National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-05-14
THE YOUNGEST SOLDIER.
Michigan Claims the Honor of Sending
kim Into the Field.

Robert Henry Henderson,, a drummer
boy. belonging TO- it is believed, Il Michigan regi-
lucnt in The Army of the Potomac, was probably
the most youthful Union Soldier serving during
the late unpleasantness. When the battle of Fred
crickSburg was fought December Is. 1862, he was
hgJ thirteen years of age. When his command
entered the pOntOOns to cross the Rappahannock
hr was ordered to remain behind, his commanding
officer observing, ITS no place for babies over
yonder" pointing in the direction of Manages
Heights. Young Hendershott was considerably
aDgered by this remark, and, as he afterward ex-
Ilained, said he made up his mind lust to 60 any
how" As the last boat showed off he sprang into
the water seized hold of the gunwale, and in this
manner was ferried over into the town.
III the charge that followed he bore
mG>ket and did his derOirS like the
most doughty knight among them all. During the
engagement he was severely wounded in the face
bit would not and did not leave the field until
Lightiall. Ifalive he yet wears upon one cheek
long, deep scar, extending from temple to chin as
lasting memento of his baptism offfre and blood.
In loi$ the late H. G, Eastman, ofPoughkeepsie,
then president of a business college, and subse-
qUcntly mayor ofthat city, gave him a scholar
ship in his institution, and became his patron.
Since the close Ofthe war he has been lost sight Of
but until some more youthful claimant puts in an
appearance the name of HenderShOtt must
stand upon the rolls us the youngest soldier of the
Republic
EOEng LaEiy's Foot Blocks = Railroad.
\ young lady took car which brought
h.r To the foot OF California street. and there took
seat Oh the dummy car, which bore her to the
vicinity Of her home on Octavia street. As she
irh the car and was crossing the track on the
southern side her foot slipped and turned and was
caught last III the crack where the wire cable
passes. Some impcTfection in the roadbed had
Ca'i'ed the narrow aperture to expand, and the
Young girls narrow foot was entrapped. The en-
giAccr of the eaSt-bound dummy saw the obstacle
on The road in season to check his swift approach
l'lE tar and alghted, with the conductor and sew
ERA. passengers of investigating mind, who en-
deavoFed to release the seRier foot but their eff
forts were vain. Another car and another brought
up IN funeral row, and constant reinforcements
III the way Of passing pedestrians cheered and
tniiycned the scene. An attempt was made to pry
Inc iron rails forming the cable channel further
apart, but they firmly resisted all efforts Every
'iy mad a suggestion: " Push your foot forward"
Iuil II back" Tip it sideways" Lift your
AeeL higher The unhappy girl was almost faint
Eng but she pcrSeYered i'll her efforts to extricate
me offending member. By this time travel on the
road had virtually ceased. The last car had long
ago passed, and was steadily approaching to fall
INTO line at the rear of the singular procession
DcNn-town passengers fretted and flImed OF SLOWLY
climbed the Hill in disgust On every street corner
groups OF waiting people berated the laxity of
sHeet-car management Reporters from all the
DOWNTOWN dailies were proceeding westward to
learn the meaning Ofthe large crowd reported to
nave assembled in the Western Addition From
Ihe scene of the accident ENJOYS had been dis
patched to tie railroad shops to bring appliances
hf taking upa section of the road At this june
lure Il tail, brawny Englishman, in the dress of o
mechanic, forced his way through the throng, and,
ma cherry voice, marked fy the Derbyshire dialect
asked:
Ha' ye tried onfastenin' the Young leddvs
shoe"
len buttons few from as many buttonholes. In
IN 'Wlnklng of an eye the foot was free-Saa
fIgaciseo Chronicle.