FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Drummer Boy Willie Johnston ~ 30 September 2024

Serving the Best Troops and Veterans In The World !! | The Canteen Crew

[Kathy in Alaska]

 

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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! 

[radu]

Greetings to all at the Canteen!

To all our military men and women, past and present,

THANK YOU
for your service!

[PROCON]

Hi Kathy, thanks for tonight’s Canteen and for honoring our Hero!

[left that other site]

Hi Everybody!

(((HUGS)))

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, radu...hope you got some sunshine today.

We’ve had a goodly amount, but it is starting to cloud up. It did afford me time to sweep mostly dry leaves off my deck.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Hello Veterans, wherever you are!!

[PROCON]

Hiya radu!

Sorry I missed you Friday, nothing happening my way, didn't see my son or go anywhere, just lazed around.

How was your weekend. You did get your well fixed I assume without it costing too much?

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Pro...hope you’ve had a lovely kicked back weekend.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, M...((HUGS))...hope the weather cooperated so you and Blue were able to get out for a bit this weekend.

[MoochPooch]

Evening, Kathy!

[The Mayor]

September 30

“Small” Miracles

Bible in a Year :

• Isaiah 9-10
• Ephesians 3

Do not despise these small beginnings.

Zechariah 4:10 nlt

At our wedding shower, our shy friend Dave stood in a corner clutching an oblong, tissue-wrapped object. When his turn came to present his gift, he brought it forward. Evan and I unwrapped it to discover a hand-carved piece of wood containing perfect oblong concentric woodgrain circles and the engraved sentence, “Some of God’s miracles are small.” The plaque has hung in our home for forty-five years, reminding us again and again that God is at work even in the small things. Paying a bill. Providing a meal. Healing a cold. All tallying up to an impressive record of God’s provision.

Through the prophet Zechariah, the governor of Judah, Zerubbabel received a similar message from God regarding the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the temple. After returning from their Babylonian captivity, a season of slow progress began, and the Israelites grew discouraged. “Do not despise these small beginnings,” God declared (Zechariah 4:10 nlt). He accomplishes His desires through us and sometimes in spite of us. “ ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty” (v. 6).

When we grow weary at the apparent smallness of God’s work in and around us, may we remember that some of His miracles may be “small.” He uses the small things to build toward His greater purposes.

Reflect & Pray

Where have you seen God’s small miracles in your life? How has He used small things to provide for your needs and the needs of those around you?

Dear God, thank You for working Your small miracles in my life. Please help me to notice all Your works!

[left that other site]

I had a nice ride on Friday, but the weekend has been rainy off and on so, alas no.

That’s OK though...Leather Weather is here, and the trees are getting colorful, so I will be getting some nice rides in soon. :-)

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Mooch....fall has arrived! Hope you are having nice weather.

Are you ready for Rosh Hashanah?

[Kathy in Alaska]

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

A new week approaches.

[MoochPooch]

Making my plans for Rosh Hashanah dinners with friends. This year it’s more complicated, as the Jewish Sabbath falls right after. However, no worries. And, I bought a bunch of honeys (Carrot, Wildflower, Brazilian Pepper) for my hosts.

(For myself, acacia honey.)

I’m currently testing our office 3D printer and making a cookie cutter in the shape of a shofar (ram’s horn).

[ExTexasRedhead]

The IDF is exposing all the delusions that drive Biden-Harris Mideast policy

https://nypost.com/2024/09/29/opinion/the-idf-is-exposing-all-the-delusions-that-drive-biden-harris-mideast-policy/

Let’s all give thanks to the Israeli Defense Forces for the operations have that not only gutted Hezbollah, but at long last took out the thugs most responsible for the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing that slaughtered 220 Marines and 21 other US service members.

Seven US presidents had failed to bring that basic justice.

[radu]

Howdy, Kathy.

I saw that you’ve had a lot of sunshine though it’s a little on the cool side. There was frost on some of the rooftops around Lake Hood early this morning. brrrrrr

It’s still clear to the north but it’s clouding up in the west.

It’s still cloudy here but the sun peeked through holes in the clouds every now and then. At least it didn’t rain this afternoon and that was a nice change. Got a little rain between midnight and when I woke up though.

[radu]

Howdy, PRO!

Sounds like we had about the same ‘fun’ this weekend. Didn’t go anywhere or do anything.

It was too wet to do much of anything. We’re still sitting under the remnants of Helene and it’s been stay-inside weather.

Yes, got the well dealt with and it’s running like a top now. It wasn’t a cheap fix but it didn’t leave me broke. Still hurt though. LOL

[spel_grammer_an_punct_polise]

Desnúdate Mujer - Norberto Vélez ( Homenaje A Frankie Ruiz Live Sesiones Desde La Loma )

[spel_grammer_an_punct_polise]

Gilberto Santa Rosa - Agua que Cae del Cielo ( Lluvia ) ( En Vivo ) featuring Willie Rosario