Meet John Clem. He was a drummer boy during the American Civil War and at the age of just twelve fought in the Battle of Chickamauga with the 22nd Michigan. In the course of a Union retreat, he shot a Confederate colonel who had demanded his surrender. After the battle, the “Drummer Boy of Chickamauga” was promoted to sergeant, the youngest soldier ever to be a noncommissioned officer in the United States Army. He was famous overnight and used as propoganda by both the Confederates and the Union. There was even a song (wrongly) called “The Drummer Boy Of Shiloh!”
After the war, Johnny graduated from high school and promptly returned to the army. He served in the Spanish-American War and the occupation of Puerto Rico, and was promoted to brigadier general. He only left the army when forced to retire due to hitting the mandatory retirement age of 64 in 1916. Johnny Clem was the last American Civil War veteran still on duty.
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário