The state herald., 1918-05-24

~ HE FACT that the drnft law undef
which the United States is now rails
ing Its armies placed the minimum
age Of men to be included in the
2M draft ut twenty-one years has called
attention to the extreme youth of the
men who made up the forces that
N fought and won the Civil war.
1t may truthfuly be said that the
war was won by an army Of school,
boys The younger generation probably is not
aware Of the fact that nearly million of those
Who carried muskets on behalf of the Federal cause
were less than sixteen years Of age when they en-
listed. Statistics show that there were exactly
044 .80l boys under that age In the Federal army
There were 1.151. .43S under eighteen years of age
and Of the total enstments Of 277S,S0o there were
2150.70S under twenty-one years Of age.
Not only were the great majority OF prvates less
than twenty-one years Of age but the records show
that companies regiments and brigades were com
manded literally by schoolboys At the close OF
the war; It is said. It 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 on record He was
born In Newark, o.. August Is. 1851. He was not
quite ten years old when he entered the volunteer
service as drummer at the beginning Of the war.
Two years later. when he was still not quite twelve
years old. he was regularly enlisted ahiptook his
place in the ranks. He was made q sergeant for
and served until the close Of the He returned
to school when the war ended and graduated from
the Newark high school. In 1871 he was appoint.
ed second lieutenant In the regular army and
mained In the regular service until 1915. when he
was retired with the rank Of brigadler general.
| Among the heroes who were awarded the con-
greaiona medal Of honor for valor shown upon the
held Of battle there were many who were mere
children. veteran officer of the Federal army.
writing In 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 was born May II, 1s49.
He enlisted musician at the beginning Of the
war and the official statement Of the action for
which he gained his congress medal reads:
| "'At Atlanta Ca. July %. 1854. being orderly to
the brigade commander. he voluntarily led two
regiments re-enforccments into line Of battle.
where he had his horse shot from under him.
"He enlisted August O. 1862, at the nge Of twelve
years, two months and twenty-four days. In the
One Hundred Twenty-seventh Illinois Volunteer
infantry. and was made orderly to the colonel OF
the regiment In January 1854. he was made
derly to Gen. j. A. J. Lightburn. md participated
In several hnrd-fought battles. In the army he
known ms Bob When he performed the wonder
full feat that gnined him the medal he was only
fifteen years old. The circumstances under which
young Murphy led two regiments into battle were
| a. follows:
.aThe division In which General Lightburn com.
mnnded wns that dny on the extreme right Of the
army. which was being annked by the enemy.
Young Murphy was sent to the right by his general
to Hnd out the situation. md finding that the enc
my had Hanled the right wing md was 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 re-enforce-
ments, telling him they cutting our right all
70 pieces. The general replied: I have ordered
re-enforcements from the left. and here they come
now. and n you know where they are needed. Bob.
show them In And that IL 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 one Of his agc as soon found out. I could
depend on him under any circumstances that might
arise
"And here In another very little chnp who gained
his medal. Orion p. Howe. born December 20. 184s.
He enlisted enry In the war and was wounded at
vicksburg and three times nj Dallas, On. His rec.
ord In n brilliant one. and General Sherman tells
the story In n letter Of August 8. 1863:
Headquarters Fifteenth Army Corps. Camp on
Black River. August 9, 1863.
" Hon. H. Stanton. Secretary OF War.
"'sir: I take the liberty Of asking through you.
TINT something be done for Ind named Orion r.
Howe OF wnukegan. H.. who belongs to tho Fifty.
NTH Illinois, but Mt present is home wounded. !
think no is too young for West Point. but would b.
the very thing for midshpmnn When the
sauit nj vicksburg WINS ut It's height. the 10th OF
Mny. md was In front ncnr the rond. which
formed my line Of atinck this young Ind cnmc up
TO me. wounded md bleeding. with good healthy
boys cry. "Gcnernl Shcrinnn send some cartridges
to Colonel Malmburg: the men are ncnrly NIL out"
"wInts the mntter my boyf "rhey shot me IN
the leg sr. but cnn 20 to the hospital. Send the