Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1862-01-09
Little Eddie-she Drummer.

\ correspondent of Chicago Tribune
writing from Benton Barracks, St. Louis
gives very touching story of a drumme
boy:
| A few days before our regiment receiv
ed orders TO join Gen. Lyon, on his marcel
TO Wilson's Greek, the drummsr of ou
company was taken sick and conveyed tc
the hospital, and on the evening preced
ing the day that We were to march, ne
gro WAS arrested within the lines of th,
camp and brought before our Captain, who
asked him "what business he had within
the lines" He replied, Il know drum
mer that would like to enlist in your com
pany, and have come to tell you of it. ,
He was Immediately requested TO inform
the drummer that if he would enlist fol
our short term of service, be would be al
lowed extra pay, and to do this he must
be upon the ground eally in the morning.
The negro was then passed beyond the
guard.
On the following morning there appear
ed before the Captains quarters, during
the beating of the reveille, good looking
middle aged woman, dressed in deep
mourning, leading by the hand sharp,
spfightly looking boy, apparently about
twelve or thirteen years old. Her story
was soon told. She was from East Ten
nessee, where her husband had been killed
by the rebels, and all their property de-
stroyed. She had come to St. Louis in
search of her sister, but not, finding her,
and being destitute of money, she thought
if she could procure situation for her boy
as drummer for the short time that we
had to remain in the service--Sha- could
find employment for herself and perhaps
find her sister by the time We were dis
charged.
During the rehearsal of her story the
little fellow Kept his eyes intently fixed
upon the countenance of the Captain, who
was about to express determination not
to take so small boy, when he spoke
out, saying, "Dou't be afraid, Captain, 1
can drum" This was spoken with so
much confidence that the Captain imme-
diately observed with smile, "Well, well,
Sergeant, bring the drum, and order our
tifer to come forward" In few minutes
the drum was produced, and our fifer made
his appearance, tall, round shouldered,
good natured fellow from Dubuque mines,
who stood, when erect, something over
six feet in height.
Upon being introduced to his new COM
rade, he stopped downward, with his
hands resting upon his knees that were
thrown forward into an acute angle, and
after pearing into the little fellows face a
moment, he observed, 'My little man can
you drum! "Yes, sir" he replied, 81
drummed for Captain Hill in Tennessee"
Our fifer Immediately commenced straight
ening himself upward, until all the angles
in his person had disappeared, when he
placed his fife TO his mouth and played the
''FIower of Peterborough" oGe 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 a master of the drum.
When the music ceased, our Captain turn
ed to the mother and observed, "Madam,
| will take your bov What is his name?"
Edward Lee" she replied; then placing
her hand upon the Captains arm, she con-
tinued, captain, if he is not killed" here
her maternal feelings overcame her utter
ance, and she bent down over her boy and
kissed him upon the forehead. As she
arose, she observed, "Captain, you will
bring him back with you, won't you!"-
YES, yes" he replied, "we will be certain
10 bring him back with US. We shall be
in six weeks"
In an hour after, our company led the
Iowa First out of camp, our drum and fife
playing 1.-THE girl | lett behind me-" Ed
lie, as we called him, soon became great
avorite with the company. When any of
Lhe boys bad returned from horticultural
Edde's share of the peaches and
melons was the first appointed out. Du-
ring our heavy fatiguing march from Rolla
10 Springfield. it was often amusing TO see
our long-leggeh fifer wading through the
mud with our little drummer mounted up
IN his back-and always in that position
when fording streams.
The night after the fight of Wilson's
Creek, where Lyon fell, was detailed for
guard duty. The hours passed slowly
.way, when at length the morning light
began to streak along the eastern sky, ma
ting surrounding objects more plainly visi-
Die. Presently l heard drum beat up
he morning call. At first l thought it
anne from the camp of the enemy across
he creek; but as listened l found that it
ame up from the deep ravine; for a few
minutes it was silent, and then as it became
more light heard /, again. listened
he sound of the drum was familiat to me
and knew that it was
Our drummer boy from Tennessee,
Beating for help the reveille.
l was about to desert my post 10 90 TO his |
.ssistance when l discovered the officer of
he guard approaching with two men,
No all listened to the sound and we were
atisfied that II wus Eddy's drum. l ask.
d PERMISSION to 90 to his ASSISTANCE. |
The officer hesitated saying that the order
vas TO march in twenty minutes. | prom.
sed to be back in that time, when he
onsented. Immediately started down the |
ill through the thick underground, and |
Ipon reaching the valley l followed the
ound of the drum and soon found him
eatel unon tho crround hi, ba.E Iaonino, |