Alias: "The Drummer Boy of Chickamauga"
Allegiance: USA
Rank: Private
Age: 9
State of Origin: Michigan
Command: 22nd Michigan Infantry, 1st Brigade, 1st Division, Reserve Corps, Army of the Cumberland
Biography:
At the age of only nine years old, John Clem ran away from his hometown to enlist in the Union Army. With both his parents now deceased, the orphan had nowhere else to go. He was reluctantly allowed to tag along with the 22nd Michigan Infantry. Too small and weak to fight, he was instead given the title Musician and Lance Sergeant. The young Clem was essentially the 22nd's drummer and unofficial mascot. His charm and charisma eventually won over the hardened soldiers; pulling their money together so Clem could have a fair wage of $13.
John Clem's raise to fame came in 1863 at the Battle of Chickamauga, a battle that would ultimately lead to a Confederate defeat over the Union army. During the chaos of war, Clem was sent to the front line of artillery. He was even given a custom musket that was shortened for his size. At some point in the retreat of the Union soldiers, Clem was allegedly cornered by a rebel Colonel. Although the authenticity of this event is hard to determine 100%. Many scholars believe that nine year old Clem shot the Confederate Colonel in the head; after refusing to surrender himself.
After the battle, Clem was promoted to sergeant, which not only made him the youngest soldier to ever become a non-commissioned officer, but may also indicate the legitimacy of Clem's supposed slaying of the enemy Colonel. Although John Clem would stay in the army until his retirement in 1915 as a General, his heroism as a boy would be the defining character of him as a man. A nine year old orphan with nothing left to lose but his life, he was willing to give it up for his country.
Author: Adam Gilbert, April 13, 2015
Further Reading:
http://www.gilderlehrman.org/collections/c40713a3-2981-4692-9fb6-856135141516?back=/mweb/search%3Fneedle%3Dchickamauga
Richmond Enquirer: October 9th, 1863. The Battle of Chickamauga http://www.accessible-archives.com/2011/09/the-battle-of-chickamauga/
Allegiance: USA
Rank: Private
Age: 9
State of Origin: Michigan
Command: 22nd Michigan Infantry, 1st Brigade, 1st Division, Reserve Corps, Army of the Cumberland
Biography:
At the age of only nine years old, John Clem ran away from his hometown to enlist in the Union Army. With both his parents now deceased, the orphan had nowhere else to go. He was reluctantly allowed to tag along with the 22nd Michigan Infantry. Too small and weak to fight, he was instead given the title Musician and Lance Sergeant. The young Clem was essentially the 22nd's drummer and unofficial mascot. His charm and charisma eventually won over the hardened soldiers; pulling their money together so Clem could have a fair wage of $13.
John Clem's raise to fame came in 1863 at the Battle of Chickamauga, a battle that would ultimately lead to a Confederate defeat over the Union army. During the chaos of war, Clem was sent to the front line of artillery. He was even given a custom musket that was shortened for his size. At some point in the retreat of the Union soldiers, Clem was allegedly cornered by a rebel Colonel. Although the authenticity of this event is hard to determine 100%. Many scholars believe that nine year old Clem shot the Confederate Colonel in the head; after refusing to surrender himself.
After the battle, Clem was promoted to sergeant, which not only made him the youngest soldier to ever become a non-commissioned officer, but may also indicate the legitimacy of Clem's supposed slaying of the enemy Colonel. Although John Clem would stay in the army until his retirement in 1915 as a General, his heroism as a boy would be the defining character of him as a man. A nine year old orphan with nothing left to lose but his life, he was willing to give it up for his country.
Author: Adam Gilbert, April 13, 2015
Further Reading:
http://www.gilderlehrman.org/collections/c40713a3-2981-4692-9fb6-856135141516?back=/mweb/search%3Fneedle%3Dchickamauga
Richmond Enquirer: October 9th, 1863. The Battle of Chickamauga http://www.accessible-archives.com/2011/09/the-battle-of-chickamauga/
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