The Soldier's Words/ Kenn Woods

 

Kenn Woods presented a copy of his new book, The Soldier's Words: First-hand accounts of what the Confederate soldiers actually wore & interesting anecdotes of the Civil War years, to Pam Williams, Associate Director for Library User Services. Woods utilized research materials from several libraries including the Ort Library to compile the book of personal reflections from soldiers about daily life. Woods acknowledged the help of staff and archivists at Frostburg State University with an inscription of thanks. 

A Civil War reenactor since 1988, he studied historical records and primary sources to learn exact details about the uniforms of Confederate soldiers during the Civil War. In the Introduction he states, "I wanted to present the soldiers/civilians observations through diaries, letters and memoirs." (p. 7)

During his years of research, he has unearthed facts previously overlooked in many historical accounts. For example, he discovered exactly what the crewmen of the CSS Virginia wore at the historical battle at Hampton Roads on March 8, 1862, and the answer is in his book.