George S. Bernard was a Petersburg lawyer and member of the 12th Virginia Infantry Regiment during the Civil War. Over the course of his life; Bernard wrote extensively about his wartime experiences and collected accounts from other veterans. In 1892; he published War Talks of Confederate Veterans; a collection of firsthand accounts focusing on the battles and campaigns of the 12th Virginia that is widely read to this day. Bernard prepared a second volume but was never able to publish it. After his death in 1912; his papers became scattered or simply lost. But a series of finds; culminating with the discovery of a cache of papers in Roanoke in 2004; have made it possible to reconstruct a complete manuscript of the unpublished second volume. The resulting book; Civil War Talks; contains speeches; letters; Bernard’s wartime diary; and other firsthand accounts of the war not only by veterans of the Confederacy; such as General William Mahone; but by Union veterans as well. Their personal stories cover the major military campaigns in Virginia; Maryland; and Pennsylvania--Seven Pines; Malvern Hill; Gettysburg; Wilderness; Spotsylvania; Petersburg; and Appomattox. For the general reader; this volume offers evocative testimonies focusing on the experiences of individual soldiers. For scholars; it provides convenient access to many accounts that; until now; have not been widely available or have been simply unknown.
#922276 in Books University of Virginia Press 1991-12-01Ingredients: Example IngredientsOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.02 x 1.01 x 5.98l; 1.50 #File Name: 0813913705405 pages
Review
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Wonderful Story and Education tooBy Lionel Kitpu'se PinnReally enjoyed Weevills in the Wheat; great work by the author at collecting such important information. Great Education for anyone who wants to know what life and times of the Slave world was like... In a first hand account format.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Great historyBy Carol SMy ancestors are from Virginia; and were slaves there. It's really helpful to me to read real accounts from Virginia ex-slaves. I have read similar books; but this one has far more information.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Good book!By Polk WoolfordThis book is an excellent read and so very informative. Ought be required reading in High School American History classes.
