Publisher's Synopsis
Merriam Press Military Monograph 48. Second Edition (February 2012). A Collaboration of Brothers in Arms Soldiers: Cpl. George W. Belles - Civil War, 1862-65 and Sgt. Ron Bardnell - Viet Nam, 1967-68. "Remember me in your prayers and I will remember you. I will not try to describe the senses of war for they are past (beyond) description." --George W. Belles, to his sister. The foundation of this enthralling, insightful saga is a three year collection of letters, diaries and memoirs written by American Civil War soldier George W. Belles. The foresighted soldier, cognizant the course of U.S. history was being radically altered before his eyes and realizing the historical significance of the events he partook in, recorded all phases of his Civil War experience with great passion and colorful detail. Upon reading Corporal Belles' writings, the author, Ron Bardnell, an infantryman in Vietnam, intuitively formed a "brothers-in-arms" bond with his brethren of years long passed. Honoring the Civil War soldier's fervent plea his writings be preserved, a fateful, unique collaboration occurred, and Preserve It Reader in Remembrance of Me came to be. Arranged in chronological order and grouped into chapters by a prevailing theme, Corporal Belles' writings take the reader along with this exceptional man on his extraordinary thirty-three month American Civil War soldier's journey, from Antietam to Appomattox. With minimal editing, arranged in chronological order and grouped into chapters by a prevailing theme, George's writings take the reader along with this exceptional man on his extraordinary thirty-three month American Civil War journey. The last sentence in Belles' 1864 diary entry became the title of this book: Preserve it Reader in Remembrance of Me. Contents: Acknowledgments; Roster, Co. E, 139th Pennsylvania Volunteers; Prologue; Part I: 1862; Transition; Fredericksburg - The Union's Rush to Defeat; Part II: 1863; Time-out at the River - Human Nature Prevails; Early Spring 1863 - The Lull Before the Storm; Into the Frying Pan at Marye's Heights and Salem Church; Gettysburg - Victory Was the Only Option; Sparring Sessions in Northern Virginia; What Keeps a Soldier Going; Part III: 1864; Coats Without Owners; Change of Pace at Harpers Ferry; You Had a Brother Who Was a Soldier; Petersburg and the Unappreciative Washingtonians; Autumn in the Shenandoah Valley; Part IV: 1865; Tall "Squeezens"; The Journey Home; Glossary; Bibliography; The Author; 11 photos/illustrations; 4 maps. About the Author: Mustered out of the U.S. Army in 1968, Ron Bardnell received his secondary education at the University of Akron and enjoyed a lengthy, successful career as a Sr. Computer Programmer/Analyst. An avid short stories writer, after retirement Ron devoted himself to writing full-time. Upon reading a three year collection of American Civil War soldier letters, intrigued by the aspects of war shared by the letters' author and himself in Vietnam, and honoring the past era fellow combat soldier's request, Preserve It Reader in Remembrance of Me was written. Ron lives in Florida with his wife Kathi.
