Pomeroy weekly telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy, Meigs County, Ohio) 1860-1866, 1862-03-28
LITTLE EDD1E---THE DRUMMER.


bune, writing from Benton Barracks,
| st. Louis, gives very touching story of
asdrummer boy: -
! "A few days before our regiment re-
.ceiyed orders to join Gen. Lyon, on his
march to Wilson's Creek, the drummer
of our company was taken sick and con-
lveyed to the hospital, and on the even
ling preceding the day that we were to
march, a negro was arrested within the
lines of the camp and brought before
our Captain, who asked him "what busi-
ness he had within the lines?' He re-
tplied, of know drummer that would
like to enlist in your company, and
| have come to tell you of it." He was
Immediately requested to inform the
drummer that if he would enlist for our
short term of service, he would be al.
lowed extra pay, and to do this, be must
be upon the ground early in the morn
ing. The negro was then passed beyond
the guard. -..@< sss
On the following morning there ap-
lpeared before the Captains quarters,
during the beating of the reveIlie, a
good-looking, middle-aged woman,
dressed in. deep mourning, leading by
the hand sharp, sprightly- looking
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
rebels, and all their property destroyed.
She had come to st. Louis in search of
her sister, but not finding her, and be-
ling destitute of money, she thought if
she could procure situation for her
boy as drummer, for the short time we
had to remain in the service, she could
| find employment for herself and perhaps
find her sister by the time we were dis
charged. = as
During the rehearsal of her story the
little fellow kept his eyes intently fixed
upon the countenance of the Captains S
who was about to express a determina-
tion not to take SO small a boy, when he
spoke out, saying, "Don't be afraid,
Captain, can drum This was spoken
with so much confidence that the Cap
tain Immediately observed with a smile,
"Well, well, Sergeant, bring the drum
and order out the fifer to come forward" !"
In a. few minutes the drum was produced,
and our ffer made his appearance, a
tall, round shouldered good -natured fel-
low from the Dubuque mines, who
stood, when erect, something over six
feet in hight u . sssfii.as'f
Upon being introduced to his new
comrade he stopped downward, with his
! hands resting upon his knees that were
thrown forward into an acute angle, and
peering into the little fellows face a
moment, he observed, aNfy little man,
can you drum?' Yes, sir hereplied,
! ssIsdrhnrmed foarC Captain sHill3Fin Ten !
nessee.,'' 0un6fer commenced straight
4 ening. himself upward, until all the San-
giles in his person had disappeared, when
he placed his fife to his mouth and
played the Flowers efsN Edenbor-
ough cone fithe sniost diffied:ts tunes
to fellow with itheadrun that euld.hare
been seleeted, but. nebl y did the little
4 fellow follow him, showing him to be a
master Of the drum " hen the music
ceased. azour Captain turned to the
motherand observed, , 'dadame,sI will
take your boys sWhatiss shissname?'l-4-
edward Lee" she replied then placl
ing her hand upon, the Captains, arm,
she continued, CAPTAIN, if be is not
killed. here her maternal feelings
Iovercome her utterance ,7and she bent
down over her boy, and kissed him upon
the forehead. AS she arose she OBJ
served, Captain, you will bring him
back with you, won't you? Yes, yes, "
he replied, ''we will be certain TO bring
him back with us. I'VE shall be dis
charged in six weeks."''sys zzsa eessz 81
In. an hour after, our company led
the First Iowa out of camp, our drum
and fife playing sThe girl I left behind
me. 4 Eddie, sas6 we called him, soon
became great fayorite withlall the emeh
lin the company When any one of the
boys had returned from a horticultural
Excursion, Eddie's share Of the peaches
and melons was the first apportioned
out.s During our heavy and fatiguing
march from Rolla to Springfield, it was
, often amusing to. see our long-legged
ffer waaing through the mud with oul
and always in that position when
Efording streams. sszs Efta EssS ssFzssa 3
X, 4 = ssa x g. ~ rs @s*osa 4
The night after the fghtsat Wilson's
Creek, where Lyon FELL was detailed
for guard duty. The hours passed
slowly away, when at length the morn.
ling light began to streak along the
eastern sky, making surrounding object.
more plainly visible. Presently heard
La drum beat up the morning call. A
|, first I thought it came FROM the enemy
across the creek; hut as l listened
found that it came from the deep ra
vine; for few minutes it was silent
and then as it became more light heart
it again. I listened--the sound of the
drum was familiar to me-and I knew
that twas, & -s-
Our drummer boy from Tennessee,
Beating, help, for the reveille.
& Iwas about to desert my post to g
. to his ssistance, when. discovered th'
officer of the guard approaching witt
, two men. We all listened to the sound
r and were satisfied that it was Eddy
drum. asked permission to go to hi
, assistance. The officer hesitated, saying
, that the orders were. TO march in twenty
1 minutes. promised to be back in tina
time, when he consented. | iEmedi
: ately started down the hill through th
: thick underground, and upon reaching
the valley, followed the sound of tn
. drum, and soon found him seated upol
the ground, his back leaning agains
the trunk of fallen tree, while hi
> drum hung upon bush in front of him
3 reaching nearly to the ground. A