The compiled service record cards for 19 year old George J. Abernathy show that he enrolled for service June 11, 1861 at Petersburg, mustering into service June 21, 1861 at Norfolk, Virginia as a Private in Captain A. M. Goodwyn's Company (Hargrove Blues) Virginia Volunteers

This company subsequently became (1st) Company I, 12th Regiment, Virginia Volunteers.

The 12th Regiment Virginia Infantry was originally organized as the 4th Battalion Virginia Infantry about April 19, 1861. It was later increased to a regiment and accepted into service of the Confederate States July 1, 1861. Company G first served as Company A, 1st Regiment Virginia Infantry: Company H was formerly Captain Ferguson's Company, 6th Regiment Virginia Infantry. (1st) Company I (originally an independent company) was dropped from the regiment by S. O. No. 129 A. & K G. O., dated June 5, 1862 and subsequently became (2nd) Company H, 9th Regiment Virginia Infantry. (2nd) company I (which was also an independent company) was assigned to the regiment by the same order. Captain Branch's Company was attached to the regiment until about July 1, 1861, when it became Company K, 16th Regiment Virginia Infantry.