Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-04-30
THE DRUMMER BOY OF MARBLEHEAD.

THE DRUMMER BOY OF MARBLEHEAD.
TRUE STORY.
The whole city was wild with triumph at the
| victories of Fort Donelson and Roanoke
| Cheer after cheer went up from the Exchange,
and people were momently jostling each other
| In the tbronged streets, and instead of begging
| pardon would burst into q shout for the old
flag Woman that am, as hurried home in
the twilight of that glorious day, had to hold
my muf close to my mouth to prevent my
voice from swelling the great thanksgiving.
Turning the conner of my own street was
astonished to see that my parlor was brilliantly
! lighted, and through the thin curtains like
wise saw figures moOving rapidly. 1 run up
the steps, aud soon discovered the reason, for
as opened the door all my own children and
seyera! of my neighbor's rushed with great
sweep into the hall, and for moment was
nearly stunned with their cheers for the fort,
the soldiers, the Stars and Stripes, ETC. At
last. at the volley Tor the guDboats, they stop
pea from sheer exhaustion, and asked very
meekly, "W hat in the world are you down in
the parlor for ?''
sWeii, mother,'' gasped Win, sswe wanted
to play, we were gunboats, and the nursery
wasn't big enough. See me now / am going
to run up within four hundred yalds of the
guns OF the FORT" and with a yell like wild
Indians he brandished cane, and made a
charge at book case. coming within an inch
OF smashing my Dante and Beatrice. | winc-
ed, bat did not scold them, only enticed them
into the less crowded diningrooDl, where we
played guuboats and cheered until their father,
coming home to tea, rather shocked us by
saying gravely that he should have to send us
all to the watchhouse. Many incidents of the
battles he told the eager children as we took
cur tea, and just before their bedtime, as
they stood around him for the customary
story, he told them one shall try to tell you.
You all know, said their father, how last
April the Massachusetts, troops were attack ed
and murdered in the streets of Baltimore and
how the whole heart Of New England thrilled
to avenge their death. There was a young
boy of Marblehead, only fifteen years old, Al
bert Mansur by name, who came home from
school that day. wild with indignation, and
told his mother that he was going to the war
he couldn't stay at home. ssWhy, Albert -
laughed his happy mother, ssthey won't have
you; you are too little, my boy" ssI can
drum, can't /, mother / guess those old
rebels will run when they hear me play the
Star Spangled Banner," and out be went and
his mother heard him playing the good old
tune as he maj ched down the street at the
head OF a tatterdemalion set OIL urchins called
by him his regiment. He had gift for drum
ming, and thinking of his words that mothers
heart stood still with fear. He was her only
child, her handsome boy how could she let
him go7 But she scolded herself for even
thinking Of it. OF course his father would
keep him at home. At dinner time Albert at
tackled his father on the subject, but his father
peremptorily answered "uo )" and told him
there must be no more talk on the matter.
Usually his fathers decision settled things
but this time Albert argued manfuly. He
could do just as good service as any body he
ought to go; he mnst go. But Mr.. Mansur
was firm, and he had to yield, although the
struggle was so severe that he grew pale and
thin. At last, to divert his attention, they
seIt him to his grand father 8 in Augusta, and
fervently hoped he would forget his fancy.
But when he arrived there he found regiment
all ready to go into camp short way from the
city He accompanied them drummer.
His father and mother, as the weeks went by,
became impatient, and at last went for him.
AS they rode through the streets, almost the
first person they saw was Albert, marching in
fine new uniform, with this same company,
who were on their way to the station. He had
kept his promise to them-tbat is, he had not
ell listed, but they felt from that day that they
must let him 60. He went homo with them,
and after few weeksthey gavelhim up,and he
enlisted in the Massachusetts Twenty third,
Colonel Kurtz, drummer for one of the
companies, being the youngest in the regi-
ment. Dear little ones l can never tell you
how his mother felt, how his father in his Bit
ter grief prayed, how many hot tears stained
the few articles he could carry, and then al
most as SOrTOWIuIiy as 10 0lS burial, tney
went to see him start. That day the poor pa
rents talked long together, then the father
went out, and while he was gone the pale
mother knelt with her face hidden, asking for
strength and patience. When he came in,
Albert knew that he should not go alone his
father had enlisted private in the same
company, SO as TO take care of that idolized
boy. They sailed in the Burnside Expedition
and on all that long, dreary passage, Albert
was the light and joy of bis regiment, and in
deed of all the regiments on the vessel. So
full of hope and enthusiasm was he, that his
father wrote to his mother, '.all the pettiug he
got did not seem TO hurt him Bit" Officers
and men delighted to do him favors, and his
prompt, saucey drumming, won praise from
the gallant comm snder himself.
When the hazardous work OF landing began,
Albert managed to be in one Of the tirst boats,
and was consequently among the FIRST to srand
on the enemy's island ofRoanOKe-thsirs then,
ours now, thanks be to God. In that march
through slime and water, he did his part we'll,
not allowing his father to touch his cherished
drum for an instant. At last they came in
sight of the enemy's battery. "Who VIII go
and take it 7'' asked the general command
Ing. sThe Massachusetts, Twenty-third," }" was
the quick reply. sForward, then, double
quick {" and in the teeth of that CALLING fre
they rushed to their death as it had been their
bridal Albert slung bis drum over bis shoul-