The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-03-05
YOUNGEST DRUMMER BOY.
Daniel Williams Holds the Record for
the United States.


Washington. March 5.-Authentic
records show that Daniel Williams
holds the honor of being the youngest
drummer boy who ever enlisted in
any war of the United States.
The army regulations require that a
drummer boy be IA years old, but the
records of the birth and enlistment of
Mr.. Williams show that he was IL
years months and 16 days old when
he went into the Civil war volunteers
at Beverly. N. J., September 1. 1862.
liams exclusively for this paper and
others in the North American Press
Syndicate, he gives very interesting
description of his active service during
the war.
These statements are the first Mr.
Williams has given to the world for
publication.
When the great war for the Union
broke out Daniel Williams was resid-
ing with his parents in the little old
Quaker town of Burlington N J.. 18
miles north Of Philadelphia on the
beautiful banks of the Delaware river.
The mother of this 11-year- lad,
fearing that the excitement caused by
the numerous outbreaks then existing,
might lead to her child running off
and following the army. sought out a
farmer by the name of Robert Wood,
who owned a large farm between Bur-
II
miles out of town, for the purpose of
binding him over until he reached the
age of 81.
The farmer, Wood, agreed to take
the lad and before the, moon lost an
other slice of it's brilliancy the Will
liams boy was under, the eagle eye"
of the Jersey farmer, carefully guard
ed from every section of the Wood
homes ead.
The lad thought of his "home.
homo h
boy chums, his music instructor and
lots of other pastime pleasure. His
new acquaintance were nice to him;
they would do all in their power to
the boy had a good home, plenty to
eat and a good bed to sleep in, farm
ing life did not agree with the lads
calling. AT the sound of whistle or
the slightest tone of excitement lead
ing up to wartime talk, Williams ears
were wide open, catching almost every
word going on.
Newspapers and every matter per-
tanning to the war were absolutely
kept from his reach. At no time were
the hired men to discuss the situation
in his presence. The daily trips to
Burlington or to Florence, or even to
his nearby neighbor, were carefully
guarded. and they saw that the little
fellow was at the barn or doing some
chores for the old homestead
Early In the morning of September
1, 1862, the Murphy brothers. who
occupied the same room, were quietly
discussing in a low breath, the DUES,
ton of enlistment in some New Jer-
sey regiment. The little lad. who had
not been asleep, awaited further de-
velOpments
The Murphy brothers moved out
cautiously from the room, carrying
their shoes upon their arms, fearing
the least noise might awaken him.
Had they the least idea the boy drum
mer was taking in the situation, the
results might have been different The
Murphys gone, people all asleep, the
little fellow murmured: st is time to
be going" and within less than half
an hour after the Murphys had left,
the little 11-year-old drummer boy
was among the missing, not even the
sound of dogs bark was heard. Even
the ghost must have fallen asleep; at
any rate the Williams chap babe his
old friend Wood farewell. and before
folks. he was at Beverly. full f1edged
drummer of Company I, Twenty
fourth New Jersey volunteers. enlist
ing on the same day on which he left
the haunted farm, September /, 1861,
at the age of IL years 5 months and
16 days.
On September Is the Twenty-fourth
regiment was mustered into the United
States service, and on the 28th the
regiment, with its 11-year-old drum
embarked on the old side-wheel
steamer City of Burlington, which was
in waiting to transport them down the
Delaware. By noon the old historic
steamer pulled in at Front and Wash
ington streets. The regiment, escorted
by the patriotic ladies of Philadelphia
proceeded to the Cooper Union retreat
and were handsomely entertained.
after which the Twenty-fourth march
ed out Washington avenue, with its
11-year-old drummer boy beating his
drum for the first time. away from his
home, until the cars were reached at
Broad and Washington avenues
The following day the gath arrived
at the national capital and went into
camp on East Capitol hill. near where
is located Lincoln park today.
This position remained unchanged
until the first day of December. when
ordered to join Burnside's army, who |
was preparing for an assault on Fred |
ericksburg. The march from Fort |
Ethan Allen through Maryland down |
to Liverpool Point covered at least !
some so miles. The condition for march |
ing was almost impossible Rain and
sleet had set in, and made 1t unbearable |
for the men to get through.
On December IL the 24th moved out |
from its temporary camp and halted In