The Shasta courier., 1866-02-24
SHASTA COURIER.
Little JOHNNY Glenn.

Of course you remember the story of little
Johnny Glen, the motherless atom of
drummer boy, aged ten. who strayed away
from Newark, Ohio; and the first we knew
of him, though small enough to live in
drum, was beating the long roll for the
Twenty second Michigan. At Chickamauga,
he filled the Office of Marker carrying
the guidon whereby they form the lines;
duty having its counterpart in the surveyors
more peaceful calling, in the iag-man who
futters the red signal along the metes and
bounds.
On the Sunday of the battle, the little fell
lows occupation gone, he picked up gun
that had fallen from some dying hand, pro-
vided himself with ammunition, and began
putting in the periods quite on his own
count, blazing away close to the ground,
like a FREELY in the grass. Late in the
waning day, the waif left almost alone in the
whirl of battle, rebel Colonel dashed up,
and looking down at him, ordered him to
surrender . Surrender !" he shouted, you
little p The words were hardly out of
his mouth, when Johnny brought his piece
to "order arms" and as his hand slipped
down to the hammer, be pressed it back,
swung up the gun to the position Of g charge
bayonet," and as the officer raised his saber
to strike the piece aside, the glancing barrel
lifted into range, and the proud Colonel
tumbled from his horse, his lips fresh stain
ed with the syllable of vile reproach he had
flung on mothers grave in the hearing of
her child. A few swift moments ticked on
by musket shot, and the tiny gunner was
swept up at rebel swoop aud borne away
prisoner. Soldiers, bigger but not better,
were taken with him only to be washed back
again by charge of Federal troopers, and
the prisoner of thirty minutes was again
Johnny Glen of 9 ours" Gen. Rosecrans
made him Sergeant and the stripes of rank
covered him all over like a mouse in har-
ness; and the daughter of Mr.. Secretary
Chase presented him a silver medal, appro
priately inscribed, which he most worthily
wears, royal order of honor upon his left
breast; and all men conspire to spoil him;
but, since few ladies can get at him here,
perhaps he may be saved.
Well, like Flora McFl.msey, the Sergeant
had nothing to wear :" the clothing in the
wardrobe of loyal livery was not at all like
Desdomona's handkerchief, g too little,
But like the garments of the man who room
ed month over bakers oven, g world
too wide )" and so Miss Babcock, of the San,
itary Commission, suggested that uniform
for the little Orderly would be acceptable
Mr., Waite and other gentlemen of the
Sherman" House ordered it, Messrs. A.
D. Tisworth & Co, made it, Chaplain Ray
mond brought it, Miss Babcock presented it,
and Johnny put it on. Chaplain Raymond
of the Fifty first Illinois-by the by. most
earnest and efficient oficer-accompanied
the gift with exceedingly appropriate sugges
tions and advice. l happened at headquar-
ters just as the belted and armed Sergeant
was booted and spurred. and ready to ride.
Resplendent in his elegant uniform. rigged
cap-a pie, modest, frank, with a clear eye
and a manly face, he looked more like
fancy picture than living thing. Said he
to the Chaplain You captured me by
surprise yesterday" Now, he is going
on' thirteen, as our grandmother used to
say but he would be no monster if we call
ed him only nine. Think of a sixty-three
pound ergeant-fancy handful of hero,
and then read the Arabian Nights and be-
lieve them. Long live the little Orderly
Rebellion Record.