The Irish standard., 1895-06-22
BRAVE YOUNG 6 III HERO !.
Captain John aulIowney, Tho irish
American Drummer Boy Of '5.5
Monmouth.
THE STORY READS LIKE a Howell.
Ran Away and Joined Washing toms
Army Whsn Only Eight
Years Old. 81;

timely married and Immediately embark
ed Tor America. They came to Philadel-
phia and the young man, whose name
was John Mullowney, invested his money
in few ships. With these he carried on
a lively trade between Philadelphia and
various foreign ports. He was very sue
cessful, and in a few years he accumu-
lated what was in those days considered
great wealth. =,
AS the years went on six children were
born, all Of whom died in their infancy.
But the seventh child, a son was very ro-
bust, and bid fair to reach manhood. AS
aather's name. The boy was somewhat
past eight years old when the American
revolution broke out, says the American
Historical Register. Mr.. Mulluwney at
once espoused che cause Of the patriots,
and endeavored to engraft the same prin-
cjples upon the mind of the youthful
John. About this time the father CON
fessor Of the fa1nily-rhey were devout
Cabholics-visited )lMr. lMublowney and
strongly urged the dedication Of John to
the priesthood and advised that his edu-
cation should commence Immediately.
On the same night, in the privacy of their
sleeping room, which adjoined their sons
the father and mather earnestly discuss
ed the priests proposal. The child,
whom they supposed sound asleep, lis
tened with bated breath to hear this de-
liberate disposal of his future With the
first ray of light came sudden impulse
to fee beyond the power of both priest
and parents.
He put his wild impulse into imme-
date action, and, dressing himself, he
stole noislessly away from his luxurious
nome, leaving it he thought forever.
With an intrephdity and perseverance
that seems incredible In one so young,
and through diff culties beneath which
many man might have succumbed, he
succeeded in passing the lines of the
enemy, for Philadelphia was then in the
hands of the British, and reached Wash
ington's army, then encamped near Ger
n1antown. Family tradition declares
that he arrived at his destination with
bleeding feet and ragged clothes, thor
olghly tired and hungry little object. Yet
he stontly mainta ned that he wanted to
share soldiers life, adding that he knew
how to drum" So a drummer boy he
became, but not as John Mullowney, for
the child, with "a wisdom beyond his
years, gave an assumed name and thus,
In his opinion, cut off the last link to his
old life.
The frantic parents, Of course, began
at once a thorough search Of the city and
its suburbs, offering large rewards for his
discovery; but no one thought Of looking
In Washington's a.my. Thus, through
the long and severe winter that followed,
the child was at Valley Forge. not more
than 40 miles from his beautiful home.
sharing the Ideprivations and hardships
OF the heroic patriots. 1t is a family ira
dition that he often awoke in the morn
ing completely covered with snow, save
the opening tunneled by his warm
breath. Yet when his sufferings were
go great that the impulse to return to his
nome was almost unquenchable, the
thought of the priests life ito which he
was doomed held him fast in his self-im-
posed exile.
During the following summer came the
battle Of Monmouth, and, still numbered
with Washington's army. thither arrived
John and his drum. At a certain point
In this holly contested battle a squad of
infantry was ordered to hold certain de-
sirable point upon which the enemy was
marching. John accompanied his de-
tachment. The redcoats charged furi-
ously, and the Americans retreated in
hot haste, whereupon the boy seized his
drumstdcks and pounded out yankee
Doodle with SO much spirit and force
that the waning courage of the soldiers
revived and they returned to the charge,
forced the British to retreat, and held the
desired position through the remainder Of
tho battle. John was much commended
by both soldiers and officers for his Bray
cry and energy
1t was but a few weeks after this that
'"hn's father heard in some chance way
That q boy answering the description of
their lost son was with the American
army. A rrusted messenger was imnle-
diately sent to investigate the matter.
OF course he found no John Mullowney on
the official register; but when the little
drummer boy, the smallest in the corps,
was brought to him, he felt sure that he
wassthe one whom he sought He whis-
pered to the officer to remove the little
fellows coat and shirt This was prompt
~ done, and there on his right shoulder,
was the birth mark described in the na-
per shown by the messenger. Further
conceamlent wtas now useless, and the
child admitted that he was John MunoW j
ney but begged that he might be allowed
to remain. The officers, it is said. added
their petitions to his. commencing the
boy IN the highest terms, and the result
was that the messenger returned without
him
Parental consent was afterwards re-
luctantly given, and john Mullowney~re-
manned with the army until the war clos
ed. On his return home he was educated
dor the havy, as his father wisely CON
Guided that he was better fitted for fight
lrs than hearing confessions. He rose TO
the rank OF captain, and during the .spip-
ing times OF peace" that INTERVIEWED be-
tween the revolution and the war OF 1872,
he did distinguished service in the cap
tIre OF private and slave ships. Many of
the poor negroes taken in the latter were
by him placed in good homes in Philadel-
phia and other towns, and became re-
spectacle citizens
Somewhere about 1910 he yielded to
\the solicitations of his family, and re-
tired from the navy, thus, to his great
regret, losing the chance Of engaging
ssain in the war with Great Britain On
his retirement from the navy he dealt
in real estate, and accumulated thereby
much wealth. He at one time owned a
large share Of the city of Philadelphia
much land in Montgomery county, Pa,
and also several hundred acres of the
valuable coalflelds at Pottsyille, Schuyl-
kill county, Pa. Ell
5eEotW han Mnnroo4 VIC e N nd a ,,r1e3;r3n