FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Drummer Boy Willie Johnston ~ May 6, 2013

Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !! | StarCMC

[Kathy in Alaska]

 

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Thank the Veterans who served
in The United States Armed Forces.

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---

~ Hall of Heroes ~

Drummer Boy Willie Johnston
Info from here and here.

           

William E. "Willie" Johnston, drummer boy of Company D, 3rd Vermont Infantry, has the distinction of being the youngest soldier to ever receive the Medal of Honor, presented to him at age 11 for gallantry on the battlefield in the Seven Day Battle Peninsula Campaign of 1862. Young Johnston is the subject of a book written, Mr. Lincoln's Drummer, written by G. Clifton Wisler.

In the Soldiers' Record of the town of St. Johnsonbury, Vermont, it is written:

Born in Warrentown, St. Lawrence County, N. Y. Son of William Johnson, member of Company B, 3d Regiment. Resided with his father in St. Johnsbury when he enlisted. Age twelve years. Enlisted in Company D, 3d Regiment, May 1, 1862. Mustered into United States service same day. Drummer. Re-enlisted at Brandy Station, Va., February 15, 1864. Transferred to Company H, February 15, 1864, and thence, as Drum Major, of 20th Regiment of Veteran Reserve Corps. Mustered out of service December 30, 1864.

Willie was with the 3d Regiment in the tedious and hazardous conflicts of the seven days campaign in the Peninsula, and received from the Secretary of War a star medal for heroic conduct during this time. This conduct was meritorious beyond that of other drummers, in so much as he retained his drum and brought it off on the retreat, while they, to lessen their burdens, threw theirs away. Upon reaching Harrison's Landing Willie's was the only drum to be found for use at the division parade.

 

William "Willie" Johnston (born July 1850), from St. Johnsbury, Vermont, was a drummer boy in Company D of the 3rd Vermont Infantry. His service during the Seven Days retreat in the Peninsula Campaign was exemplary. He was the only drummer in his division to come away with his instrument, by no means a trivial accomplishment. As a result, he received the Medal of Honor on the recommendation of his division commander, thereby becoming the youngest recipient of the highest decoration at 13 years of age.

Johnston was born in Morristown, New York in 1850. Apparently his family moved to Salem, Vermont (now Derby). When his father enlisted in December, 1861, young Willie begged to go with him. The commanding officer agreed. He was enlisted as a drummer boy on December 11, 1861 in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. He was 11 years old and five feet tall.

Johnston's first fight was at Lee's Mill, Virginia, on April 16, 1862.

During his next campaign, the Seven Days Battles from June 25 to July 1, 1862, Johnston was cited for bravery.

During that retreat many men threw away all their equipment so they would have less weight to carry. Johnston, however, retained his drum and brought it safely to Harrison's Landing. There, he had the honor of drumming for the division parade, he being the only drummer boy to bring his instrument off the battlefields. Johnston's division commander noted this fact and included them in his report. President Lincoln heard the story and wrote Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton, suggesting the youth be given a medal. Stanton agreed, and Willie Johnston was presented his Medal of Honor September 16, 1863, at the age of 13, for a deed performed when he was but 11 years of age.

This was the second Medal of Honor ever awarded. Secretary Stanton presented the actual award.

There is no Medal of Honor Citation as the date and place of act are not on record in War Department. Until the establishment of the Medal of Honor there was only one medal a soldier could receive: a Purple Heart. However, since the Purple Heart had not been awarded since the Revolutionary War, and would not be used again until World War I, the Medal of Honor was effectively the only award available to U.S. military personnel at the time of the Civil War.

Please remember the Canteen is here to honor, support and entertain our troops and their families.  This is a politics-free zone!  Thanks for helping us in our mission! 

[SandRat]

((((hugs))))...Luv.

[Kathy in Alaska]

And in first....Mac grabs the gold!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

And in second....BulletBob snags the silver!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

And rounding out the top three....yarddog bags the bronze!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, yarddog...he really did treasure that drum.

Thanks for the added history.

[yarddog]

Thank You.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Mac, for the Missing Man Setting as we remember those who have given their all that we may gather safe and secure.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, ML...((HUGS))...did you get some rest today? Ready to take on the new week?

How is Mom doing? You and Linda get to a doggie park?

[ConorMacNessa]

Your quite welcome, of course, Kathy!

I worked with my son Daniel out in the garden this afternoon - spent a lot of time standing up and had to lean over a lot pulling weeds, etc. We got everything planted - Daniel is a relentless task-master. Needless to say, I am sore up and down my back - but the major push is over. Now we just have to water, fertilize and try to stay ahead of the weeds!



"Riamh nár dhruid ó sbairn lann!"

Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[ConorMacNessa]

GOD BLESS AND PROTECT OUR TROOPS AND OUR BELOVED NATION!


TATTOO
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Must retire – the 0445 Reveille approaches relentlessly.

The Bugler, his grim visage replete with an evil sneer, already mounts the parapet.

Gen. Graves Blanchard Erskine, USMC
Stands The Watch Tonight!



"Do poor Tom some charity, whom the foul fiend vexes!"
(King Lear, Act III, Scene iv)



All Gave Some – Some Gave All!!!
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Good night, God bless you, and God bless the United States of America!

Godspeed our Troops around the Globe – especially those in harm’s way – by virtue of their service and sacrifice we continue to live in Freedom!

Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!

"Riamh nár dhruid ó sbairn lann!"

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[Kathy in Alaska]

You are so right....."Heroes come in all sorts of size, color and age."

Thanks for the idea.

[Kathy in Alaska]

LOL! Funny dragon and I share his sentiments.

I need another day to decompress. The weekend was busy.

Did you have some down time? Did you get mugged?

[left that other site]

Mom is doing so much better that she actually went to w WEDDING yesterday.

Of course, she says the music was too loud.

Mom seems to be back to her old self! Hallelujah!

I am in the final stages of my cold so i probably will go back to work tomorrow

But Linda DID get one Dog park visit in, despite my misery.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Luv. 11 years old...he knew what was important already.

Did you have a good day? Another day better? Did you get a nap?

[Kathy in Alaska]

[luvie]

Howdy, KathY! (((hugs))) He was an amazing kid!

I went to church today...first time I’ve driven in 2 1/2 weeks! It was good to see everyone. I was ready for that nap and yes, I got one! :)

[SandRat]

No down time,...MrsSR has had me going most of the day. No muggings yet, but I feel one getting ready.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Mayor, and thank you for today’s sustenance for body and soul.

Hope you made the progress on the mixer that you wanted.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Congratulations to you and Daniel for a job well done!

Woe be unto those weeds!!

Did you enjoy a wonderful repast after a hard day of work?

I got the winter swept out of the garage, “stuff” put away or thrown out, renewed the floor marks for my vehicle, and wandered through the yard picking up debris (it is going to take much more work).

For the first time ever the Canadian geese have figured out how to get into the yard. They are making a huge mess, and landing on the roof. No more corn for the ducks if the geese are going to be here.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Our thanks to Gen. Graves Blanchard Erskine, USMC, for his service to our country.