In the words of William Bircher

William Bircher lived in Minnesota when fighting began in the civil war. Like most 15 year-old boys William was excited by this war business. William wanted to become a solider and help the union army defeat the confederacy. At first he was rejected by the union army because he was too young. Fortunately “company K” of the Minnesota regiment needed a drummer. Bircher was allowed to join the union forces, as a drummer boy. http://bit.ly/1OJdFpF