The Elbert County tribune. [volume] (Elbert, Elbert County, Colo.) 18??-1920, 1918-05-24

@ 1t may truthfully be said that the
war by army of school
boys. The younger generation probably is not
aware of the fact that nearly a million of those
who carried muskets behalf of the Federal cause
were less than sixteen years of age when they en-
listed. Statistics show that there were exactly
B44. S91 boys under shat age In the Federal army
There were 1.151.43s under eighteen years of age.
and of the total enstments of 2.77S309 there were
2.159.79S under twenty-one years of age.
Not only the great majority of priyates less
than twentyone years of age, but the records show
that companies regiments and brgades were COM
manded literally by schoolboys. AT the close of
the war, 1t is said. 1T was the exception to find
brigade or division commander who was more than
thirty years old
Brig Gen. John L. Glen is generally credited
with being the youngest soldier record. He
born in Newark, o.. August Is, 1851. He was not
quite ten years old when he entered the volunteer
service drummer ut the beginning of the war.
Two years later when he was still not quite twelve
years old, he regularly enlisted and took his
place in the ranks. He was made sergeant for
bravery displayed In the battle of Chickamauga
and served until the close of the war He returned
to school when the war ended and graduated from
the Newark high school. In 1871 he appoint
ed second lieutenant In the regular army and re-
manned In the regular service until 1915, when he
was retired with the rank of brigadier general.
Among the heroes who were awarded the con-
gresional medal of honor for valor shown upon the
Geld of battle there were many who were mere
children. veteran officer of the Federal army,
writing the Philadelphia Public Ledger recalled
some interesting history connected with some OF
these youthful heroes. The writer gave the follow
ing account of some of these unusual cases:
Robinson B. Murphy born May IL, 1849.
He enlisted musician at the beginning of the
and the official statement of the action for
which he gained his congress medal reads:
a. AT Atlanta. Ca July %. 1864. being orderly to
the brigade commander. he voluntarily led two
regiments re-enforcements into line of battle.
where he had his horse shot from under him.
HE enlisted August g. 1862. at the age of twelve
years. two months and twentyfour days. in the
One Hundred Twenty-seventh Illinois Volunteer
Infantry, and was made orderly to the colonel of
the regiment. In January. 1864 he was made or
derby to Gen. ]. A. J. Lightburn. and participated
In several hard-fought battles. In the army he was
known as Bob When he performed the wonder
full feat that gained him the medal he was only
fifteen years old. The circumstances under which
young Murphy led two regiments into battle We're
rs follows:
manded that day on the extreme right of the
army, which being thanked by the enemy.
Young Murphy was sent to the right by his general
to find out the situation and finding that the
my had nanked the right wing and driving
them he rode on his pony down the line and met
General Logan, who commanded that day, and
begged him with tears in his eyes for reinforce
ments. telling him they were cutting our right all
to pieces. The general replied: 4 have ordered
re-enforcements from the left, and here they come
now. and If you know where they are needed. Bob.
show them in And that is how he came to lead
the two regiments that day. General Lightburn
wrote regarding Bob that he was not only brave
and faithful. but displayed remarkable Judgment
for of his age, as soon found out 1 could
depend on him under any circumstances that might
arise
"And here is another very little chap who gained
his medal. Orion p. Howe born December 90 1S4S.
He enlisted early In the and was wounded at
Vicksburg and three times at Dallas. Ga. His rec
ord Is brilliant one. and General Sherman tells
the story in letter of August s, 1868:
Headquarters Fifteenth Army Corps. Camp on
Black River. August s, 1868.
Hon. e. Stanton, Secretary of War.
"'Sir: / take the liberty of asking through you,
that something be done for lad named Orion p.
Howe OF Waukegan. H.. who belongs to the Fifty
fifth Illinois, but at present is home wounded.
think he istoo young for West Point, but would be
the very thing for midshpman. When the as
sault at Vicksburg ut Its height, the 10Th of
May, and was in front near the road. which
formed my line of attack this young lad came up
to me, wounded and bleeding, with good, healthy
boys cry General Sherman send some cartridges
to Colonel Malmburg; the men are nearly all out"
ssWhat's the matter. my boy?' "They shot me In
the Leg sir. but go to the hospital Send the