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 seen enlisting to become drummer boys. For them, the life of a drummer boy appeared rather glamorous. -

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