Johnny Clem ran away from home to join the Union Army in the Civil War. He hooked up with the 22nd Michigan Infantry which adopted him as a mascot and drummer boy. Drummer boys were common in the war. They used their drums to relay orders to the men. Certain drum rolls meant certain commands. Normally, they would stay behind when their unit went into combat. In 1863, the Michiganders fought in the Battle of Chickamauga. Johnny hitched a ride on an artillery caisson to rejoin his buddies in the thick of the fight. Unfortunately, the Union lost the battle and Johnny was caught up in the retreat. Separated from his men, Johnny was spotted by a Union Colonel who chased him on his horse. Johnny used his sawed off rifle to shoot the officer off his horse and got away. Because of his courageous actions, Johnny became known as the “Drummer Boy of Chickamauga”. He was promoted to sergeant, making him at age 12 the youngest noncommissioned officer in the history of the U.S. Army. He rejoined the Army after graduating from high school. By the time he retired in 1915 he had been promoted to brigadier general. He was the last Civil War general on active duty. One year later, Congress promoted him to major general.
https://historycollection.co/20-historical-events-seldom-taught-in-school/3/
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