Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1900-05-30
YOUTHFUL HEROES.
Deeds of Boy soldiers who Fought 81
the civil War.


Yet It is not generally known at wha,
very tender age boys were actually
allowed to join The army.
Johnny Glenn, the drummer boy OF
Chicksmangs, was born In 1851. In 1861.
when he was ten years old, he offered his
services as drummer boy to the Third
Ohio regiment. He was rejected because
OF his youth. While the regiment was on
its way TO the trout Johnny installed
himself on tho train and on its arrival In
Cincinnati repeated his offer to the
Twenty-third Michigan. His pertinscity
was at last rewarded. He was enrolled as
drummer boy and later as a "markern.
At the battle OF PHtsburg Landing his
drum was smashed by shell, but 1t was
at Chickamauga that he performed the
act of valor which won him his sobriquet.
At the close of that memorable day the
Union army fell back TO Chattanooga, the
brigade to which Johnny belonged being
left behind to guard the position. Il was
soon surrounded by the troops In gray,
and a colonel on horseback dashed for
ward and ordered the little fellow to sur
render.
Instead of obeying the boy raised his
musket, and as the colonel bore down
upon him, sword In hand. fired, and the
officer fell dead from his horse. A fierce
onslaught followed. Three balls pierced
Johnny's cap on that day, Losing, the
historian, tells us. He lay as 10 dead, and
not until the Coniederates had ceased
firing aud night had fallen did he venture
forth, making bis way TO the Union head
quarters at Chattanooga. He WAS then
created sergeant by General Rosecrans.
On his return to the Union lines he
eat through other battles in which the
army uf the Cumberland was engaged.
; hsb he WAS mustered out In 1865, he
:" cnt to indianapolis to attend school.
General Grant made him a second lieu
/. naut OF the Twenty-feurth infantry In
1871, and in 1874 he was graduated from
Ct" artillery school at Fort Monroe aud
subsequently acted by he appointment
- The secretary OF war a. professor OF
J i.itary science and tactics Mt the Gales
I lrg university. lie was created major
aad quartermsster In 1875 ana stationed
1T Atlanta, where he became exceedingly
popular with his southern neighbors and
friends.
Some years ago the Wisconsin iegisla-
tnre awarded a medal to J. Il. Francisco,
OF Mason City. as the youngest real
soldier OF the Union army during the late
war. Such 1t may be said his friends in
Grand Army circles believe him 10 have
been. Young Francisco was not a drum
mer boy, but carried musket from his
enlistment TO his mastering out. He was
born Nov. Is, 1919. AT the breaking out
OF the war his three brothers enlisted aud
ent to the front.
During the first three years OF the war
Francisco WAS too young to be accepted
ns soldier, but in 1864 he had attained a
stature and developed physique which
were the envy of boys several years his
senior. He yearned To go to the war.
Life on the farm had become unbearable
So young Francisco ran away to Madison
only to be brought back by the consta BILE.
Defeated la the second attempt, the third
WAS successful, though the surgeon ex-
pressed his doubts OF the boys ability 10
Withstand the hardships Of
soldiers life, wbereupon John promptly
offered to satisfy them as to his soidierIy
qualities by whipping the surgeon or any
officer present.
On his enrolment the captain, thinking
to relieve him OF many trial. and hard
5 hips, offered to attach John TO him elf ss
his servant, an offer which, made In all
kindness, WAS hotiy resented. IL should
be mentioned that at the early age OF
fourteen young Francisco cast his first
vote for Abraham Lincoln in accordance
with that special act OF Congress by which
he franchise was extended to all enlisted
men.
Mr.. Francisco's career after his dis |
charge Is hardly less interesting than his |
war record. Straight from his army ex-
perience he went 10 work "a farm hand,
but in 1867 EN- barked IN the lumber busi- |
store in Mason City, Ia, which became |
one OF The largest in the state.
There are other youngest soldiers of |
he war;. Little Glib" is known far and |
vide in army circles. Gilbert Van Zandt, |
he weil-known cashier OF the Sherman
house in Chicago, enlisted Aug. 6, 1862,
With the Seventy ninth Ohio Volunteer
infantry. He was then aged ten years
md seven months. lie soon became the |
pet OF his regiment, ana was In all the
that occurred during Sner-
mans famous march to the sea. At
Nashville his colonel had small sw ord
made especially for him, and the gift was
accompanied by another from the mem
oers of his regiment in the shape of a
handsome drum and shield.
AT Miliedgeviiie, Ga, pony was cap
ured, and by the generals orders 1t was
urned over to Little Gib". Mounted on
his pony, he acted as one Of the generals
'rderlies. When the pony was confis-
'ated on the muster out in Washington
kn,. |