Drummer Boy

High School Division

 

The moon had just set on the small town as the boy sat on his bed, wishing for a greater purpose in life.

He didn’t want to become a candlemaker like the rest of his family.  Instead, he wanted to do something that mattered, something of importance. He began to think of the war between the Union and the Confederacy, and how it was coming closer to home. The Union threatened Shreveport.  The Confederacy was on the defensive.

When General Grant established the Red River Campaign, it ignited anger throughout the Confederate Army. Things were escalating quickly, and a battle was imminent.

An idea sparked in the boy’s mind. He knew what he had to do to fulfill his longing for importance. He wrote a short letter to his family, bidding them farewell until he returned a hero.  He gathered a few belongings and headed out into the darkness.

 Unsure of where to go until he heard the chatter of older men under a tent, he hesitantly approached, stuck his head in, and told the men why he was there.

He lied about his age; most boys did in order to get a taste of what battle is like.  Informed that due to his small figure, he would most likely be a drummer boy, he didn’t care.  He wanted to do anything to feel like his life was complete.

The next day he walked with the recruiters, as well as some of the other boys who had been recruited the previous days. They reached the Union’s campground within a day, and were instantly put to work.

They were taught the taps for orders that would be given on the battlefield, and shown how to properly transport wounded soldiers. The boy made friends, or as close as to what one could call friends in times like these. Since it was a two-day walk to the Sabine Crossroads, they were sent to bed and told to be ready to wake up early.

General Banks woke the soldiers early, and began the march from Alexandria. The boy was filled with excitement---and fear---for he didn’t know what could happen to him out here. The conflict of emotions was something that could throw him off if he was not careful, so he focused on the task at hand and not the what-ifs.

After marching for half the day, the cavalry decided to rest and wait until nightfall to continue. Some soldiers slept, others ate, and few decided to sing hymns. The boy decided to relax by the trees, minimally speaking to anyone except his fellow drummer boys. During this time, the boy reflected on his decisions. He thought about home, wondering if his parents were worried. Did his siblings miss him?  He didn’t stop thinking until night fell, and the march began again.

The next morning, after stumbling upon Confederates in Mansfield, the Union soldiers headed to a more secure area, until they could figure out what to do. When afternoon came, Banks wanted to attack. The boy was filled with fear. He had wanted to experience battle, but now that it was happening he was terrified. He became even more nervous when he was informed he’d be a drummer boy, and was handed the drum. His hands shook, but he prepared himself. The battle began.

The sound of gunshots echoed throughout the woods as the two sides fought. The boy was shocked, but knew he had to remain calm. He was finally important. As orders were fed to him, he began drum rolls for each one. He continued until he felt a sharp pain in his side. A gunshot wound. He fell to the ground, wondering if anyone saw him go down.

It wasn’t until someone came to give him another order that they realized he was injured. The soldiers couldn’t do anything but hoist the boy up and drag him to their medical tent. This was all a blur to the boy as he faded in and out of consciousness, his life flashing before his eyes. He wondered what his parents would think. He wished he had been able to speak with them one more time. He wondered how his siblings would fare without him. He wondered why he decided to do this, why he ran away from his simple life, only to die within days. He wondered how he could be so selfish.

Then, he realized he was important. He had an important job within the army, and he felt complete. Dying was worth it, the boy realized. It was worth it because he finally felt whole. He smiled to himself, and looked up at the sky one last time.

 

From the Author: Drummer boys were important during the war because they helped spread orders with their drums, as well as assisting with carrying the injured. The Battle of Mansfield is a battle fought over the Sabine Crossroads within the Ark-La-Tex.