I was thrilled to hear recently that Civil War Talks: Further Reminiscences of George S. Bernard and His Fellow Veterans will be published soon in paperback from University Press of Virginia. This was my first book project – and I was lucky to work with my co-editors John Selby and John Horn. It is a source rich in little-known battle and campaign accounts and has been cited often since its initial publication in 2012.
The volume is a detailed, extensive collection of firsthand accounts covering the major military campaigns in Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. Most of these reminiscences have remained obscure and, until now, have been largely unknown. They appear in the form of speeches and letters gathered by Petersburg veteran George S. Bernard covering many battles and campaigns, including Seven Pines, Malvern Hill as well as the Maryland, Gettysburg, Overland, Petersburg, and Appomattox Campaigns. Bernard, a political ally of and personal lawyer for William Mahone, solicited several battle accounts from the former Confederate general, including descriptions of Seven Pines, Malvern Hill, Weldon Railroad, Burgess Mill, and the Appomattox Campaign.
"The release of a second volume of heretofore unpublished primary sources by Bernard serves both a scholarly and a nonprofessional audience. This superbly edited collection will become an essential volume on Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia." - Peter S. Carmichael, Gettysburg College, author of The Last Generation: Young Virginians in Peace, War, and Reunion
Preface
Introduction
“Reminiscences of Norfolk, May-June 1861,” by George S. Bernard
George S. Bernard War Narrative: June 14, 1861-May 8, 1862
“War Recollections: From Drewry’s Bluff to Seven Pines,” by George S. Bernard
Statement of Alexander W. Archer
Statement of John E. Crow
Statement of George J. Rogers
Statement of E. Leslie Spence
Statement of William Mahone
Statement of Thomas P. Pollard
Statement of William E. Cameron
Addenda: Statement of J. Willcox Brown
Statement of Cullen A. Battle
“From Seven Pines to Malvern Hill--Battles of French’s Farm, June 25, 1862, and Frazier’s Farm, June 30, 1862,” by George S. Bernard
Statement of E. Leslie Spence
“Malvern Hill: Graphic Pen Pictures of this Historic Battle,” by George S. Bernard
Addenda: William Mahone’s Account of Malvern Hill
Statement by Philip F. Brown
“Reminiscences of the Maryland Campaign of 1862,” by John T. Parham
“The Gettysburg Campaign: The Narrative of a Private Soldier in the Confederate Army, Taken from His Diary and Note Book,” by George S. Bernard
From Fredericksburg to the Valley of Virginia
Down the Valley and across the Potomac into Maryland
In Pennsylvania
The Battle of Gettysburg
The Retreat
“The Gettysburg Campaign,” by William E. Cameron
George S. Bernard War Narrative: July 1863 -February 1864
“Life in the Army--The Private Soldier’s Spirit,” by James A. Walker
“A Trooper’s Reminiscences: Wilderness to Yellow Tavern,” by B. B. Vaughan
“Confederate Cavalry at Spotsylvania,” by George J. Hundley
George S. Bernard War Diary: March 24, 1864 -June 13, 1864
“Battle of the 9th of June,” by Prof. Wm. N. Carr
“The Defense of Petersburg,” by W. H. Hood
George S. Bernard War Diary: June 14, 1864 -August 16, 1864
“Tablet to the Heroes of the Crater,” Memorial Address (1911) by George S. Bernard
“The Weldon Railroad Fight: Gen. Mahone’s Brilliant Move,” by George S. Bernard
Statement of William Mahone
Official Report of Gen. Gouverneur K. Warren
Statement of David Weisiger
Statement of Hugh R. Smith
Statement of William C. Smith
Statement of William H. Stewart
Statement of V. D. Groner
Statement of W. A. S. Taylor
Statement of Griffin F. Edwards
Statement of Thomas P. Pollard
Statement of Sylvester J. Roberts
Statement of Dr. W. V. White
Addendum: Statement of Major Ro. R. Henry
George S. Bernard War Diary: August 27, 1864 -October 10, 1864
“Fort Harrison: The Most Destructive Single Shot, September 29, 1864,” by Cornelius Tacitus Allen
“War Recollections: A Celebrated Engagement,” by George S. Bernard
Statement of John R. Turner
Statement of William Mahone
Statement of Thos. Emmet Richardson
Statement of Thomas P. Pollard
George S. Bernard War Diary: November 9, 1864 -March 21, 1864
Addendum: Statement of Jas. P. Jackson
“The Confederate Scout, The Bold Expedition Recalled,” by William E. Cameron
“Artillery Experiences at Petersburg and Elsewhere,” by Joseph W. Eggleston
“Near the Enemy’s Lines: Life in Dinwiddie Co. in the Vicinity of the Opposing Armies during the Last Years of the War,” by Capt. Jno. C. Griffin
Addendum: Statement of G. Adolphus Boisseau
“A Deadly Assault: The Attack upon Fort Stedman on Friday, March 25, 1865, described by an Eye-Witness,” by J. Campbell Kemp
“Battle of Fort Stedman: A Federal Soldiers Account,” by Milton A. Embick
“Cockade City’s Surrender, Delivered to the Federals,” by J. P. Williamson
Addendum: Statement of William E. Morrison
“A War Reminiscence,” by C. W. Maynard
“Interesting Facts Connected with the Occupation of the City by the Federals following the Evacuation in April, 1865,” by G. W. Camp
Bernard’s Biographical Sketch of William Mahone
“What I Saw and Heard during the Closing Days of the Army of Northern Virginia,” by General Wm. Mahone
“Some Recollections of Service by One Who Claims to Have Been the Youngest Confederate Who Surrendered at Appomattox,” by Walter M. Jones
Excerpts from George S. Bernard’s Diary, 1865-1866
