The Honolulu republican. [volume] (Honolulu, T.H.) 1900-1902, 1901-06-16

the distinction Of having been
the youngest soldier on the Union
side during our civil war. Among
these are young Johnny Glenn, the IA
nous drummer boy Of Chiksmaugz-
In 1851, xhen be vas ten years old.
he strove for admission to the Third
Ohio regiment He was rejected be
cause Of his youth While the regi
ment vas on as way TO the front John
NJ Installed himself on the train. and
when il arrived in Cincinnati offered
his services 20 the Twentythird Nj
chigsn. He was straightway enrolled
as a drummer boy.
Many we're the experiences through
which little Johnny Glen. nov Major
Glen. Of Atlanta. Ca. passed during
his experience as a drummer boy His
drum was smashed By a shell az Pitts
burg Landing. but II was at Chieka-
manga that he performed the deed OF
yalor which made him famous
The Union troops had fallen back
TO Chickamsuga, leaving a brigade be
hind 70 guard the position Johnny's
regiment was among the troops which
composed the brigade. They were sur
rounded by the Confederates. and a
colonel In gray uniform and on horse
hack dashed forward and commanded
the little fellow to surrender For an
swer Johnny seized the musket from
a fallen comrade and shot the colonel
from his horse
Losing. the historian. tells US that
three bullets pierced through Johnny's
cap that day: and all night long he lay
until the Confederates had passed by
Then he arose before Il was morning
and stole to the Union headquarters
at Chattanooga.
For this act OF gallantry Gen. Rose
Grams made him a sergeant Grant
honored him in 1871 bv making him
a second lieutenant He was gradu-
ated from the Artillery School. at
Fortress Monroe. in 1874. and sub
sequently. bv the appointment OF the
Secretary OF War. became military in
structor at the Galesburg University
In 1895 be was made major and quar-
termaster
But Il must be remembered that
Johnny was not a soldier but a drum
mer bow Gilbert Van Zandt known
as Little Glib" in army circles. was
another drummer bow. and at the age
OF ten enlisted in the Sevepty-ninth
Ohio volunteer infantry. He was in
all the engagements during Sherman's
famous march to the sea. At Nash
Vile his colonel had a small sword
made especially for him.
An interesting incident is told of
Young Van Zandt. At Milledgeville.
Ca. a pony was captured. and. by
the Generals orders. turned over to
Little Glib" When the troops were
mustered out young Van Zandt went
TO President Johnson and asked per
mission to retain his pony. Which
would YOU rather have. the pony or
on officers commission" asked the
president The pony. promptly res
pended the boy.
Ask any man in Mason City. Iowa.
who was the youngest soldier of the
civil war on the Union side. and he
viii tell YOU that il was J. L. Fran
sisco. OF that city The Wisconsin
Legislature settled II a few years
ago by granting him medal confer
ring that title upon the recipient.
There seems To be little doubt that
he really merits that distinction. for
he was not a drummer boy, but car
ried a musket from his first enlist
ment 10 his mastering out He was
born in lS49. and when he enlisted in
1854 he had three brothers at the
front He was tall and stalwart for
his years: life on the farm had hard
ened his muscles. and at thirteen he
was as strong as most men twice his
age. He was anxious TO enlist. and
ne ran away 70 Madison only 10 be
brought back by the constable. His
next attempt was more fortunate
When the surgeon expressed doubt
OF his abultv TO successfully with
stand the hardships of soldiers life,
Young Francisco promptly offered 20
prove his physical capacity by whip
ping the surgeon or any officer pres
ent At fourteen years of age Fran
sisco voted for Abraham Lincoln. in
accordance with that special act by
which the franchise was extended 70
enlisted men.
But there have been few contest
ants for the honor OF having been the
Youngest soldier in the Confederate
ranks That distinction is almost
universally conceded 10 rest with c. T
Robertson. now of bridgeport. Ala
Isaac T. Miller. now living. | believe
in Nilledgeville Ca. Is sometimes
spoken OF as the youngest Confeder
ate soldier. but he was really q yea
older than Robertson at the time q
enlistment. But the second place ma
safely be accorded TO Isaac Miller
both on account OF his youth and nj
great war record. which. IL not eoua
in point Of eventf0l interest TO tina
Of Robertson. is nevertheless remark
able.
Young Miller was q member O
the First Tennessee. was in twenty
one battles and was captured At Get
tvsburg in Pickett's famous charge
DR.. Y. = Abernethy. Of Hin City
Tenn. enlisted in the same regimen
when he was year Younger tina
Isaac Miller. being. az the time. onl
fifteen. He was not in active SCI
vice az anv time but served on dat
In hospital
Christenburg p Robertson was tn
same age as Ahernethy and one yea
Younger than Miller. when. on tn
call Of Georgia for volunteers. b
shoaldered his gun and marched swal
Not only was Robertson the youul
est Confederate soldier. but he /
probably the youngest man now III
ing on either side who saw four year
Of continuous fighting in that NJ
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