Many people may not know that The Civil War was also known as, “The Boy’s War”, and there is a reason behind that name. It is said that at least 100,00, or 20%, of soldiers in the civil war were under the legal age of eighteen (PBS.org). Both the Union army and Confederate army loosely followed that rule. It seems as though the Confederate ignored this rule more than the Union. According to Confederate Cavalrymen of the Civil War, “The men ranged in age from a bottom limit of 13 and an upper limit of 58…”. Even though the legal was eighteen, many recruiters turned their heads because they were desperate for men. The boys who wanted to enlist, most likely want to fight for adventure whether than for a cause. Most boys lied about their age so
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Edward Black was born May 30, 1853 in Hagerstown, IN. At the age of eight years old, Black was able to enlisted in the 21st Indiana Volunteer Infantry as a drummer. The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis says that, “historians believe that made him the youngest soldier to serve in the Civil War”. Since the drummer led the army into battle, this allowed Black to get captured. Edward Black was taken, in 1862, as a prisoner during the Battle of Baton Rouge. Black was finally released when the Union army took control of the city of New …show more content…
There is not much evidence support the tale of Jimmie Johnston, but it still shows the job of a powder boy. James “Jimmie” Vincent Johnston was just six and half years old when him and his mother visited his father, Captain John V. Johnston, on the Forest Rose gunboat. While aboard, the ship was attacked by the Confederate army. Jimmie’s father tried to keep below deck with his mother during the attack, but Jimmie kept escaping. During the attack the original powder boy was shot and killed. That is when Jimmie took over as the powder boy. Since Jimmie took over the role as powder boy, the ship was able to fight of the Confederate army. Once the battle was over, Jimmie received a miniature sailor’s uniform and was nicknamed, “Admiral
Edward Black was born May 30, 1853 in Hagerstown, IN. At the age of eight years old, Black was able to enlisted in the 21st Indiana Volunteer Infantry as a drummer. The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis says that, “historians believe that made him the youngest soldier to serve in the Civil War”. Since the drummer led the army into battle, this allowed Black to get captured. Edward Black was taken, in 1862, as a prisoner during the Battle of Baton Rouge. Black was finally released when the Union army took control of the city of New …show more content…
There is not much evidence support the tale of Jimmie Johnston, but it still shows the job of a powder boy. James “Jimmie” Vincent Johnston was just six and half years old when him and his mother visited his father, Captain John V. Johnston, on the Forest Rose gunboat. While aboard, the ship was attacked by the Confederate army. Jimmie’s father tried to keep below deck with his mother during the attack, but Jimmie kept escaping. During the attack the original powder boy was shot and killed. That is when Jimmie took over as the powder boy. Since Jimmie took over the role as powder boy, the ship was able to fight of the Confederate army. Once the battle was over, Jimmie received a miniature sailor’s uniform and was nicknamed, “Admiral