Boys on Battlefields

Thirteen-year-old Charley King was the youngest soldier killed in the war. Orion Howe received a Medal of Honor for the bravery he displayed, also at age thirteen. William Horsfall was not more than fifteen when he rescued his wounded captain and he, too, received a Medal of Honor for his heroism.1 All three were drummer boys in the American Civil War. For centuries, drums were used in wartime. Their low tones could be heard in battle and distinct rhythms were used to represent the various orders conveyed by the commanding officers. During the Civil War, approximately forty different beats were employed, not only during combat, but also to structure the soldiers’ everyday life. They announced the time for camp duties, meals, and formations. They boosted morale, made marches more orderly, and intimidated the opposition.2 The average age of drummers in the Civil War was eighteen. Those younger than fourteen were often sons accompanying their fathers or orphans. The youngest known drummer boy, one of approximately 200 drummers during the American Revolution, was only seven years old.3 Over time, the explosions of warfare grew louder and more frequent, due to advances in artillery design. Drum rolls gave way to the higher […]