Last updated: November 19, 2021
Person
Bernard Bluecher Graves
Library of Congress
Quick Facts
Place of Birth:
Hanover County, Virginia
Date of Birth:
1838
Date of Death:
1881
Unit: Amherst Light Artillery
Rank: Corporal
Enlisted: October 4, 1862
Muster Out: June 20, 1865
Photo Credit/Donated by: Library of Congress
Description:
Bernard Bluecher Graves was born around 1838 in Hanover County, Virginia. He joined Nelson’s Battery in the beginning of the war and then transferred into the Amherst Light Artillery on October 4, 1862. This unit was in many of the Eastern Theater campaigns in 1862 such as the Seven Day’s Battles and Cold Harbor.
During the summer of 1864 the Amherst Light Artillery was attached to Early’s Army of the Valley, and was assigned to Nelson’s Battalion. After surviving Cedar Creek unscathed, the following spring, Graves was captured at the Battle of Waynesboro on March 2, 1865. He was one of the last prisoners to be imprisoned at Fort Delaware. After his release on June 20, 1865, Bernard returned to Richmond to continue his career as a printer. Bernard passed away in 1881 at the age of 43.
Sources:
· Library of Congress. "Bernard Bluecher Graves, Corp., C.S.A., three-quarter length portrait, seated, facing front." Library of Congress Prints and Photograph Collection. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2005695735/
· Sherwood, Richard L. Amherst Artillery, Albemarle Artillery and Sturdivant's Battery. N.p.: H.E. Howard, 1996
· National Park Service Civil War Soldiers and Sailors Database. http://www.nps.gov/civilwar/soldiers-and-sailors-database.htm