When Johnny Went Marching Home: Young Americans Fight the Civil War

Rating:
Summary: True stories of young children on Civil War battlefields
Review: Lots of histories of the Civil War mention some of the stories about young drummer boys and other children who made their way onto the battlefield. For "When Johnny Went Marching: Young Americans Fight the Civil War," G. Clifton Wisler has collected forty-nine stories about boys and girls who were not only drummers and buglers, but also soldiers and spies. Certainly the most recognizable name in the group is William McKinley, who went on to become President, but anyone who has done a fair amount of reading about the Civil War will recognize the names of Jenny Wade, Richard Kirkland, and John Clem. I was also surprised to learn that six of these youngsters were awarded the Medal of Honor. For me one of the most memorable stories is that of Edwin Francis Jemison of Louisiana, whose photograph I first saw in one of my dad's books. He must have been the first young soldier whose photo I ever saw, but beyond the caption that caption that he died in battle at the age of fourteen, I never knew any more of his story. Now, thanks to Wisler, I do. Most of these stories are fairly brief, because there is relatively little to be known about many of these children. Amazingly enough, Wisler has unearthed photographs to accompany every one of these stories. This book begins with another haunting photograph of the young boys of Adams, Massachusetts, who formed their own company, the Plunkett Zouaves, at the start of the Civil War. The photograph shows a couple dozen boys, armed with wooden rifles and dressed as Zouaves, while the caption concludes: "How many of these boys joined the fighting during the four years that followed is not know." Nor, of course, is how many might have died on Civil War battlefields. "When Johnny Went Marching" is an interesting and enjoyable look at this particular aspect of Civil War history for not only young readers but older ones as well.

Rating:
Summary: True stories of young children on Civil War battlefields
Review: Lots of histories of the Civil War mention some of the stories about young drummer boys and other children who made their way onto the battlefield. For "When Johnny Went Marching: Young Americans Fight the Civil War," G. Clifton Wisler has collected forty-nine stories about boys and girls who were not only drummers and buglers, but also soldiers and spies. Certainly the most recognizable name in the group is William McKinley, who went on to become President, but anyone who has done a fair amount of reading about the Civil War will recognize the names of Jenny Wade, Richard Kirkland, and John Clem. I was also surprised to learn that six of these youngsters were awarded the Medal of Honor. For me one of the most memorable stories is that of Edwin Francis Jemison of Louisiana, whose photograph I first saw in one of my dad's books. He must have been the first young soldier whose photo I ever saw, but beyond the caption that caption that he died in battle at the age of fourteen, I never knew any more of his story. Now, thanks to Wisler, I do. Most of these stories are fairly brief, because there is relatively little to be known about many of these children. Amazingly enough, Wisler has unearthed photographs to accompany every one of these stories. This book begins with another haunting photograph of the young boys of Adams, Massachusetts, who formed their own company, the Plunkett Zouaves, at the start of the Civil War. The photograph shows a couple dozen boys, armed with wooden rifles and dressed as Zouaves, while the caption concludes: "How many of these boys joined the fighting during the four years that followed is not know." Nor, of course, is how many might have died on Civil War battlefields. "When Johnny Went Marching" is an interesting and enjoyable look at this particular aspect of Civil War history for not only young readers but older ones as well.

Rating:
Summary: Young Soldiers.....
Review: Though both the North and South banned the enlistment of anyone under the age of 18, thousands of boys and some girls as young as ten fought during the Civil War. They came from all walks of life, immigrants, blacks, the poor, and rich, even future president William McKinley, and served as soldiers, drummers, buglers, hospital orderlies, and spies. Many were wounded, imprisoned, died in battle, or of disease, and six even received the Medal of Honor. G. Clifton Wisler has compiled the stories and experiences of 49 of these very young Americans into a riveting and vivid collection. History comes alive in short two or three page chapters, and each account is very personal and poignant, often using diary entries, letters, and postwar recollections if possible, and most include a haunting photograph of each young soldier at the time of his/her service. It is obvious that this book was a labor of love, and Mr Wisler's painstaking research and attention to detail brings these stories to life. A map, extensive chapter notes, glossary, index, and bibliography are included to augment lessons and discussions. Perfect for youngsters 10 and older,When Johnny Went Marching is a masterpiece, and children will be fascinated as they read about soldiers their own age who tried to make a difference.

Rating:
Summary: Young Soldiers.....
Review: Though both the North and South banned the enlistment of anyone under the age of 18, thousands of boys and some girls as young as ten fought during the Civil War. They came from all walks of life, immigrants, blacks, the poor, and rich, even future president William McKinley, and served as soldiers, drummers, buglers, hospital orderlies, and spies. Many were wounded, imprisoned, died in battle, or of disease, and six even received the Medal of Honor. G. Clifton Wisler has compiled the stories and experiences of 49 of these very young Americans into a riveting and vivid collection. History comes alive in short two or three page chapters, and each account is very personal and poignant, often using diary entries, letters, and postwar recollections if possible, and most include a haunting photograph of each young soldier at the time of his/her service. It is obvious that this book was a labor of love, and Mr Wisler's painstaking research and attention to detail brings these stories to life. A map, extensive chapter notes, glossary, index, and bibliography are included to augment lessons and discussions. Perfect for youngsters 10 and older,When Johnny Went Marching is a masterpiece, and children will be fascinated as they read about soldiers their own age who tried to make a difference.