Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1862-03-08
Little Eddie The Drummer,
a "Reminiscences OF wnrssn,s Greek,


A few days before our regiment received
orders TO join Gen. Lyon. on his march ia
Wilson's Greek. the drummer OF our com.
pany was taken sick and conveyed 10 the
hospital. and on the evening preceding the
day that we were TO march, negro was or.
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 would
like TO enlist in your company, and have
come to tell you ofitr He was Immediate
ly requested TO inform the drummer that If
he would enlist for our short term of ser.
vice, 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.
On the following morning there appear
ed before the Captains quarters, during she
beating of the revelle, good looking,
middle aged woman, dressed 10 deep mourn
ing, leading by the hand sharp, sprightly
looking boy, apparently about twelve or l3
years of age. 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
10 ST. Louis in search of her sister, but not
finding her. and being destitute Of money
she thonght if she eoSld procure a 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
fnd her sister by the time we we're dis.
charged.
During the rehearsal Of her story the little
fellow kept bis eyes intenily fixed upon the
countenance of the Captain, who was about
10 express a determination not to take so
small boy, when he spoke out. "Don't be
afraid Captain, can drum" This was
spoked with so much confidence that the
Captain Immediately observed With q smile,
"Well, well, Sergeant, bring the drum, and
order our RieF to come forward. In few
moments the drum was produced, aud ouI
ffer, tall. round.shOuldered good natured
fellow from The Dubuque mines, who stood
when erect, something over six feet ia
height.
Upon being introduced to his new com
rade, he stopped down, with bis hands rest
ing on bis knees, that were thrown forward
into an acute angle, and then after peeFing
into the little fellows face moment, he OBJ
served, MY little man, can yoR drum Z
Yes, sir,' he replied, L drnmmed for Capt
Hill in Tennessee Our ffer' immediately
commenced Strengthening himself upward
until all the angels 10 bis persons had dis
appeared, when he placed his ffe 10 BIZ
mouth and played the 'Flowers OF Eden
borough one Of the most difficult tunes Il
follow with the drum that could have beef
selected, and nobly did the tile fellow fol
low him, showing himself TO be master o
the drnm. When the music ceased, onl
Captain turned 10 the mother aud observed
Madam, / will take Jour boy. What /
his name 7 Edward Lee, she replied the
placing her hand upon the Captains arm
, she continued, Captain II he is not killed
Here her maternal feelings overcama be
, utlerance. aud she bent down over her DO.
and kissed him upon the forehead. As sh'
arose she observed. Captain you will oript
him back With you, won't you 'fes' yes