Civil War Drummer Boy, Johnny Clem, ALS as Major General, January 1921

Lot 82

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American History

By Cowan's Auctions

Jun 10, 2016 - Jun 11, 2016

Set Reminder 2016-06-10 10:00:00 2016-06-11 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : American History https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/cowans/american-history-1497 Cowan's Auctions dawnie@cowans.com

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Lot Description

Civil War Drummer Boy, Johnny Clem, ALS as Major General, January 1921

Clem, John (1851-1937). Youngest non-commissioned officer in US military history. ALS to General William H. Bisbee, 1p, "The Army and Navy Club, Washington." January 20, 1921.

Clem writes to General Bisbee:

Thank you very much for sending me the ringing resolution passed by your commandery. I showed it to the "strategy board" and they approved it unanimously. In fact it meets the approval of all red blooded Americans (with a big "A") I will try and get it in the national Tribune next week.

The Board joins me in kindest regards. They are all well and happy. Our good friends Gen. Hudson Mills and D.S. Gordon are still unusually spry and active. Sincerely your friend...Jno. L. Clem.

John Clem was barely 10 years old before he attempted to enlist for the 3rd OH. The regiment refused to enlist a boy so young, but, undeterred from his military dream, Clem enlisted a second time in the 22nd MI Inf. The regiment accepted and made him their mascot and honorary drummer boy. The officers payed for his salary until he was able to enlist in 1863. Clem's young age did not shield him from battle. He carried a sawed off musket, and at the battle of Horseshoe Ridge Clem shot a colonel. His young age brought the attention of General Rosecrans and the hearts of the American public. Apocryphal stories of his war experience circulated including his drum being destroyed at the Battle of Shiloh and surviving three close bullets that tore through his hat at the Battle of Chickamauga. What is true is that Clem was promoted to sergeant, becoming the youngest soldier ever to become a noncommissioned officer in the US Army. He went on to fight at Perryville, Murfreesboro, Kennesaw and Atlanta, where he was wounded twice.

Clem was discharged from the Army in 1864 at age 13, but sought to rejoin the military in 1870. General US Grant nominated Clem to West Point, but he failed the entrance exams three times. Regardless, Grant appointed him a second lieutenant in the US Army. In his second military career, he rose to the rank of colonel and assistant quartermaster general by 1906. He retired on the eve of U.S. entry into World War I with the rank of major general. He was the last Civil War veteran to actively serve in the US Army. He died in 1937 and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Condition

Very good, some typical folds of the paper.
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