The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1862-02-24
Little Eddie.-Fhe Drummer Boy.

gives very touching story of drummer
boy:
A few days before our regiment receive"
orders to join Gen. Lyon, on his marcn 10
Wilson's Greek, the drummer OF our company
was taken sick and conveyed TO the hospital
and on the evening preceding the day that we
were to march, negro was arrested within
the lines of the camp and brought before our
CAPTAIN. who asked him what business he
had within the lines ?" He replied Il know
drummer that would like to enlist IN your
company and l have come to tell you OF 1t.
He was Immediately requested TO inform the
drummer that if he would enlist for our short
term of service, he would be allowed extra
pay, and to do this he must be upon the
ground early in the moraing. The negro was
then passed beyond the guard.
On the following morning there appeared
before the Captains quarters, during the
beating of the revelle, good-looking, middle
aged woman, dressed in deep mourning, lead
ing by the hand sharp, sprghtly -looklng
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 al! their property de-
stroyed. She had come to St. Louis in search
of her sister, but not fading her, and being
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 discharged.
During the rehearsal of her story the little
fellow kept his eyes fixed upon the counten-
ance of the Captain, who was about to express
determination not to take so small boy,
when he spoke out, saying,
Don't oe afraid, Captain, I can drum"
This was spoken with so much confidence
that the Captain Immediately observed with a
smile,
Well, we'll, Sergeant, bring the drum, and
order our ffcr to come forward
In few minutes the drum was produced,
and our 6ter made his appearance, a tall,
und-shoudered, gool-natured fellow from
the Dubuque mines, who stood, when erect,
something over six feet in hight.
Upon being introduced to his new comrade,
be stopped downward, with his hands resting
upon his knees that were thrown forward into
al acute angle, and peering into the little fell
lows face moment, he observed,
My little man, can you drum g
Yes, sir, he replied, l drummed for
Capt. Hill in Tennessee.
! Our fter Immediately commenced straight
ening 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 with the drum that 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 the mother and observed,
Madam, | will take your boy. What is
his name ?
Edward Lee" she replied then placing
her hand upon the Captains arm she contin-
ued, Captain, if he is not killed. here her
maternal feelings overcame her utterance, and
she bent down over her boy and kissed him
upon the forehead. AS she arose, she obser-
we'd, Captain, you will bring him back with
you, won't you q
Yes, yes he replied, we will be certain
to bring him back with US. We shall be dis.
charged in six weeks
In an hour after our company led tho 1st
Iowa out Of camp, our drum and fife playing
/" The girl left behind me-" Eddie, as we
called him, soon became great tavorite with
all the men in the company. When any of
the boys had returned from horticultural
excursion, Eddies share OF the peaches and
melons was the first apportioued out. Dur
ing our heavy and fatguing march from RoI.
la to Springfield, it was often amusing to see
our long-legged fter wading through the mud
with our little drummer mounted upon his
back-and always in that position when ford
ing streams.
$:
The night after the fight at Wilson's Creek
r where Lyon Tell, l was detailed Tor guard du.
ty. The hours passed slowly away, when a,
length the morning light began to streak
along the eastern sky, making surrounding
-, objects more plainly visible. Presently
+ heard drum beat up the morning call. A,
t first thought it came from the camp Of the
enemy across the creek; but as listened
f found that it came from the deep II vine 70,
e u few minutes it was silent, and then as it be-
a came more light | heard it again. listened
> the sound of the drum was familiar to m,
. and knew that it was
b. Our drummer boy from Tennessee
Beating for help the revee.
T