Letters from the Front Line (Part II)
A depiction of Andersonville Prison by John L. Ransom Children grew up fast during the American Civil War as they were forced to endure hardships and take on adult responsibilities.…
Letters from the Home Front (Part I)
Children grew up fast during the American Civil War as they were forced to endure hardships and take on adult responsibilities. Under pressure from the war, some children joined the…
The Importance of Drummer Boys during the Civil War
It is often difficult to hear commands with all the noise and confusion in a battle. So in order for commands to reach the soldiers, signals that can cut through…
Robert Henry Hendershot: The Drummer Boy of the Rappahannock
After the fall of Fort Sumter on April 14, 1861, many in Jackson, Michigan longed for the glory of battle. One of those who wanted to enlist was Robert Henry…
Jimmie Johnston: Child Soldier of the Civil War
“Powder Boy” James V. Johnston * James “Jimmie” Vincent Johnston was born September 23, 1857, and “was the youngest person who rendered effective service in battle” during the Civil War…
Letters from the Front Line (Part I)
Children grew up fast during the American Civil War as they were forced to endure hardships and take on adult responsibilities. Under pressure from the war, some children joined the…
Letters from the Civil War: Henry Lawson Bert (August 3 & November 19, 1864)
Flags of the 47th Indiana Volunteer Infantry Indiana University Department of History. Henry Lawson Bert was born at Jimstown, Ohio, on August 15, 1845, the son of Peter Bert and of…
Letters from the Civil War: Henry Lawson Bert (January 13 & April 10, 1865)
Flags of the 47th Indiana Volunteer Infantry Indiana University Department of History. Henry Lawson Bert was born at Jimstown, Ohio, on August 15, 1845, the son of Peter Bert and of…
Civil War: The Impact of Family Situations on Enlistment
While many enlisted because they want to experience some adventure, a large number of boys hint at, or outright admit to having, difficulties of some kind at home. Whether economic…
Letters from the Civil War: Henry Lawson Bert (April 30 & May 14, 1865)
Flags of the 47th Indiana Volunteer Infantry Indiana University Department of History. Henry Lawson Bert was born at Jimstown, Ohio, on August 15, 1845, the son of Peter Bert and of…
Alexander H. Johnson: “The Original Drummer Boy”
Many believed that Alexander H. Johnson was the first black musician to enlist in the army during the Civil War, however, he was not really the first. Technically, at least…
The Boys of the American Civil War
After the start of the war at Fort Sumter, people were lining up to enlist and join the army. The soldiers had multiple motivations for volunteering. Some did it to…
Letters from the Civil War: Hamilton Wetherby
Born on February 13, 1847, Hamilton Wetherby was just 15 years old when he mustered into the US army on August 20, 1862, and became a drummer boy for the…
Letters from the Civil War: Felix Voltz
Felix Voltz was 18 years old (possibly younger) when he ran away from home on January 30, 1865 to enlist (to his family’s dismay). He mustered out with the company…
Letters from the Civil War: Felix Voltz February 22, 1865
Felix Voltz was 18 years old (possibly younger) when he ran away from home on January 30, 1865 to enlist (to his family’s dismay). He mustered out with the company…
Letters from the Civil War: Felix Voltz March 3, 1865
Felix Voltz was 18 years old (possibly younger) when he ran away from home on January 30, 1865 to enlist (to his family’s dismay). He mustered out with the company…
Letters from the Civil War: Felix Voltz May 20, 1865
Felix Voltz was 18 years old (possibly younger) when he ran away from home on January 30, 1865 to enlist (to his family’s dismay). He mustered out with the company…
Letters from the Civil War: Felix Voltz June 2, 1865
Felix Voltz was 18 years old (possibly younger) when he ran away from home on January 30, 1865 to enlist (to his family’s dismay). He mustered out with the company…
Letters from the Civil War: Henry Lawson Bert
Flags of the 47th Indiana Volunteer Infantry Taken from Indiana University Department of History. Letters and diaries are often of more interest for the light they throw upon a way of life…