History of the Twelfth West Virginia Volunteer Infantry : the part it took in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865

Through the eyes of the men who formed the Twelfth West Virginia Volunteer Infantry, this account brings the early years of the Civil War to life. Compiled from reunion speeches, personal letters, and recollections gathered decades after the fighting, the narrator weaves together official movements with the soldiers’ own memories. The introduction explains the challenges of reconstructing a story when records are scarce and memories fade, giving the listener a sense of the painstaking effort behind the narrative.

The work moves beyond strategy, offering vivid anecdotes that reveal the human side of war—a joke played on a sergeant, the dramatic capture and release of a lieutenant’s wife, and the everyday trials of marching through valleys and mountain passes. By focusing on the regiment’s own experiences, the listener gains an intimate portrait of camaraderie, sacrifice, and the gritty reality of 1860s battlefields. It’s a grounded, personal history that invites you to hear the voices of those who once marched together under a common banner.