The Monitor-register., 1897-10-29
A Boy Patriot of Illinois.
BY AMMAN ROBINSON WATSON.

In the Fifty.eighth Illinois Infantry
there was a little drummer boy only
twelve years old. Just how he got there
no one seemed to know, for boys under
eighteen were not received. Possibly be
ran away from home. Joined the troops,
and was allowed to remain. However,
ne soon became very popular and was
the pet of the entire command. He sang
and danced, and furnished amusement ON
many q dark day when hearts were heavy
n the trials of camp life bard to bear,
The Illinois troops had faced the fight
on many fields before that fatal day
dawned which made Shiloh memorable
both to Federals and Confederates. But
on that beautiful Sabbath day, April 6,
1862, they were to take part in the hard
est fight of the whole war.
The assaults of the Confederates we're
met by the Union men over and over
again with stubborn valor. But over
and over again like a resistless hurricane
the C~onfederates swept forward. The
Flfty-eighth Illinois was fighting In the
hottest of the fray; rank after rank was
broken and the men were falling on every
side, hen the little drummer boy
pressed forward with a detachment Of his
company. Noise, confusion and blood
shed reigned before and behind, Every
where, on all sides, could be heard the
roar of the cannon, the groans of the
dying, and the shouts of commanders.
But undaunted by the fearful scene the
little fellow beat his drum, keeping up
with the men and cheering them as best
he could. Suddenly a man at his side
fell and the gun dropped from his nerve
less hand. The little drummer bow
gazed at the dead soldier just a moment,
then gave a loud hurrah.
81 must fill the gap p' he cried.
Throwing his drum as far as he could
send it toward the enemy, he caught up
the gun of his fallen comrade, loaded
n fired, reloaded and fred, advanced
retrested, as if he had been the tall
est and strongest soldier of them all.
The Fifty-eighth Illinois did brave
work on this bloody field, and before
very long their valiant little drummer
was wounded. He was facing the foe
and was struck In the chin.
Later in the day he was captured, and
with the other wounded was sent to
Montgomery, Ala. He did not know
that the tide of the battle was to turn,
that General Buell. would arrive with
achievements on Monday morning. and
that the Federals were to be victors at
Shiloh.
10 Montgomery the wounded men were
sheltered In a large chair factory, and
here the little drummer soon become the
pet of the establishment
One day a Confederate colonel CHANGED
to see him, where In real child fashion he
was amusing himself. He had found
Two old wheels of a wagon, bad fastened
a piece Of stovepipe between them, and
was playing that it was a cannon.
OOo O SIoAt laDCy TO Inc
little prisoner and again and again. to
test him, insisted that he should take the
oath of allegiance and join the Southern
forces.
I'VE will give you a good place." be
said, "And we will promote you right
along"
But the colonel was met always by the
same quick and Indignant response:
mo. sir ! no, sir ! 1 can't betray nv
country ! l can't desert my country |!
fight under the stars and stripes /! Pm
a Union man, l am !"
Here was a little hero indeed. No
bearded man could have given a more
patriotic ansWe r.
The Federal officer who gave these
facts, Colonel E~dgington, of Memphis,
Tenn, could not recall the name of the
brave little Union soldier, but stated the
opinion that he was still living some
where in the West. 1t would be very
interesting to hear from him Little Hen
and Women