12/22/2024
This young man is not dressed up for play, but was an actual Civil War soldier... But he was more than a regular or private, he was the youngest non commissioned U.S. officer in history. His name was Sergeant Johnny Clem, and he joined as a nine year old drummer boy from Newark, Ohio. He insisted on getting involved during battle and finally after seeing action, being captured, and ultimately shooting a Confederate colonel, he earned his stripes as a sergeant at the age of only ten years old. He served until 1915; ultimately retiring at the rank of major general. He was also the last Civil War participant to still serve.
Picture courtesy of Library of Congress