The author, Ron Bardnell, himself an infantryman and Viet Nam combat veteran, was deeply touched by the letters, identifying with the horrors of war only a fellow combat veteran can really understand. He has done a wonderful job collecting and arranging the letters, writing a brief introduction to each chapter with engaging historical narrative to set the scene in ways that allow the reader to get to know Belles throughout his Civil War service.

The reader gets to know George and his devoted sister, his slacker brother, and his namesake nephew whom he adored. You learn that George loved to fish, was religious, and liked to smoke cigars. He valued education and continually pestered his sister to see after little George’s upbringing. He never shied away from saying what he felt or needed in his pleas for more letters, packages, gloves, postage stamps, and prayers. You realize with him that the enemy are just men equally committed to their cause and share his astonishment at how men standing picket duty can trade stories and rations across the river one minute and fight to take each other’s lives the next minute. You see his optimism and fierce commitment to his cause as well as bravery and determination in the face of utter discouragement and loss. You see him come to terms with his own mortality through his attempts to preemptively console his family, as well as his requests for prayer as his Regiment that started 100 men strong is cut down to only six men over two-and-half years of service.

I believe, though, this is bigger than a Civil War book....... There is a genuine desire to honor and support our soldiers and this book does that. There is multi-generational appeal through Bardnell’s experience in Viet Nam, as well as a timeless appeal through the Civil War subject. And, it is a good story with a hero the reader comes to love.  

                                            Paul Mikos,  Associate Publisher, Cumberland House Publishing

A riveting read! And a Civil War treasure. These are the authentic frontline letters of foot soldier George W. Belles as he fought his way from Fredericksburg to Harpers Ferry and on through the Shenandoah Valley to the war's end. His descriptive prose and thoughtful insights range from day to day hardships of a soldier's life to a growing awareness of his own mortality. After two years, only six of the one hundred gallant souls who signed on with George remained in his company. The impact of battle and the chilling aftermath of so many slain comrades left a lasting impression on George and forever changed his life.

This is a hard book to put down and a grand addition to anyone's home library.

                                               Elizabeth Derrick-White, Commonwealth Journalist Association

  “Preserve it Reader in Remembrance of Me”…An amazing story of the everyday life of a soldier.  As readers and lovers of Civil War history, we tend to focus on the battles and tactics used to “Win the Day” on the battlefield.  The story of George W. Belles was not only able to win my heart but also my gratitude.  His Devotion to country and the preservation of the Union is extremely admirable. 

His letters depict the everyday struggles and experiences of a soldier at wartime.  Whether it is trying to stay warm, getting enough to eat, marching or the countless hours standing watch….George W. Belles’ letters take you on a journey through some of the most historical battles ever fought on U.S. soil.  His patriotism can best be described using his own words….

“The army is the pillar of our republic.  Take the army out of the field and our country is a vast pile of ruins.  This country is worth fighting for.  Thousands of our comrades have fallen in its defense and their blood cries from the ground and says…go on my companions, go on and save the republic.  It may cost our lives but our children and our children’s children will rise up and call us blessed.  We can live without a friend but we can’t live without a country.”

No better words can be used to describe the emotion that not only George W. Belles, but I’m sure also Ron Bardnell displayed to preserve this great nation of ours.  Thank you both for your service and dedication.

                                        Brian Wilson, Orange Park, FL

"Finished the book last night. It was great. I truly felt I was there with George...Hurry-up with your new book."                              David Alan,  El Paso, Texas

"I am sending your book up to New York for my sister to read next. She is a big Civil War fan and will love reading it, I’m sure. I told her I  enjoyed every bit of it and came away wanting more – more - more."                         Mike M., Jacksonville, FL 

"From my perspective as a lover of history, the book is fascinating and inspirational. It enables the reader to see history through the eyes of an active participant....Please know that this book will remain on the shelf in the Hoover High School Library / Media Center for years to come, but its message will endure even longer."              Charles Collier, Teacher / Social Studies Dept. Chair,  Hoover High School, North Canton, OH

"Don loves it. He can't put it down. He hasn't read anything so intimate before.... It made him think of all the stories that won't be told; those that won't be passed down or shared."                                   Lyn Saunders, Jacksonville, FL

It seems that Ron Bardnell and George Belles are kindred spirits. George Belles was a member of Co. E, 139th Pennsylvania, and served with the Sixth Corps from September 1862 to the end of the war. He wrote numerous letters to his sister back home in Apollo, Pa., as well as his brother and other friends. Ron Bardnell also served in the army, in a war almost 100 years later during a tour in South Vietnam.

Though Belles’ letters are not full of detailed battle descriptions they do tell of camp life, picket duty and reflect Belles’ changing attitude toward the war and his chances of surviving. Indeed, as part of the 139th Belles saw action from Fredericksburg, Salem Church, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Fort Stevens, Fisher’s Hill, Cedar Creek, Petersburg and Lee’s retreat to Appomattox.

The regiment was involved in some heavy action. At one point his company was down to only six men. Yet God must have been looking out for Belles as he came through the war unscathed. He was a deeply religious man, which is often reflected in the letters...

 Bardnell’s narrations are well written and nothing jumped out at me as being terribly incorrect.

There are two illustrations of Belles, one bust shot and one of him, his wife and daughter. The volume ends with three shots of Bardnell showing him in the Vietnam bush and today.

I liked this book even though the letters were pretty tame. I recommend it for an easy read as well as those little tidbits of information a researcher might pull out of it. My hat’s off to a fellow Nam vet.
Reviewer:
Blake A. Magner, Book Review Editor of Civil War News. 

 

To CONTACT THE AUTHOR and/or PURCHASE A SIGNED, INSCRIBED BOOK, email Ron: bardnell_r@bellsouth.net

For ADDITIONAL INFORMATION about this book, to VIEW EXCERPTS and / or TO PURCHASE FROM THE PUBLISHER, click this link: Merriam Press