Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1862-02-06
Migrtllanenns.
From the Chicago Tribune.
LITTLE EDDIE THE DRUMMER.

A few days before our regiment received
orders to join Gen. Lyon on his march te
| Wilson's Creek, the drummer Of our com.
pany was taken sick and conveyed to the
hospital, and on the evening preceding the
! day that We were to march, negro was ar
rested within the lines of the camp and
brought before our Captain, Who asked him,
"what business he had within the lines ?"--
He replied, II know drummer that you
would like to enlist in your company, and I
have come to tell you of it," He was im-
mediatcly requested to inform the drummer
that If he would enlist for our short term OF
service he would be allowed extra pay, and
to do this he must be on the ground early in
the morning. The negro was then passed
beyond the guard. - ,.,.t,..-
On the following morning there appeared
before the Captains quarters, during the beat
ing Of the rereille, good-looking, middle
aged woman, dressed in deep mourning,
leading by the hand sharp. sprightly-look- :
ing boy, apparently twelve OF thirteen years
of age. Her story wss soon told She was
from East Tennessee. where Ler husband had
been killed by the Re bells, and all her prop
erty destroyed She had come to St. Louis
in search Of her sister, and, not finding her,
and being destitute OF money, she thought il
she could procure a situation for her boy as
drummer for the short time we had to re-
main in the service, she could find employ
ment for herself, and perhaps find her sister
by the time we were discharged.
During the rehearsal of her story the lit
tie fellow kept his eyes intently fixed upon
the countenanco of the Captain. who was
about to express determination not to take
50 small boy, when be spoke out, Don't
be afraid, Captain, can drum" This Was
spoken with SO much confidence that the
Captain Immediately observed with smile,
"Well. we'll, Sergeant, bring the drum, and
order our fifer to come forward" In few
moments the drum was produced, and our
hfer, tall, -shouldered, good. .natured
fellow, from the Dubuque mines, who stood,
when erect. something over six feet in height,
soon made his appearance. ..-r.s -..,. ...
Upon being introduced to Lis new COM
rade he stopped down, with his hands rest
ing upon his knees that wcrc thrown forward
into an acute angle, and after peering into
the little fellows face moment he observed,
"My little man can you drum ~ EYES, SIR"
he replied. II drummed for Captain Hill, in
Tennessee" Our ffer Immediately COM
menced Strengthening himself upward until
all the angles in his person had disappeared.
when he placed the fife to bis mouth and
,layed tho FLOWERS Of Edenborough," one |
( the most difficult things TO follow with
he drum that could be selected, and nobly
lid the little fellow follow him, showing
himself to be a master Of the drum. When
he music ceased our Captain turned to the |
mother and observed, "Dfadam, will take
'our boy. What is his name ?" Edward !.
Lec," she replied, then, placing her hand
Upon the Captains arm she observed, cap
ain, if he is net killed" here her maternal
ceilings overcame her utterances, and she
ent down over her boy and kissed him upon
he forehead. As she aro7e 81. obscrvel