Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1862-03-13
LITTLE EDDIE, THE DRUMMER BOY

A Few days before our regiment re-
ceived orders to join Gen. Lyon, on
his march to Wilson's Greek, the drum
mer OF our company was taken sick
and conveyed to the hospital, and on
the evening preceding the day that we
were to march, q negro was arrested
within the lines of the camp and
brought before our captain, who asked
him "whst business he had within our
sine?" He replied, 81 know drum
mer that would ike to enlist in your
company, and / have come testell yon
of it." Hewas immediatelyreq requested
toinform the drummer thatH be would
enlist for our short term OF service, be
would be allowed extra pay. and to do
this he must be upon the ground early
in the morning. The negro was then
passed beyond the guard,
On the following morning there ap-
peared before the Captains quarters,
during the beating of the reveille,
good looking, middle aged woman,
dressed in deep, mourning. leading BY
the hand a sharp. sprightly locking
boy, apparently about twelve or thirteen
years old. Her story was soon told
She was from East Tennessee, where
her husband had been killed by the reb-
els, and all their property destroyed.
She had come 10 St. Louis In search OF
her sister, but not finding her, and be-
ing destitute of money, she tsepght if
she could procure situation for her
boy as a drummer for the short time we
had to remain in the service. she could
find. employment for herself and per-
haps fpd her sister by the time We were
discharged.
During the rehearsal of her story the
little fellow kept his eyes intently fixed
upon the countenance of the Captain,
who was about to express determin-
alton not to take SO small boy, when
he spoke out, saying, Don't be afraid,
Captain, / can drum" This was spo-
ken with so much confidence that the
Captain Immediately observed with
smile, well. well, sergeant, bring the
drum, and order our 6fer to come for
ward" In few minutes the drum
was produced, and our ffer made his
appearance, a tall, round-sbouldered,
gdbd-natured fellow fromsthe Dubuque
mines, who stood when erect. some
thing-eSet six feet in height.
Upon being introduced to his new
s comrade, be stooptd aewH:= with his
hands resting upon his knees that were
thrown forward into an acute angle,
and peering into the little fellows face
amoment, he observed. "My little man,
can you drum?" Eyes, SIR" he re-
piled, 81 drummed for Captain Hill in
Tennessee" Our fifer Immediately
commenced Strengthening himself up
ward, until all the angles in his person
had disappeared. when he placed his
file to his mouth, and played the "Flow-
ers Of Peterborough" one Of the most
difficult tunes to follow with the drum
that could have been selected, but no.
bly, did the. little fellow follow him,
showing him to be master of the drum.
When the music ceased, our Captain
turned to the mother and observed,
MADAME, / will take your boy. What
is his name?' edward Lee" she re-
piled; hen placing her hand upon the
Captains arm. she continued. "Cap-
tain, il he is not killed" here her
maternal feelings overcame her utter
ance, and she bent down over her boy
and kissed him on the forehead. As
she arose she observed, "Caplain. you
will bring him back with you. won't
you?" Eyes. yes," he replied. 1--WE
will be certain to bring him back with
us. We shall be discharged in six
weeks"
In an hour after. our company led
the First Iowa out of camp. our drum
and fife playing "The girl left behind
me-" Eddie, as we called him, soon
became a great favorite with all the
men in the company. When any Of
the boys had returned from horticul-
tural excursion, Eddie's share Of the
peaches and melons was the first appor-
toned out. During our heavy and fa-
tiguing march from Rolla to Springfield.
it was often amusing to see our long
legged 6fer wading through the mud
with our little drummer mounted upon
his back-and always in that position
when fording streams.
The night after the fight at Wilson's
Greek, where Lyon fell, was detailed
for guard duty. The hours passed
slowly away, when at length the morn
ing light began to streak along the cas-.
tern sky, making surrounding objects
more plainly visible. Presently heard
a drum beat up the morning call. AT
FIRST 1 thought it came from the camp
Of the enemy across the creek; but as
listened found that it came from the
deep ravine; for few minutes it was
silent, and then as It became more light
heard il again. l listened-the sound
of the drum was familiar to me-snd
knew that it was
Our drummer boy from Tennessee,
Beating fos help. the reveills.
Iuas about to quit my post to 90 to
his assistance. when ]. discovered the
officer of the guard approaching with
two men. We all listened to the sound.
and were satisfied that it was Eddie's
drum. / asked permission to 60 to his
assistance. The officer hesitsted, say
ing that the orders we're to march in
k-.1tv pronnicad ho