Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1862-01-24
LITTLE EnDIE, THE DRUMMER-A
REMINISCENCE OF WILSON'S
CREEK.

Correspondence Of the Chicago Trl5une.l
CAMP Benton, Dec 20.-A few days be-
fore our regiment received orders to j3in Gen.
Lyon on his march TO Wilson's Creek, the
drummer of cur company was taken sick and
conveyed to the hospital, and on the evening
proceeding tbe day that we were 10 march, 9
negro was arrested within the lines Of the
camp and brought before our Captain, who
asked him, sswhat business be had within the
lines % He replied, 81 know drummer that
you would like TO enlist in Your company, aud
| have come to tell you of it." He was im-
mediately requested to inform the drummer
that il be would enlist for our short term of
service be would be allowed extra pay, aud TO
do this he must be on the ground early In the
morning. The negro was then passed beyond
the guard.
Ga the following morning there appeared be-
fore the Captains quarters, during the beating
of the reUeiAe, good looking. middle aged
woman, dressed in deep mourning, leading By
the band sharp, sprighty-looking boy, ap-
parently twelve or thirteen years of age. Her
story was soon told. She was from East Ten
nesee, where her husband had been killed by
the Rebels, and ell her property destroyed.-
She had come to st. Louis in search of her
sister, and. not finding her, and being desti-
tute of money, she thought if she could pro-
cure a situation for her boy as drummer for
tie short time we had to remain in the service,
she could ind employment for herself, and per-
haps find her sister by the time we were dis
charged.
During the rehearsal of her story the little
fellow kept his eyes intently fixed upon the
couuteuance Of the Captain, who was about to
express determination not to take so small
bog, when he spoke OUT, "Don't be afraid,
Captain. can drum" This was spoken With so
much confidence that the Captain immediately
observed with smile, ssWell, we'll, Sergeant,
bring the drum, and order our ffer to come
forward" 10 few moments the drum was
produced, and our ifer, tall, round. shoulders
ed, good-natured fellow, from the Dubuque
mines, who stood, when erect, something over
six feet in height, soon made his appearance.
Upon being introduced to his new comrade
he stopped down, with his hands resting upon
bis knees that were thrown forward into au
acute angle, and after peering into the little
fellows face moment he observed, "Aly little
man can you drum 90 ssYes, sir,'' he replied.
81 drumned for Captain Hill, 10 Tennessee -
Our ffer Immediately commenced straitening
himself upward until all the angles in his per-
son bad disappeared, when be placed the fife
in his mouth aud played the Flowers of Eden
boroGgh,' one of the most difficult things to
follow with the drum that could be selected,
and nobly did che little fellow follow him,
showing himself TO be master OF the drum
When the music ceased our Captain snyned to
the mother and observed, "Madam, will take
your boy. What is his name 90 edward
Lee" she replied, then, placing her hand up
on the Captains arm she observed, "Captaiu,
if be Is not killed here her maternal feel.
ings overcame her uttcrances, aud she bent
down over her boy and kissed him upon the
forehead. AS she arose she observed, slap
tain, you will bring him back with you, won't
you :" "Yes, yes," be replied, "we will be
certain to bring him back with Us. We shall
be discharged in SIX weeks
In az hour aftaTT, our company led the To-
W. First oui of camp, OUT drusa and fife plays
ing ''The girl / Jeff behind me- Eddie, as
we called him, soon became great faveTise
With ali the men in the company. When any
OF the boys hsd returned from horticultural
eAeurslon, Eddie's share OF the peaches aud
melons vas The drst apportioned cnt. During
cur heavy and fatiguing march from Rolia 10
springfield II vas often ampsing to see oaF
foOg legged tifer wading through the mud Hlih
cur little drummer noun ed on his back aad
~9aSs 10 the position Nhen forcing s'roa@s,
Il e