John Clem was barely four feet tall when he joined the Union Army during the Civil War
Posted on 08/27/2024 8:42:32 AM PDT by COBOL2Java
When a Confederate colonel called John Clem a "damned little Yankee devil" and demanded his surrender at the Battle of Chickamauga, John shot him — and became the youngest noncommissioned officer in U.S. Army history
John Clem was barely four feet tall when he joined the Union Army during the Civil War
In May 1861, U.S. President Abraham Lincoln sent out a national call for volunteers to fight for the Union Army. Many eagerly rose to the occasion, including one unlikely soldier: a nine-year-old boy named John Clem.
Standing at just four feet tall, Clem first tried to volunteer for the 3rd Ohio Infantry Regiment, but he was turned away due to his age. He then pestered the 22nd Michigan Infantry Regiment until they agreed to make him the unit’s unofficial drummer boy. And before long, Clem began making a name for himself.
This is the story of John Clem, the young Civil War soldier known as the “Drummer Boy of Chickamauga.”
(Excerpt) Read more at allthatsinteresting.com ...
It’s odd how the article never mentioned his father.
Bkmk
Found this in Wikipedia:
Born with the surname Klem in Newark, Ohio, on August 13, 1851, the son of Roman and Magdalene Klem. He is said to have run away from home at age 9 in May 1861, after the death of his mother in a train accident, to become a Union Army drummer boy.
On a related note, below is the story of Calvin Graham. He lied about his age, and joined the Navy during WW2. He was 12.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calvin_Graham
Just damn.
Great story. Went back to school, finished High School, was nominated to West point, failed the entrance exam, direct commission from President Grant to 2nd Lt, Retired 44 years later as a Major General.
Rose to the career rank of major general.
That was a good story to read early in the day and for the first time. I’ve learned a little more history surrounding the people who fought in the Civil War.
As a small child, John Clem had already grieved for his mother, who had died in a train accident. Not much other info is given about the accident, but apparently, at some point, John decided that the Soldiers were to be his new family, his forever family, if you will. His sublimation of grief.
Bookmark
Yes. And not a ring knocker. Never happen today. The WP/VMI cult has closed ranks. Competence not required to reach Flag rank. Just be a member of the Old Boys Club or a DEI hire. A Kabul disaster or the loss of Vietnam not a hindrance to promotion.
This would make an awesome movie!......................
“The Red Badger of Courage“
My maternal grandmother’s uncle was killed at the battle of Chickamauga fighting in the Ohio 31st Volunteer Infantry. I have a copy of a letter written to his father by a fellow soldier saying they had to “fall back and regroup” and he was missing.
I LOVE this! Set me off to do more research. Spent all day on it.
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