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Child soldiers of the American Civil War
Source: http://www.thevintagenews.com/2017/0...can-civil-war/
The American Civil War, fought from 1861 to 1865, was and remains to this day the most devastating event in the history of the United States.
This national tragedy of unimaginable proportions claimed over 600,000 lives and left millions more wounded.
Almost everyone, including children in the United States, was affected by the American Civil War, especially in the South. The horrors of the civil war changed the lives of children in countless ways. Many of them had to grow up earlier than they would ordinarily have done and a great number of them even joined the army and fought alongside the other soldiers in many battles.
Child soldier John Clem, c. 1863.
Three drummer boys in the Confederate army who took part in 9 battles.
Drummer Jimmy Doyle of Co. B, 18th U.S. Infantry Regiment who was wounded at Chickamauga, Tennessee, in September 1863.
Unidentified young soldier in Confederate infantry uniform, possibly a drummer boy.
Major Luzerne Todd of Co. D, 23rd New York Infantry Regiment and Co. B, 86th New York Infantry Regiment in uniform with sword and unidentified young African American servant in front of a tent.
It is estimated that over 250,000 of the participants in this conflict were under 18 years old and many of them weren’t much older than 10. Almost overnight, these boys (both black and white) were compelled to act like adults and most of them even lied about their age and joined the army without their parents’ permission.
The youngest among them usually got the roles of drummers and messengers, but those who were slightly older were sent to fight in some of the most important battles of the civil war and played a crucial role on the battlefield.
Three soldiers and two African American children, probably servants, posing in front of a tent.
Photograph shows uniformed soldiers with guns posed in front of a tent; an African American child sits in front of the group.
Photograph shows a group portrait of Generals Andrew A. Humphreys, Henry W. Slocum, William B. Franklin, William F. Barry, and John Newton, with an African American boy at Cumberland Landing, Virginia.
Photograph shows young African American camp servant of Colonel Lloyd Aspinwall of Field & Staff, 22nd New York Infantry Regiment, standing in front of tent with a sword as Aspinwall peeks from inside the tent.
Unidentified young African American soldier in Union uniform.
Unidentified young African American soldier in Union uniform.
Unidentified young drummer boy in Union uniform.
Unidentified young drummer boy in Union uniform.
Drummer boy Johnny Jacobs in Union uniform with cup.
Unidentified young drummer boy in military uniform playing drum.
Powder monkey by gun of U.S.S. New Hampshire off Charleston, S.C.
Photograph shows a group portrait of seamen gathered around a mounted gun. The young boy seated on the gun is possibly the powder monkey.
Unidentified young soldier in Union infantry uniform with Hardee hat and musket.
Edward (William) Black (1853–1872) was a drummer boy for the Union during the American Civil War. At twelve years old, his left hand and arm were shattered by an exploding shell. He is considered to be the youngest wounded soldier of the war.
Stereograph showing Capt. B.S. Brown (left); Lt. John P. Shaw, Co. F 2nd Regt. Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry (center); and Lt. Fry (right) with African American men and boy at Camp Brightwood, D.C.
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