The Portland daily press., 1862-12-30

THE MICHIGAN DRUMMER BoY.-Almost
everybody has heard of the Michigan drum
mer boy who crossed the Rappahannock at
Fredericksburg along with the 'forlorn hope
of the 7th regiment from that State. The
Detroit Press gives the following account of
the boy, and of his heroisn, but in some of the
details regarding the latter, the narrative sa-
vors little to much of the romantic:
"His name is Robert Henry Hendershot
His father is dead. His mother, a Door wo-
man, at present resides in jackson. He was
thirteen years of age on the first of June last.
He first enlisted at Fort Wayne, as a drum
mer boy in the Ninth infantry, when it rem
dezvoused at that place. He remained with
the regiment and was captured when most of
the regiment was taken, after sharp engage
ment. at Murfreesboro'. lie was paroled and
sent TO Camp Chase, Columbus, where he was
discharged from the service on account of epi-
leptic fits. He returned to this city. and it
will be remembered that he created much en-
thusiasm by his appearance on the platform
at public meeting held in the market to en-
courage enlstnents. He at that time enlisted
with Colonel Fenton, as drummer boy in the
Eighth infantry. He remained with the reyi-
ment until after the terrible battle of Freder-
icksburg, at which he won the reputation of
hero. There he was the drummer boy of
the Eighth, instead of the Seventh.
He gives simple and modest account of
his conduct at fredericksburg. When the
work on the pontoons had to cease In conse-
quence Of the destructive fire of the rebel
sharpshooters concealed in the houses on the
other side, volunteers were called for to 90
over and clear them out. One hundred men
OF the Seventh at once volunteered to 90. The
drummer boy OF the Seventh said he would 90
with them. He at once ran down to the river
bank, though the shot and shell were falling
like hail, unhtched boat and jumped in
Afterward two Lieutenants got into the boat
and told the boy he must not go, that it would
be but risking his life for no purpose. He
said: II wish TO 60 and if die it will be for
my country" The officers told he must not.
but to get out of the boat and push it off. He
did so, but clung on behind until he reached
the other side
On reaching the b nix his drum was struck
by shell and blown to atoms. He saw a reb-
el flag flying in the town, and went for it,
He got a portion of it, which he now keeps as
souvenir. On his way up the street he pick
ed up gun. He entered house and, seeing
arebel sharpshooter who had his forefnger
shot of, he told him to surrender or he would
shaot him. The rebel Immediately threw
down his gun, and the boy took him and deliv-
cred him to the Seventh. He captured vari-
ETY. OF things that struck his fancy, among
which was an old clock, which he prizes high
ly. On returning to this side Of the river
Gen. Burnside stood upon the bank. He took
him by the hand and said to him, boy, glo-
ry IN your spunk. If you keep on that way,
you will be in my place before many years."
The boy is more than usually intelligent,
and modest, and tells his story with diffidence
he says he Is willing to go with the army. but
the surgeon will not let him, as he is subject
TO epieptic fits. He has already been in five
battles--Lebanon, Murfreesboro', Chattanoo-
ga, Shiloh and Fredericksburg, and surely can
claim exemption from further service. He
desires to 60 to school. Being poor he has
never had the advantages of education. Surely
poy who has exhibited such qualities ought
not 10 lack Tor generous friends to give him
an education"