Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-03-22
LIrTLR EDDIE, rae DRUaInIER.
RzEroE BARRACKS, missouri, !
Deoemher 20. 1861. I

EzHToH 6AhkACks, Ml6aOuELr
December 20, 1861.
A few days before our regiment received
orders 70 jcin General Lyon, on his march
10 Wilson'S Oreek, the drummer Of our COM
rsny va taken sick and conveyed to the
kopItal, snd on the evening preceding the
dsy hat We were 70 march, 9 negro was
arrested within the lines ef the camp and
brought before our captain, who asked him
HWhRt business he had within the lines q
He replied, al knew q drummer that would
like 70 enlist il your company, and have
come to tell you Of it, He was immedi-
atsly requested to inform the drummer
that II he Wo5ld enlist for our short term
Of service he would be allowed extra pay,
and 10 do this be must be on the ground
early in the morning. The negro vas then
passed beyond ths guard.
On the following morning there appeared
before ths captain's quarters, during the
beating Of the reveille, q good looking,
middle-aEsd woman, dressed in deep
mourning, leading By the hand q sharp,
sprighily- looking boy, apparently about
twelve OF thirteen years old
Her story vas soon told. She vas from
East Tenn0ssee, 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 ind
ing her, and being destitute Of money, she
thought IL she could procure q situstion
for her boy ss 3 drummer, for the short
time that We hsd to remain in the service,
she could hnd employment for herself and
perhaps 6nd her sister by the time We were
discharged.
During the rehearsal Of her story the
little fellow kept his eyes intently fixed
upon the oountensnee Of the captain, who
Tss about 70 express s determination not
to take 50 small boy, when be spoke out
saying,
aDon't be afraid, captain, 1 can drum"
This vas spoken with 50 much conf
dsnce that the captain Immediately OBJ
served With q smile,
We'll, vel, sergeant, bring the drum,
and order our ffer to come forward
Ina few minutes the drum was produced,
snd our ffsr made his appearance, tall,
TOund-shouldered, gOod-natured fellow,
from The Dubuque mines, who stood, when
srsot something over six feet in height.
Upon being introduced to his new CON-
rade, be stopped downward, with his hands
resting upon his knees, that we're thrown
forward into an acute angle, and, after peer
ing into the lettle fellows face moment,
be observed, "My little man, can you
drum3H
ayes, sir, he replied, HI drummsd for
Capt. Hill, in Tennessee"
Our ffer Immediately commenced
STRENGTHENING himself upward, until ell
the angles in his person had disappeared,
Whon he plased the fife 10 his mouth and
played the aFloWer Of Edinborough,n one
Of the most di6isult tunes to follow with
the drum that could have been selected,
but nobly did the little fellow follow him,
showing him 10 be master Of the drum.
When the music ceased, our Captain turn
Od 10 the mother snd observed, MADAM, I
viii take yonr boy. What is his name3"
GEdWnrd Lee" she replied then plsc
inR her hand upon the Captains arm, she
continued, Captain, If be is not Killed.
here her mateTnal feelings overcame her
uttsrsnoe, and she bent down over her boy
and kissed him on the f0rsbesd. As she
arose, she observed, HCsptain you win
bring him back with you, Won't your"
ayes, yes," he replied, 1--WE viii be GER
tain 10 bring him back with rs. We shall
Is discharged in six weeks
In An hour after, our company led the
Iowa first out Of camp, our drum and hfe
playing athe girl left behind me- 3D.
die' as We called him, soon became great
favorite with all the men in the company.
When any Of the boys had returned from q
horticultural excursion, Edie's share Of the
peaohes and melons was the FIRST appor-
TONED out During our heavy and fatigu-
ine march from RollR to Springfield il was
often amusing to see our long Legged ffer
Vsding through the mud with cur little
drummer mounted on his back, snd always
il that position when fording streams,
During the 6ght at Wilson's Greek YES
stationed with 8 part Of our company on
the night Of Tottsn's battery, while the bal
lance Of our company with 3 part Of the
Illinois regiment was ordered down into
deeply hmbered Eavine on our left, in
which Il vas known that portion Of the
enemy was concealed, with whom they
were soon engaged. The contest in the re-.
vine continuing some time, Tottsn suddenly
wheeled bis battery upon the enemy In that
quarter, when they soon retreaisd III tbs
high ground behind their lines. In l..s
shan twenty minutes after Totisn had 49,
en- tbs enemy from the ravine, TIE vor5
paased from man 70 mGn throuehout -
army, tLyon is killed, and soon after, hoE.
tilites having ceased upon both sides, he
order came for FOR our main force 70 fan
baok upon Springfield. while part Of the
Iowa First and two companies Of the Mis-
scuFi regiment were 70 camp upon tbe
ground and cover the retreat next norm
Ing. That night Vas detailed Tor e1ard
duty, ny turn of guard closing via the
moFning eall. When Wsnt out With fhe
oResr 8 relief ] f0uRd that ny post Va