Civil War Union Drummer Boys Quiz

Answer: No

On August 13th 1851, John Joseph Klem was born outside of Newark, Ohio. He would during the war change his name to John Lincoln Clem in honor of the President. However, John Klem's regiment, the 22nd Michigan was NOT at the bloody battle of Shiloh. Lewis Easterly an 8 year old musician with the 9th Illinois was truly at Shiloh. Well meaning historians did not check Klem's war record and Klem never denied it until pressed on the matter. Walt Disney also did not help the true story.

While we may never know the real name of the "Drummer Boy of Shiloh" we do know that it was NOT John L. Clem or John J. Klem.

Answer: for beating his drum during a retreat

Willie Johnston of Company B, 3rd Vermont was awarded the medal for his actions of Seven Days. Please note at the time he was 12 years old. However he did not receive the medal for 18 months, thus making him 13. During the army's retreat many men started running. Willie Johnston while beating on his drum stayed in military formation. General Smith rode up to young Johnston and got his name.

The rest is history.

Answer: John Spillane

A much heated rivalry occured after the war on who the "Drummer Boy of the Rappahannock" really was. Both John Spillane and Robert Hendershot both claimed the honor. It was not until eye-witnesses were brought forward and settled the issue. John T. Spillane was the true "Drummer Boy of the Rappahannock".

Answer: Orion P. Howe

Orion Perseus Howe was the much celebrated "Drummer Boy of Vicksburg". He was also the subject of the poem "Calibre 54" describing his brief enounter with General Sherman on May 19, 1863. The young drummer boy was wounded at the Vicksburg campaign. For his action on May 19th he was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1896.

Answer: John S. Kountz

John S. Kountz was a member of the 37th Ohio, also known as that state's 3rd German regiment. "Drummer Boy" Kountz was badly wounded at Tunnel Hill,Ga. For his actions that day he was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Answer: John L. Clem

This time John Lincoln Clem can claim this title. Although his story of shooting a Confederate colonel during the battle is highly in question. Clem by his own accounts had several different versions of the story. The Confederates listed no ranking officers wounded or killed in the area where this story happened at Chickamauga.

Answer: played "Yankee Doodle"

With the war being but one day away the 1st Brigade band rode in between the two armies and began playing "Yankee Doodle". The Confederates fired a volley of bullets over their heads and they retreated all except for young Edward F. Smith who on his horse finished playing the song.

Answer: 21

The age of 21 is the correct answer, however I wonder how strictly it was followed?

Answer: there was no minimum height

Although the minimum height of a soldier was 5'4 and 1/2 inches, there was no height requirement for a musician or drummer boy. Youths were taken on a trial basis. Many of them were never mustered into the Army.

Answer: Sanitary Commission

The United States Sanitary Commission did an in-depth age analysis of Union soldiers using muster rolls and enlistment forms. After the war when many GAR posts were created, it was learned many more Union soldiers and drummer boys were younger than they first reported.

The war was over and they could now tell the truth. You might be interested to note that the other answers in this quiz did belong to real young boys in the Civil War.