THE GREENPOINT MONITOR MUSEUM - John Ericsson JHS 126 - May 2004

THE GREENPOINT MONITOR MUSEUM
"ROAD SHOW"
May 7, 2004

Presented At:

J.H.S. 126 - "JOHN ERICSSON SCHOOL"

Page - 5

John is looking for new recruits.
Even nine year old boys tried to join the Civil War.

"JOHNNY CLEM"

Johnny Clem was born in Ohio in 1851. After his
mother died, he ran away from home to join the army.
He discovered that the army was not interested
in 9-year-old boys, but he still tagged along.
The men adopted him as their drummer boy.
As he was not officially enrolled in the army,
the officers chipped in to pay his $13 a month salary.
He later was officially enlisted intoCompany C, 22nd Michigan,
and received his own pay. At the Battle of Shiloh
his drum was smashed by cannon fire. After this battle
he became known as "Johnny Shiloh". At the
Battle Of Chickamauga, Johnny rode an artillery caisson
to the front and held a musket that was trimmed to his size.
A Confederate officer ran after the cannon he rode with,
and said, "Surrender you damned little Yankee!"
Johnny fired his musket, wounded the officer and took
him prisoner. After this battle he was called the
"Drummer Boy of Chickamauga". President U.S. Grant
appointed Johnny to the Army military academy at
West Point, but Johnny did not have the neccessary
academic background. Since he had been fighting
the Civil War instead of going to school, Johnny
failed to pass the entrance exam. In 1871
President Grant decided to appoint Johnny
as a 2nd lieutenant with the 24th Infantry-a black unit.
Johnny retired from the army in 1915 with the rank
of major general. Johnny Clem died at the age of 85
in San Antonio, Texas in 1937. He was buried at
Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C.

John's first recruit looks fine in the musician's coat.
Check out the rest of his recruits.

CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE

John's recruits are doing great and have passed inspection.

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