Joel Arthur Moore's Blog – June 2016 Archive (4)

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…

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…

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…