Boys to Men

    No one knows how many soldiers in the American Civil War were under the age of seventeen at enlistment. The majority of records do not list age or date of birth. From the information we do have it is safe to say that tens of thousands of soldiers were between the ages of 11 and 17.

    Many entered the service as musicians. Some of the drummers were so short that their regulation drums dragged the ground as they marched. Smaller drums had to be obtained for them to use. A large number of these young buglers, fifers and drummers became members of fighting units soon after being mustered in.

    William Horsfall was 14 years old when he ran away from his home in Kentucky to join the Confederate Army as a drummer. Just one year later he fought as a sharpshooter in Mississippi where he earned the Medal of Honor for dragging a wounded captain off the battlefield. It is interesting to note that he did so after being asked by a lieutenant who was probably older and stronger than William.

    As always, the photos on this blog are mine. The information is taken from the book "Babes in Arms. Boy Soldiers in the Civil War" by Anne Palagruto, published in 2010, pages 112-113.

Going, Going, Almost Gone!

    Kira and I went for a walk at one of our state parks today. We went early in the morning so we would have the place all to ourselves.
    Kira is quite an enthusiastic walker. She had a wonderful time and so did I. How funny it is that the federal government had to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on a study to learn what we all knew anyway. Walking with a dog is much more fun than walking alone.
    We reached an overlook surrounded by a beautiful stone wall. Many of the walls in our parks were built during the Great Depression by the Civilian Conservation Corps and I always enjoy looking at them. From this particular overlook there is a 144 foot drop to the river below.
    As we entered the area Kira shot forward, threw her front feet up onto the top of the wall, and dug her back claws into the vertical surface as she prepared to launch herself into the great unknown. Only a quick shout from me accompanied by a firm tug on the leash brought her safely to earth. On my side of the wall.
    Next week I revisit the Civil War. I hope you will join me.
  

Rainbows and Blueberries

    "The work will wait while you show the child the rainbow, but the rainbow won't wait while you do the work." 

         author unknown

         

     My grandson came over Sunday. Spring has come to us early so I took him for a walk outside.
    Actually, I walked. He is always carried like the son of an Egyptian pharaoh.
    A breeze blew the baby's hair and he raised his eyebrows. A hawk cried overhead. I helped Jacob touch his fat little hands to the flowering trees while the crow cawed a warning to his flock that we were about.
    I had toured the same yard the day before. With a child in my arms  I noticed for the first time how pretty the blueberry bush is when in bloom. I resolved to get up early the next morning and take a photo in the soft just-after-dawn light.
    Thank you, Jake, for showing me this.