The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1862-04-24
LITTLE EDDIE, THE DRUMMER
nov

BOY.
A CORRESPONDENT of the Chicago Tribune, writ
ing from Benton Barracks, st. Louis, gives a very
touching story Of a drummer boy:
few days before regiment received orders
to join Gen. Lyon, on his march to Wilson's creek,
the drummer of our company was taken sick and
conveyed to the hospital, and onthe evening pre-
ceding the day that we were to march, a negro
was arrested within the lines of the camp and
brought before our captain, who asked hlm " what
business he had within the lines?" lie replied,
81 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 drum
mer that if he would enlist for our shcrt tlrm Of
service, he would be allowed extra pay, AMI to 10
this he must be on the ground early in the morn
ing. The negro was then passed beyond the
guard.
On the following morning there appeared before
the Captains quarters, during the beating of the
reveille, a gool-lookng, midde-agcd woman, dress
ed in deep mourning, loading by the hand sharp
sprightly looking boy, apparently about twelve or
thirteen years old. Tier story was soon told. She
from East Tennessee, where her husband had
been killed by the rebels and all their property de-
her sister, but not finding her, and being destitute
of money, she thought if she could procure a situ-
alton for her boy as drummer for the short time
We had to remain in the service, she could find en-
ployment for herself and perhaps find her sister by
the time we were discharged.
During the rehearsel of her story, the little fell
low kept his eyes fixed upon the countenance of the
Captain, who was about to express determination
not to take small boy, when he spoke out isay
ing, ef... .-... 4..l....-
"Don't BE- afraid, Captain, can drum"
This was spoken with so much confidence that
the Captain Immediately observed with smile,
"Well, well, Sergeant bring the drum, and order
our fifer to come forward"
In a few minutes the drum was produced, and
our fGer made his appearance, tall, round Should
cred, good-natured fellow from the Dubuque mines,
who stood, when erect, something over six feet in
hight.
Upon being introduced to his new comrade, he
stopped downward, with his hand resting upon his
knees that were thrown forward into an acute an
gle, and peering into the little fellows facea mo
ment he observed,
My little man, can you drumG"
"Yes, sir" he replied, :" drummed for Captain
Hill, in Tennessee"
| Our fifer Immediately commenced strengthening
himself upward till all the angles in his person had
disappeared; when he placed his fife TO his mouth
and played the Flowers of Edenborough," one Of
the most difficult tunes to follow which could have
been selected, but nobly did the little fellow follow
him, showing him to be master of the drum. When
the music ceased, our Captain turned to tue moth
er and observed,
MADAM, will take your boy, What Is his
name no .a .r... .......
edward Lee" she Replied then placing her
hand upon the Captains arm, she continued,
A" Captain, if ne is not killed -" here her mater
nal feelings overcame her utterance, and she bent
down over her boy and kissed him upon the fore
head. As she arose, she observed, Captain, YOU
will bring him back, won't you? NJ"
ayes, yes" he replied, "we will be certain to
bring him back with US. We will be discharged
in six weeks" .s..
Ia an hour sfterward, our company led the first
Iowa ont Of camp, our drum and fife playing " The
girl left behind me-"
| Eddie, as We called him, soon became great
fayorite with all the men in the company. When
any of the boys had returned from horticultural
excursion, Eddie's share of the peaches and mel
Ons was the first spportioned out. During our
heavy and fatiguing march from Rolla to Spring
field, twas often amusing to sec our long legged
6fer wading through the mud with our little drum
mer mounted upon his back and always in that
position when fOrding streams.
| The night after the fight at Wilson's Crsek, where