St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-04-29
DRUMMER BOY OF SHILOH.
Little "Jelinny Shiloh = His
Career as a Soldier.

Should any of my young readers happen to
visit certain western army they would
probably meet Captain John L. Glenn. He is
now about forty years of age, small in stat
ure, boyish looking and very modest in his
bearing, but he has probably had as wonder
full and exciting career as any young fellow
who ever answered the roll-call or wore the
shoulder-straps. He is known and talked of
by all old soldiers as Johnny Shiloh and
s'The Drummer Boy of Chickamauga.''
When the war broke out Johnny was slip
OF boy ten years old, but he at once made
up his mind to become soldier and go to the
war. La this he was strongly opposed by his
parents, but notwithstanding the fearful en-
treaties of his mother and the stern COM
mands of his father he secretly applied for
admission to the service as drummer boy.
The examining board to which he presented
his claim looked upon him with amusement
and surprise, and told him they could not ac-
cept so young and small boy. The would
be drummer was not dismayed at his poor
success, and soon. after boarded the train
which. was carrying the Third Regiment of
Ohio Volunteers to the seat of war. The Off
GERS of this command did not see that there
was the making of capital soldier in the lad
and Johnny soon learned to his sorrow that
he could not go with them. Still undaunted
he next applied to the Twenty-second Regi-
ment of Michigan Volunteers. Here he was
again refused admission as drummer on
account of his size and age: but the soldiers
were all struck with his pluck and daring.
and the good-natured colonel after listening
to his story told him that he might go with
the regiment to the front. And he did. Dur
ing the next year he remained with the regi-
ment as hanger-on, taking part in all the
drills and parades, participating in every en-
gagement and learning many virtues and
vices which can be acquired only on the bat
tlef1eld or in the camp. His wit, youth and
good nature made him a favorite with both
officers and men.
Just before the terrible battle of Shiloh lit
tie Johnny by some means obtained a drum
and went into the engagement as volunteer
drummer boy. On that day he won unfadine
laurels. Wherever the fight was thickest his
short legs carried him and there he could be
seen in front of the soldiers loudly beating
his drum. Cannons roared in front of him,
shells burst above, and the branches of trees
fell crashing around him, but he marched
bravely on. One shell broke so near him that
it broke his drum and spattered his face with
mud he was knocked down again and again;
still he did not retreat. When the fight was
over he became greater favorite than ever,
and in honor of his services was nick-named
ssJohnny Shiloh Those in command praised
him, and though he was but eleven years of
age he was given a suit of his country's blue
and regularly enrolled as drummer boy.
When he first went to the front, to carry
a drum at the head of the troops had been
the height of young Clients ambition. But he
was a true soldier, and now that he had won
the desired goal, longed for further advance
ment; he wanted to carry 6. gun and be adj
mitted to the ranks. A good-natured soldier
took a regulation army musket and filed it
off until it was short enough for the am
bilious drummer boy to load with ease. This
made Johnny as happy as a king, and shout
dering his prize he took part in all the drills
and exercises of his regiment. He was not
twelve years of age, and having been in the
battles of Shiloh, Nashville, Resaca, Kenesaw
Mountain, Stone River and Perryville began
to regard himself as veteran
Every one knows what bloody fight took
place at Chickanauga. Here General
Thomas met the rebels in overwhelming
numbers, and resisted them SO firmly that
ever after he was known as the Crock of
ChickamaHga.'' Here, toe, Johnny Shiloh
won greater fame and another name. He had
now thrown aside his drum, determined to
take part as a regular soldier. On the morn
ing Of the engagement he shouldered his gun,
and climbing on to the caisson of one of the
batteries, rode into the thickest of the fight.
When the battery halted he jumped from his
perch and sought out a place among the SOL
diers of his brigade. All day he fought as
bravely as the most valiant. Three times a
bullet pierced his cap, but he did not mind it
and kept on loading and firing His brigade
was in dangerous place all Gay, and during
the afternoon were forced to retreat. Johnny's
short legs could not carry him as fast as
those of his older companions, and he was in
great danger of being captured. At the head
of the pursuing rebels rode fierce looking
colonel who soon overlook the boy, and
swinging his sword above his head, de-
manded with an awful oath that he should
surrender Johnny had often said that he
would never be taken alive yet just row it
seemed to his flying comrades that he would
have TO take back his words. But the brave
young soldier thought otherwise. Down ne
went on his knees up came the musket, and
away went d bullet into the rebel co.onePs
heart. The dead body fell from the saddle
upon its doughty little antagonist, tumbing
him to the earth, Just as the trumpet again
sounded to charge, and over the PROSTATE
boy rushed calvary and infantry together
This saved Johnny from capture, ard per-
haps death, for while all his comrades were
killed or taken prisoner, he lay concealed IN
till nightfall and then made his way safely TO
camp. His reputation as a soldier was
now made. The day after the battle he was
called into the presence CT General Rosen-
Grams himself, warmly praised for wat he
had done. placed upon the roll of honor, ard
made a Sergeant. Had ne been ten years
older he would have been gwen d pair of
shoulder-straps to wear and made :. COM
msssioned officer.
Ten days after the battle of Ci,iekamauga
the dashing boy-sereeant was made -
oner by the rsbes wili!e Ee.pirS 90 Guar :;
train of provision w.a-e.,s. rwa
la-er he Y.sS sf.i...lle, ;...sf. -s-.th .