The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-01-07
LITTLE DRUMMER's LAST CALL.
A story of "a Youthful Hero and an
UnseIfsh Enemy.
From the New York Tribune.

From the New York Tribune.
A pathetic story Of the civil war was
related by the corporal of an Illinois regi-
ment, who was captured by the confeder-
ates at the battle of Wilson's creek, and
is repeated In ''Women of the War"
The day before this regiment was order
ed by Gen. Lyons TO march toward Spring
field, the drummer of the company fell i'll.
There was no one to take his place, and
while the captain was wondering how he
should supply the lack a pale, sorrow
stricken woman appeared at his tent door,
begging an interview. She brought with
her a little boy of Il or 10 years. whom she
wished to place In the regiment as drum
mer-boy.
Captain" she said, after the boy had
been accepted, "he won't be in much dam
ger will her"
mo. / think not" replied the officer.
1--WE shall be disbanded in few weeks, I
am confident"
The new drummer soon became favor
ite and there was never feast Of fruit
or other hardly procured dainties that Ed
die did not get his share first. The sol
diers were stirred by the child's enthusi-
astic devotion, and declared that his drum
ming was different from that of all the
other drummers In the armyl
After the engagement at Wilson's Creek,
where the federals were defeated, CorpL
B., who had been thrown from his
horse, found himself lying concealed from
view near a ciump of trees. AS he lay
there with his ear to the ground, he heard
the sound of a drum distinct but rather
faint. In a moment he recognized the
stroke of Eddie, the boy drummer and
hastened toward the spot whence the
sound proceeded. In a clump of bushes,
propped against a tree, he found the boy.
His drum was hanging from shrub with
IN reach, and his face was deadly pale.
''Oh, corporal" said he, 81 am so glad
you came! Won't you give me drink of
water pleasev'
The corporal ran to a little stream close
by, and brought the child a draught. Just
az this moment there came an order for
the retreat, and the corporal turned to go.
Don't leave me-" said the little drum
mer, II can't walk. See!" and he pointed
10 his feet
The corporal saw with horror that both
feet had been shot off by cannon ball.
He said the doctors could cure them,''
continued the boy, pointing TO the dead
body Of confederate soldier who lay be-
side him. He was shot all to pieces. but
he crawled over here and--tied-my legs
up-so they--would-wouldn' bleed soln
And Eddie closed his eyes YEARLY.
The corporals eyes were blinded by
mist of tears as he looked down. The
confederate soldier. shot to death, and in
the agonies of the last struggle, had man
aged TO take off his suspenders and bind
| the boys legs above the kneesl
AS the corporal Bent down TO raise the
child, body of confederate troops came
UP and ne was a prisoner. With a sob in
his voice, he told the story, and the south
ern soldier tenderly lifted the wounded
drummer on TO his own horse swinging
the drum before him. When the little
cayaleade reached camp Eddie was dead
put the little drunlmers last call had
aroused the noblest feeling in the heart
or ono who was his Zoe. one whose last
act was an effort to save and comfort the
boy-enemy. who was faithful 70 his duty.