the Civil War, but his service after it. Wheeler was called upon by the US Army to command the cavalry during the Spanish-American War and Wheeler answered that call. There's a picture of him with Teddy Roosevelt. For the time, a former Confederate general returning to service in the US Army was seen as part of the healing of the nation's wounds from the Civil War. This is history that deserves to be remembered before it is erased, forgotten, and misrepresented.
Another wonderful presentation. Thanks again, History Guy
I don't usually find something I don't know of or have heard. but this was something I WILL have to read more about. Thank you.
Very well done. I love to hear about unsung heroes have done more for history then we will ever know.... Thanks THG
You and mark felton consistently produce the best history videos on UA-cam!
I've known bits and pieces of Lew Wallace's story for years, but there were a lot of details not known to me. Thanks!
Another interesting Lew Wallace fact is that he built an apartment building in Indianapolis. The Blacherne named after the Byzantine palace Blachernae was a seven story building built in 1895 and expanded in 1896. It was quite luxurious for the time and during its early years was home to many of the big name families in the area. Wallace wintered there until his death. The building is still there today and it looks quite nice.