Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1902-08-23
Civil War Boy Heroes.

While it is known that youthful he
rOes were not rare during the Civil
War, il is not generally realized, per-
haps, at what very tender ages boys
We're actually allowed 10 join the army
Johnny Glenn, the drummer hey or
Chickamauga, offered his services TO
the Third Ohio Regiment when he was
but 10 years old. but was rejected be-
cause of his youth, Johnny installed
on the train which bore the
regiment to the front and on its arriy-
al in Cincinnati repeated his offer to
the Twenty-third Michigan. His per-
sistency was at last rewarded and he
subsequently became enrolled as n
drummer hoy. He conducted himself
c0nrageously at the battle of Pitts
burg Landing, but II was at Chicka-
manga that he performed the act of
Valor that crowned him as a hero. At
the close of that memorable day the
Union Army fell back to Chattanooga,
the brigade 10 which Johnny belonged
being left behind to guard the position.
1t was soon surrounded by the troops
in gray, and n colonel on horseback
dashed forward and ordered the little
fellow to surrender. Instead of obey
ing the boy raised his musket and.
as the colonel bore down upon ham.
sword in hand fired. and the officer
fell dead from his horse. A fierce on
slaught followed. Three balls pierced
Johnny's cap on that day. He lay as IL
dead, and not until the Confederates
had ceased firing and night had fallen
did he venture forth, making his way
to the Union headquarters at Chatta-
nooga. He was then created ser.
geant by General Rosecrans.
After this he figured in other battles
and received recognition from General
Grant and the Secretary OF War the
latter of whom appointed him profess
scr military science and tactics AT
Galesburg University. He was created
major and quartermaster in 1898, and
stationed at Atlanta, Ga.
Some years ago the Wisconsin Leg
islature awarded a medal to John Il.
Francisco as the youngest real soldier
of the Union army during the war
Young Francisco was not n drummer
boy. hut carried a musket from the
time OF his enlistment until mustered
out. During the first three years OF
the war Francisco was too young to be
accepted as a soldier. but in 1864. nj
the age of II. he had attained a stature
and developed a physique that pro.
voked the envy Of boys several years
his senior. Farm life became unbear
able to him and he yearned 10 60 to
the war. He made several attempts
to do so and was finally accepted
though the surgeon expressed his
doubts of the boys ability to success
fully Withstand the hardshlps of a sol
diers life, whereupon John promptly
offered to satisfy them as to his sol
dierly qualities by whipping the ser
geant or any other officer present.
On his enrolment the captain. think
ing TO relieve him of many trials ant
hardships, offered to attach John I,
himself as his servant, an offer which
made in all kindness, was holly resent
ed, and thereafter the boy was allowed
to assume the duties of n regular sol
der.
There are other youngest soldiers of
the war" Gilbert Van Zandt. better
known as Little Glib" enlisted Mt the
age OF 10 years and months with
the Seventy-ninth Ohio Volunteer In.
fantry. He soon became the pet of
his regiment and was in all the en-,
gacements that occurred during Shcr.
mans famous march to the sea
AT Milledgeville, Ga. pony was
captured. and by the generals orders
It was turned over to Little 9Th. "
Mounted on this pony he acted as ore
of the generals orderles. When the
pony was contiscated on the muster
out In Washington in June. 1865. GIL.
bert who was then only 10 years and
months old, went to President John
son and asked permission to take the
pony home with him (Which would
you rather have. the pony or an off
GERS commission" asked the presi
dent. THE pony" promptly replied
the boy, true 10 his equine friend, and
so the pony was given him and taken
Ia his ohio home.