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Joel Arthur Moore's Blog (48)

Letters from the Home Front (Part I)

Children grew up fast during the American Civil War as they were forced to endure hardships and take on adult responsibilities. Under pressure from the war, some children joined the army to become drummer boys. Some decided to become powder monkeys in the navy. And some decided to stay home and take care of their families after their fathers and brothers went to join…

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Added by Joel Arthur Moore on July 10, 2016 at 6:51pm — No Comments

Letters from the Front Line (Part II)

A depiction of Andersonville Prison by John L. Ransom

Children grew up fast during the American Civil War as they were forced to endure hardships and take on adult responsibilities. Under pressure from the war, some children joined the army to become drummer boys. Some decided to become powder monkeys in the navy. And some decided…

Continue

Added by Joel Arthur Moore on July 3, 2016 at 8:00pm — No Comments

Letters from the Front Line (Part I)

Children grew up fast during the American Civil War as they were forced to endure hardships and take on adult responsibilities. Under pressure from the war, some children joined the army to become drummer boys. Some decided to become powder monkeys in the navy. And some decided to stay home and take care of their families after their fathers and brothers went to join the…

Continue

Added by Joel Arthur Moore on June 26, 2016 at 7:11pm — No Comments

Jimmie Johnston: Child Soldier of the Civil War

"Powder Boy" James V. Johnston

* James “Jimmie” Vincent Johnston was born September 23, 1857, and “was the youngest person who rendered effective service in battle” during the Civil War at age 6 ½.

* His father, Captain John V.…

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Added by Joel Arthur Moore on June 22, 2016 at 12:30am — No Comments

Robert Henry Hendershot: The Drummer Boy of the Rappahannock

After the fall of Fort Sumter on April 14, 1861, many in Jackson, Michigan longed for the glory of battle. One of those who wanted to enlist was Robert Henry Hendershot, who would famously became “the Drummer Boy of the Rappahannock.” At first, Hendershot did not enlist. He, however, accompanied Company C of the Ninth Michigan Infantry to Fort Wayne, and then to the regiment’s first encampment at West Point, Kentucky. It is believed that he was either a stowaway or he acted as a servant to…

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Added by Joel Arthur Moore on June 15, 2016 at 5:46am — No Comments

The Importance of Drummer Boys during the Civil War

It is often difficult to hear commands with all the noise and confusion in a battle. So in order for commands to reach the soldiers, signals that can cut through the roar of fighting became necessary. That’s how drums became such an important part of warfare with its role in the battlefield communications system. Orders were soon given series of drumbeats to represent them, and the playing of each call would tell soldiers what was required of them.

During the American Civil War, many…

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Added by Joel Arthur Moore on June 7, 2016 at 5:51am — No Comments

The Boys of the American Civil War

After the start of the war at Fort Sumter, people were lining up to enlist and join the army. The soldiers had multiple motivations for volunteering. Some did it to defend their land. Some did it for glory. And some joined because they want adventure.

While the recruiting age was 18 and above, many boys enlisted their names on both sides of the conflict. The official age limit was often ignored since both the Union and the Confederates need soldiers. Boys as young as 10 or 11 can be…

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Added by Joel Arthur Moore on May 27, 2016 at 6:03am — No Comments

Alexander H. Johnson: “The Original Drummer Boy”

Many believed that Alexander H. Johnson was the first black musician to enlist in the army during the Civil War, however, he was not really the first. Technically, at least three others have enlisted before he did.



A sailor with a passion for percussion, Johnson grew up in New Bedford, Massachusetts. For unknown reasons he was separated from his parents before his fifth birthday, and he was adopted by William Henry Johnson, the second black lawyer in the United States. Johnson’s… Continue

Added by Joel Arthur Moore on May 16, 2016 at 5:48pm — No Comments

Civil War: The Impact of Family Situations on Enlistment

While many enlisted because they want to experience some adventure, a large number of boys hint at, or outright admit to having, difficulties of some kind at home. Whether economic or relational, these home problems made the army an attractive option for them, and a reasonable one in the eyes of their parents.



14-year-old Charles William Bardeen was one such youth. He enlisted because of difficulties at home, especially with his mother who has remarried. Raised in an abolitionist… Continue

Added by Joel Arthur Moore on May 10, 2016 at 5:29pm — No Comments

Letters from the Civil War: Henry Lawson Bert (April 30 & May 14, 1865)

Henry Lawson Bert was born at Jimstown, Ohio, on August 15, 1845, the son of Peter Bert and of Mary Frazier Bert. Henry was little more than sixteen years of age when he left his home at Tipton to enlist for the Civil War. He was not at once accepted—he was small for his age—but followed the Forty-Seventh Regiment of Indiana Volunteers from Indianapolis to Louisville, before he was finally enrolled as a drummer in Captain William M. Henley's Company I on December 21, 1861. He is described as… Continue

Added by Joel Arthur Moore on May 5, 2016 at 5:16pm — No Comments

Letters from the Civil War: Henry Lawson Bert (January 13 & April 10, 1865)

Henry Lawson Bert was born at Jimstown, Ohio, on August 15, 1845, the son of Peter Bert and of Mary Frazier Bert. Henry was little more than sixteen years of age when he left his home at Tipton to enlist for the Civil War. He was not at once accepted—he was small for his age—but followed the Forty-Seventh Regiment of Indiana Volunteers from Indianapolis to Louisville, before he was finally enrolled as a drummer in Captain William M. Henley's Company I on December 21, 1861. He is described as… Continue

Added by Joel Arthur Moore on May 3, 2016 at 5:09pm — No Comments

Letters from the Civil War: Henry Lawson Bert (August 3 & November 19, 1864)

Henry Lawson Bert was born at Jimstown, Ohio, on August 15, 1845, the son of Peter Bert and of Mary Frazier Bert. Henry was little more than sixteen years of age when he left his home at Tipton to enlist for the Civil War. He was not at once accepted—he was small for his age—but followed the Forty-Seventh Regiment of Indiana Volunteers from Indianapolis to Louisville, before he was finally enrolled as a drummer in Captain William M. Henley's Company I on December 21, 1861. He is described as…

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Added by Joel Arthur Moore on May 1, 2016 at 5:08pm — No Comments

Letters from the Civil War: Henry Lawson Bert (May 29 & July 21, 1864)

Henry Lawson Bert was born at Jimstown, Ohio, on August 15, 1845, the son of Peter Bert and of Mary Frazier Bert. Henry was little more than sixteen years of age when he left his home at Tipton to enlist for the Civil War. He was not at once accepted—he was small for his age—but followed the Forty-Seventh Regiment of Indiana Volunteers from Indianapolis to Louisville, before he was finally enrolled as a drummer in Captain William M. Henley's Company I on December 21, 1861. He is…

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Added by Joel Arthur Moore on April 28, 2016 at 5:09pm — No Comments

Letters from the Civil War: Henry Lawson Bert

Letters and diaries are often of more interest for the light they throw upon a way of life or a point of view than for their descriptions of great events. Such, to a degree, is the case with the letters of a drummer-boy that follow. His regiment, although almost constantly in active service, aside from the Vicksburg campaign, took part in few of the important battles of the Civil War. There are casual accounts here of a number, of forgotten skirmishes and expeditions, and something about the… Continue

Added by Joel Arthur Moore on April 26, 2016 at 5:08pm — No Comments

Letters from the Civil War: Felix Voltz (June 2, 1865)

Felix Voltz was 18 years old (possibly younger) when he ran away from home on January 30, 1865 to enlist (to his family's dismay). He mustered out with the company on July 1, 1865, at Arlington Heights, Virginia, and served as a drummer in the 187th Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry for five months.

Felix wrote letters to his family in Elmira, New York, which describes the rigors of Union Army life from February through June 1865. The letters are held in the Special…

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Added by Joel Arthur Moore on April 21, 2016 at 5:07pm — No Comments

Letters from the Civil War: Felix Voltz (May 20, 1865) http://bit.ly/1QlnV3q

Felix Voltz was 18 years old (possibly younger) when he ran away from home on January 30, 1865 to enlist (to his family's dismay). He mustered out with the company on July 1, 1865, at Arlington Heights, Virginia, and served as a drummer in the 187th Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry for five months.

Felix wrote letters to his family in Elmira, New York, which describes the rigors of Union Army life from February through June 1865. The letters are held in the Special Collections… Continue

Added by Joel Arthur Moore on April 19, 2016 at 6:26pm — No Comments

Letters from the Civil War: Felix Voltz (February 22, 1865)

Felix Voltz was 18 years old (possibly younger) when he ran away from home on January 30, 1865 to enlist (to his family's dismay). He mustered out with the company on July 1, 1865, at Arlington Heights, Virginia, and served as a drummer in the 187th Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry for five months.

Felix wrote letters to his family in Elmira, New York, which describes the rigors of Union Army life from February through June 1865. The letters are held in the Special…

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Added by Joel Arthur Moore on April 14, 2016 at 5:53pm — No Comments

Letters from the Civil War: Felix Voltz (February 10, 1865)

Felix Voltz was 18 years old (possibly younger) when he ran away from home on January 30, 1865 to enlist (to his family's dismay). He mustered out with the company on July 1, 1865, at Arlington Heights, Virginia, and served as a drummer in the 187th Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry for five months.

Felix wrote letters to his family in Elmira, New York, which describes the rigors of Union Army life from February through June 1865. The letters are held in the Special…

Continue

Added by Joel Arthur Moore on April 12, 2016 at 5:52pm — No Comments

Letters from the Civil War: Felix Voltz

Felix Voltz was 18 years old (possibly younger) when he ran away from home on January 30, 1865 to enlist (to his family's dismay). He mustered out with the company on July 1, 1865, at Arlington Heights, Virginia, and served as a drummer in the 187th Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry for five months.

Felix wrote letters to his family in Elmira, New York, which describes the rigors of Union Army life from February through June 1865. The letters are held in the Special Collections…

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Added by Joel Arthur Moore on April 11, 2016 at 6:46pm — No Comments

Letters from the Civil War: Hamilton Wetherby

Born on February 13, 1847, Hamilton Wetherby was just 15 years old when he mustered into the US army on August 20, 1862, and became a drummer boy for the 111 Regiment, New York State Volunteers, Company C. Like many other young boys who seek to join the army, Hamilton lied about his age so he can serve with his brothers and cousins. Hamilton was promoted to private before he was killed in action on May 6, 1864 at the Battle of the Wilderness, Virginia. He was originally buried at Cook’s…

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Added by Joel Arthur Moore on April 7, 2016 at 5:12pm — No Comments

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