From small town Northern farmboy to Civil War Marine, this book tells the story of Private George H. Bandfield through his own words, transcribed through four of his diaries. Bandfield served on board the USS Vanderbilt as they chased the CSS Alabama across the Atlantic Ocean, and later served on board the USS Brooklyn during the Battle of Mobile Bay and the battles at Fort Fisher. Experience firsthand the journey of this Civil War Marine in this all-new volume documenting the life of Bandfield, edited by his descendants, Troy A. Hillman and Joan (Hillman) Hill. Also included in this volume is a biography of his life, family photos, several letters, perspectives on his life as seen through pension files, and finally, the brief "diary" of Pvt. Edwin C. McKee, fellow Marine, who recorded a month and a half of his voyage on the Vanderbilt, and whose voice is also preserved in these pages.