Tales of American History

Tales of American History


Tales of American History Episode 120: Bell I. Wiley, at Perryville Battlefield, 1961: "Johnny Reb" & "Billy Yank"

April 11, 2025

Listen to distinguished Civil War historian Bell Irvin Wiley on the 99th Anniversary of the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky give a speech about the battle, on the battlefield, where, he relates, he flew by helicopter, accompanied by Kentucky Governor Bert Combs and military personnel!


This talk, from 1961, captures the lives of "Billy Yank" and "Johnny Reb," during the American Civil War. Among Wiley's many published books, his most noted, iconic works were his volumes on the daily lives and activities of the common soldier in the Civil War.


What you will hear is one of the most captivating Civil War stories ever, a tale told well by Bell I. Wiley, a 1928 graduate of Asbury College, where he obtained his Bachelors and Masters degrees, proceeding to Yale University to obtain his doctorate in American History.


Listen and enjoy!