Lew Wallace: Author, Politician, General

Lew Wallace was one of the most famous people in America. A general who saved the union by losing a battle, he met with Billy the Kid and authored one of the most influential novels of all time. The History Guy tells the forgotten story of possibly the most interesting person you've likely never heard of.

This is original content based on research by The History Guy. Images in the Public Domain are carefully selected and provide illustration. As very few images of the actual event are available in the Public Domain, images of similar objects and events are used for illustration.

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All events are portrayed in historical context and for educational purposes. No images or content are primarily intended to shock and disgust. Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Non censuram.

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Script by THG

#ushistory #thehistoryguy #uscivilwar

[dougearnest]

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.

[NCReb]

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

[HMSGT]

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!😸

[KorbinX]

My high school's auditorium is named after Lew Wallace as he was born in my hometown ^-^ Thank you for sharing

[SamZinski]

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!

[TheManFromWaco]

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.

[ramona]

My great-great grandfather fought against Wallace at Monocacy. He was an officer in the 36th Va. It's history I remember!

[lancerevell]

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.

[chuckwingo]

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.

[TheStapleGunKid]

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.

[slartybartfarst]

Thanks once again for a fascinating story. Truly an amazing life.

[kenlration]

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!

[TheWeatherbuff]

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!

[KCODacey]

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.

[RhettyforHistory]

If you love history then you can't help but run across him. He really was quite the character.

[yoopermann]

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

[DerMannII]

I've been to his museum.

The man lived an incredible life.

Thanks for the video!

[miklorr]

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

[thetrumpnewsnetwork]

An amazing man whose history absolutely positively deserves to be remembered. Thanks again History Guy.

[redram]

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