FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Drummer Boy Willie Johnston ~ 25 September 2017

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[Kathy in Alaska]

 

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Thank the Veterans who served
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---

~ Hall of Heroes ~

Drummer Boy Willie Johnston
Info from here and here.

           

William E. "Willie" Johnston, drummer boy of Company D, 3rd Vermont Infantry, has the distinction of being the youngest soldier to ever receive the Medal of Honor, presented to him at age 11 for gallantry on the battlefield in the Seven Day Battle Peninsula Campaign of 1862. Young Johnston is the subject of a book written, Mr. Lincoln's Drummer, written by G. Clifton Wisler.

In the Soldiers' Record of the town of St. Johnsonbury, Vermont, it is written:

Born in Warrentown, St. Lawrence County, N. Y. Son of William Johnson, member of Company B, 3d Regiment. Resided with his father in St. Johnsbury when he enlisted. Age twelve years. Enlisted in Company D, 3d Regiment, May 1, 1862. Mustered into United States service same day. Drummer. Re-enlisted at Brandy Station, Va., February 15, 1864. Transferred to Company H, February 15, 1864, and thence, as Drum Major, of 20th Regiment of Veteran Reserve Corps. Mustered out of service December 30, 1864.

Willie was with the 3d Regiment in the tedious and hazardous conflicts of the seven days campaign in the Peninsula, and received from the Secretary of War a star medal for heroic conduct during this time. This conduct was meritorious beyond that of other drummers, in so much as he retained his drum and brought it off on the retreat, while they, to lessen their burdens, threw theirs away. Upon reaching Harrison's Landing Willie's was the only drum to be found for use at the division parade.

 

William "Willie" Johnston (born July 1850), from St. Johnsbury, Vermont, was a drummer boy in Company D of the 3rd Vermont Infantry. His service during the Seven Days retreat in the Peninsula Campaign was exemplary. He was the only drummer in his division to come away with his instrument, by no means a trivial accomplishment. As a result, he received the Medal of Honor on the recommendation of his division commander, thereby becoming the youngest recipient of the highest decoration at 13 years of age.

Johnston was born in Morristown, New York in 1850. Apparently his family moved to Salem, Vermont (now Derby). When his father enlisted in December, 1861, young Willie begged to go with him. The commanding officer agreed. He was enlisted as a drummer boy on December 11, 1861 in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. He was 11 years old and five feet tall.

Johnston's first fight was at Lee's Mill, Virginia, on April 16, 1862.

During his next campaign, the Seven Days Battles from June 25 to July 1, 1862, Johnston was cited for bravery.

During that retreat many men threw away all their equipment so they would have less weight to carry. Johnston, however, retained his drum and brought it safely to Harrison's Landing. There, he had the honor of drumming for the division parade, he being the only drummer boy to bring his instrument off the battlefields. Johnston's division commander noted this fact and included them in his report. President Lincoln heard the story and wrote Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton, suggesting the youth be given a medal. Stanton agreed, and Willie Johnston was presented his Medal of Honor September 16, 1863, at the age of 13, for a deed performed when he was but 11 years of age.

This was the second Medal of Honor ever awarded. Secretary Stanton presented the actual award.

There is no Medal of Honor Citation as the date and place of act are not on record in War Department. Until the establishment of the Medal of Honor there was only one medal a soldier could receive: a Purple Heart. However, since the Purple Heart had not been awarded since the Revolutionary War, and would not be used again until World War I, the Medal of Honor was effectively the only award available to U.S. military personnel at the time of the Civil War.

Please remember the Canteen is here to honor, support and entertain our troops and their families.  This is a politics-free zone!  Thanks for helping us in our mission! 

[luvie]

....till they all come home....

[luvie]

That just goes to show you...heroes come in all sizes and ages.

Thanks, Galz, for introducing us to this brave young man!

[radu]

Howdy, Kathy.

I hope you and your sister have been able to relax a little after your hectic and unsettling night last night. Keeping you both in my prayers for peace of mind.

[ConorMacNessa]

Good evening, Luv!

*HUGS*

We stand on watch with unbended knee!

"I am an American fighting man. I serve in the forces guarding our country and our way of life.
I am prepared to give my life in their defense."

[luvie]

Indeed...as long as it takes!

[radu]

Howdy do, Conor. *HUGZ*

It sounds like you had a good day. After a summer of chaos during the reno, your house must be starting to feel like a home again with your things hanging back on the walls. A nice relaxing feeling ...... until Phase 2 starts next month. :-) Sure hope it doesn’t take as long as Phase 1.

[lightman]

Lots of stories like this on the News forum tonight!

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3588680/posts

[luvie]

Howdy, radu!

Hope you had a good day today. We did...it was cooler and we got over an inch of rain very early this morning! Yay!

[radu]

Yikes! That’s just insane!

[ConorMacNessa]

Good evening, Radu!

*HUGS*

A good day, thanks - we got some odds and ends taken care of after Church.

Onward to Phase 2!

"I am an American fighting man. I serve in the forces guarding our country and our way of life.
I am prepared to give my life in their defense."

[radu]

Howdy, LUV!

WOOHOO on your rain! And on the cooler temps! Made it nice to get out and about for a change.

It was another quiet day here. Pretty warm outside but there was a breeze to take the edge off the heat. By around 4:30 it was comfy enough to take Churchill outside for a little exercise and not be miserable.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Mac, for the Missing Man Setting as we remember those who have given their all that we may gather safe and secure.

[Kathy in Alaska]

God Bless our Vet heroes!!

Good evening, combat_boots....what a great idea.

[Kathy in Alaska]

And in first...Mac grabs the gold!!

[The Mayor]

Thanks Kathy.
I stayed put all day after Church.
Played a bit on the computer.
I do a TV show tomorrow at 11:30 then work.
Radio this coming Saturday

[luvie]

It felt really good! And all this week the highs are going to be in the high-60s to low-70s...which suits me just fine!

Glad your breeze kept things comfy there. It kind of takes the humidity away at least for a while! I’m sure Churchill enjoyed his time outdoors!

[ConorMacNessa]

GOD BLESS AND PROTECT OUR TROOPS AND OUR BELOVED NATION!


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Must retire for the evening -

The Bugler, his grim visage replete with an evil sneer,
already mounts the parapet.

Soldiers of the Greatest Generation
Stand The Watch Tonight!





Standing With Them
T/4 Harvey E. Rookus, USA!



T/4 Harvey E. Rookus, USA
(Old China Hand)
Hq. China Combat Command, WWII

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"Do poor Tom some charity, whom the foul fiend vexes!"

(King Lear, Act III, Scene iv)



All Gave Some – Some Gave All!!!
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Good night, God bless you, and God bless the United States of America!

Godspeed our Troops around the Globe – especially those in harm’s way – by virtue of their service and sacrifice we continue to live in Freedom!

Good night, God bless you, and God bless the United States of America!

Godspeed our Troops around the Globe – especially those in harm’s way – by virtue of their service and sacrifice we continue to live in Freedom!

[radu]

Your weather forecast sounds delightful! Can’t wait for the cool temps to get here but will have to ..... we won’t cool off that much until Friday.

Church did enjoy being out this afternoon. The other cats who were out were feeling frisky and running around, especially Mr. Shags. That got Church motivated to walk around more than he usually does and he needs the exercise.

[radu]

Good night and sleep well, Conor. *HUGZ*

[luvie]

Nite, Conor! Have a great retirement non-work week! :)