Drummer Boy John White

[klhenton]

I am tracing my great grandfather's participation in the Civil War and can make little progress. I know he joined the 16th Infantry as a musician (Chicago, September, 1862), Regular Army, as a drummer boy at age 14. Apparently the band must have been assigned to different regiments as I can find no mention of the 16th Infantry band in Civil War records (other than on his enlistment and pension papers). He was in Murfreesboro and followed the Army of the Cumberland. Supposedly he was a drummer boy of "winning distinction" on many battlefields. He was referred to as "Boy Drummer of the Cumberland". The band was mustered out of service September 1865.

I have found a photo of a "Pvt. John White, Drummer Boy, Virginia Regiment, C.S.A. Could this soldier be my grandfather, John C. White?

I would like to confirm the various regiments he may have been assigned to--if that's possible--so I can trace his Civil War involvement.

If there is interest, I would enjoy sharing a story from the Daily Oswego Palladium (Oswego, New York), circa 1899, about John C. White and his "acquaintence" with an Admiral Russell. I believe it's a story that should be preserved.

 

[AndyHall]

From the NPS Soldiers and Sailors Database:

White, John​

​

Regiment Name: 16th Regiment, US Infantry (Regular Army)​

Side: Union:​

Company:​

Soldier's Rank In:​

Soldier's Rank Out: Musician First Class​

Alternate name:​

Film Number: M233 roll 28​

Notes: See original roster for additional information.​

Plaque Number:​

​

"Drummer Boy of the Cumberland" appears to be an appellation usually given to another young soldier, Avery Brown, pf the 31st Ohio.

It's very unlikely that he's the same John White as the Confederate drummer in the photograph.

Hope this helps, and welcome aboard!

​

​

 

[donna]

Welcome to forum. Glad to have you aboard.

 

[Lazy Bayou]

Welcome from Mississippi...

 

[klhenton]

As soon as I posted I realized the young man in the photo was from the SOUTH! Yikes. I know how to get into trouble. I will continue exploring the forums for leads on my drummer boy. Any input on why I can't trace the 16th Infantry band would be much appreciated.

 

[East Tennessee Roots]

I am tracing my great grandfather's participation in the Civil War and can make little progress. I know he joined the 16th Infantry as a musician (Chicago, September, 1862), Regular Army, as a drummer boy at age 14. Apparently the band must have been assigned to different regiments as I can find no mention of the 16th Infantry band in Civil War records (other than on his enlistment and pension papers). He was in Murfreesboro and followed the Army of the Cumberland. Supposedly he was a drummer boy of "winning distinction" on many battlefields. He was referred to as "Boy Drummer of the Cumberland". The band was mustered out of service September 1865.

I have found a photo of a "Pvt. John White, Drummer Boy, Virginia Regiment, C.S.A. Could this soldier be my grandfather, John C. White?

I would like to confirm the various regiments he may have been assigned to--if that's possible--so I can trace his Civil War involvement.

If there is interest, I would enjoy sharing a story from the Daily Oswego Palladium (Oswego, New York), circa 1899, about John C. White and his "acquaintence" with an Admiral Russell. I believe it's a story that should be preserved.

The following are after battle reports for the 16th U.S. Infantry from the " Official Records " ( some refer to them as the OR. ) Since your ancestor enlisted in September, 1862, chances are good he was with them during the following engagements. Welcome to the forum. Hope you'll share your story !

Stone's River after battle report: Report of Capt. Robert E. A. Crofton, Sixteenth U. S. Infantry. HDQRS. FIRST AND SECOND BATTS., SIXTEENTH INFTY., Camp at Murfreesborough, Tenn., January 10, 1863. COL.: I have the honor to submit the following as a report of the part taken by the First Battalion, and Company B, Second Battalion Sixteenth Infantry, under my command, in the late actions before Murfreesborough during December 31, 1862, and January 1,2,3, and 4, 1863: At 7 o'clock on the morning of December 31, 1862, this command (then under Maj. A. J. Slemmer, Sixteenth Infantry) was ordered to move to the front from the bivouac where we had rested the night previous. We marched about a mile in the direction of Murfreesborough, and were then marched into line of battle on the right of the turnpike, the First Battalion Fifteenth Infantry being on our right, and the First Battalion Eighteenth Infantry on our left. Here we stacked arms and rested for some time. About 9.15 o'clock we were ordered into a thicket of cedars. When we had arrived about three-quarters of a mile from the edge of the thicket, we moved into line of battle, changing our front to the right, to oppose the advancing columns of the enemy. Company B, First Battalion, under command of First Lieut. Bartholomew, was thrown to the front in skirmishing order, to cover the front of our line. In about five minutes these skirmishers were driven in, and formed on the right of the battalion. The enemy was now seen advancing in line, and at the same moment opened a deadly fire on our ranks. The command, however, succeeded in checking their advance, the men behaving with the greatest possible coolness, and aiming with accuracy. The battalion on our right having moved to the rear, it became necessary to fall back, which we did, by the right of companies, to the rear. The men performed this movement with the same order and regularity they would in an ordinary drill. Having fallen back about 100 paces, we came into line, faced to the front, and returned the enemy's fire. Again, for want of support, we were obliged to retire, and did so, as before, for about another 100 yards. Maintaining this position for some minutes, we found it necessary to make a retreat to where we could be supported, as the enemy was moving his line on our right and left, and threatening to surround us. We then moved, by the right of companies, to the rear, out of the woods and across a cotton-field, where the enemy poured musketry and round shot upon us, but without doing much injury. We continued our retreat across the turnpike to the railroad, where we joined the remainder of the brigade, and were ordered to support Battery H, Fifth Artillery. We remained in this position till about 11.30 a.m., when we were again ordered into the cedars. We advanced this time about 30 yards from the edge of the woods, when we became engaged, and a most terrific conflict ensued. Almost at the commencement of this action Maj. A. J. Slemmer was so seriously wounded as to be obliged to fall to the rear. About the same time Adjt. John Power was dangerously wounded. After remaining in this position for about twenty-five minutes, and seeing the right of the brigade retire in order, we were compelled reluctantly to fall back, as the enemy outflanked us on our right and left. The men moved out of the woods by the right of companies with great regularity, notwithstanding the fearful fire to which they were exposed. As we crossed the open field between the woods and railroad, the fire was terrible, and the men fell before it in great numbers, until the enemy were driven back by the fire from Battery H, Fifth Artillery, attached to the brigade. Arriving at the railroad, we again formed and remained with the rest of the brigade in support of the above battery. We continued in this position all the afternoon, continually exposed to artillery fire from the enemy's batteries. About 4 o'clock next morning we were ordered to the rear about a mile, where we obtained some rest. About 8 a.m. we were again put in position on the right center. From this position we were ordered to the right. In the afternoon we were ordered to proceed to Stewart's Creek, and, on arriving within a mile of the creek, were ordered back at a double-quick, when we immediately faced about and retraced our steps in double-quick time. About sundown we arrived near our original position, the men being very much exhausted by hardships they had undergone, and the rapidity of the march. We were moved into bivouac I a belt of woods near the center of the general position. Next morning found us again near the front and center, supporting Battery H, Fifth Artillery. Here we remained in reserve, until about 2 p.m., when we moved back to our bivouac of the night before. Here we remained about half an hour, when we were again ordered to the position occupied by us during the morning, owing to an impetuous attack on the left, under Gen. Crittenden, by the enemy. In this position we remained all the afternoon and that night. Next morning a battery opened on us from the enemy, but was soon silenced by Battery H, Fifth Artillery. We then moved still farther to the front, where we threw up a line of earthworks, and the men slept on their arms in the trenches. That night, so completely were the men exhausted, from want of rest and food, that they slept in about 6 inches of water. Next morning it was discovered that the enemy had abandoned their position and were in full retreat. The command remained guarding these trenches till the morning of January 5, when we marched to Murfreesborough. During these five days the men suffered very much for the want of food, and were so much reduced that some of them ate roasted horseflesh. Fifteen officers and 293 enlisted men went into action. The following is a list of the officers of the command who were engaged: Maj. A. J. Slemmer, Capt.'s R. E. A. Crofton, R. P. Barry, James Biddle, N. L. Dykeman, and J. C. King; First Lieut.'s A. W. Allyn, E. McConnell, W. H. Bartholomew, John Power (battalion adjutant), W. W. Arnold, J. C. Howland, and E. R. Kellogg; Second Lieut.'s S. E. St. Onge and W. G. Wedemeyer. All the officers and men behaved with great coolness and courage, and, notwithstanding the great sufferings it was necessary for them to endure, they performed their duties without a murmur. Subjoined you will find a list of killed, wounded, and missing.* Of the latter number I am convinced that few, if any, are straggles, as some who were at first reported missing it has since been discovered are wounded and were unable to avoid being taken by the enemy. I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, R. E. A. CROFTON, Capt. Sixteenth Infantry, Cmdg. Lieut. Col. O. L. SHEPHERD, Comdg. Brigade Regular Troops. Source: Official Records PAGE 402-29 KY., MID. AND E. TENN., N. ALA., AND SW. VA. [CHAP. XXXII. [Series I. Vol. 20. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 29.]
**************************************************************************************



Chickamagua after battle report: Report of Capt. Robert E. A. Crofton, Sixteenth U. S. Infantry. HDQRS. SIXTEENTH U. S. INFANTRY, Bivouac at Chattanooga, Tenn., September 26, 1863. SIR: I have the honor to report that on the evening of the 18th instant the Sixteenth Infantry, then commanded by Maj. Sidney Coolidge, was ordered, together with the rest of the brigade, to move farther to the left of our then position (Bird's Mill), as the enemy were reported to be massing their force to attack Gen. Crittenden. During the night we marched some 7 miles, when we rested about two hours, and then resumed the march for some 3 miles farther, arriving near Chickamauga Creek about daylight. Here we moved into line of battle, the First Battalion, Eighteenth, being on our right, and the First Battalion, Nineteenth, being on our left; our front was covered by a strong line of skirmishers. Very soon the skirmishers on our left opened fire, and almost immediately it extended along the entire line. After a pretty sharp skirmish fire the enemy broke, and we drove him about three-quarters of a mile, taking several prisoners and killing and wounding several. From this point we moved changing our front to the right, and were ordered to support Battery H, Fifth Artillery, on a ridge about a quarter of a mile from our last position. We were formed directly in front on the guns, and the men ordered to lie down. Here, without any warning whatever, the rebels came up on our right flank and got right on us before any disposition could be made to meet them. Consequently nearly the entire battalion was killed, wounded, or captured, and at the same time the battery was also taken. Of the men engaged in this action, about 62 escaped, some of them slightly wounded. This remnant was, by order of Gen. King, attached to the Nineteenth Infantry, and remained with the battalion during the two succeeding days' fight. The following is a tabular statement of casualties* during the battle. I also append a list of officers wounded and missing:+ Taken into action: Commissioned officers, 19; enlisted men, 289. Killed: Enlisted men, 10. Wounded: Commissioned officers, 3; enlisted men, 13. Wounded and missing: Commissioned officers, 10. Missing: Commissioned officers, 1; enlisted men, 204. Taken out of action: Commissioned officers, 5; enlisted men, 62. I have great pleasure in stating that both officers and men of the battalion behaved with the utmost gallantry. I take the greatest pleasure in mentioning my adjutant, First Lieut. H. H. Clark, who rendered most efficient service, but was most unfortunately seriously wounded. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, R. E. A. CROFTON, Capt. Sixteenth Infantry, Comdg. Capt. JAMES W. FORSYTH, Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen., Third Brigade. Source: Official Records CHAP. XLII.] THE CHICKAMAUGA CAMPAIGN. PAGE 319-50 [Series I. Vol. 30. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 50.] ********************************************************************************** Reports of Capt. Robert P. Barry, Sixteenth U. S. Infantry. CAMP SIXTEENTH U. S. INFANTRY, Atlanta, Ga., September 18, 1864. CAPT.: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of the Sixteenth U. S. Infantry during the Atlanta campaign, 1864: The command--consisting of the First Battalion, commanded by Capt. Stanton, and the Second, Capt. Barry--left Graysville, Ga., May 3, about 500 strong, all under command of Capt. Stanton, and proceeded to Ringgold, Ga., leaving that place the 7th and marching to Buzzard Roost, Ga., where forty-five recruits and four officers joined us. Took part in the action of that place, losing only a few men. On the 12th May we moved through Snake Creek Gap, and on the advance from there left the knapsacks of the men, an unfortunate act, as it was the cause of much future suffering from exposure by the men. Took part in the in movements on Resaca May 14, 15, and 16, and on its evacuation marched to Kingston and thence to near Cassville, where we lay in camp three days. Here our wagons carrying the officers' baggage were taken away, reducing them for the rest of the campaign to the same condition as the men and entailing great misery. Here also three more officers joined us, among them Capt. E. Gay, who assumed command of the detachment; one officer also left us on detached service. On the 24th we crossed the Etowah River and moved through the Allatoona Mountain, meeting the enemy on the 27th at New Hope Church, where we acted as support to Wood's division. Evening prevented our being called into action, so we merely, with the rest of the brigade, covered the withdrawal of his troops and threw up works on the ground we held. The following day we lost heavily skirmishing with the enemy, and during the ten days' operations at that point, in addition to much suffering from wet and exposure, lost many men in killed and wounded. On the night of the 29th May two companies, A (First) and C Second), gallantly charged and took a hill in our front, which was then fortified by the Second, Eighteenth U. S. Infantry, Capt. Fetterman. The rebels charged this position the 31st, and we aided the Second, Eighteenth, in repulsing them. The rebels having evacuated New Hope the 4th June, we lay in camp till the 9th, when we moved against them in their position at Lost Mountain, and on its evacuation took part in the operations against Kenesaw Mountain. On the evacuation of this point, July 3, we followed them closely, four companies supporting a section of artillery on the skirmish line. On the 4th of July we endured for several hours a severe cannonade, losing a number of men killed and wounded. On the 6th we reached the banks of the Chattahoochee and lay in camp till the 17th, here partially refitting and reclothing the command. Crossed the Chattahoochee the 17th. On the 22d, in conjunction with the brigade, acted as support for the division, suffering a demoralizing artillery fire and losing a number of men. On the 23d threw up works two and a half miles from Atlanta, where we lay till August 3, when we moved to the right and took position on Utoy Creek, August 6. Abandoned our works the night of the 26th of August, leaving out a skirmish line, and took part in the movement to Jonesborough, halting a day at Red Oak and tearing up the Atlanta and West Point Railroad; thence we proceeded to Jonesborough, and on the morning of the 1st, skirmished and drove the rebels, and later in the day took part in the gallant and successful assault on the enemy, losing 2 officers wounded; enlisted men, 2 killed, 29 wounded. From Jonesborough we returned to Atlanta the 8th of September and encamped. The patience and cheerfulness with which the command endured the hardships, exposure, and sufferings of this long and weary campaign is deserving of all praise. The total casualties of the campaign are: Killed--enlisted men, 17. Wounded--officers, 2; enlisted men, 93. Missing--enlisted men, 10. Total--officers, 2; enlisted men, 120. I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, R. P. BARRY, Capt., Sixteenth U. S. Infantry. Capt. W. J. FETTERMAN, Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., 2d Brig., 1st Div., 14th Army Corps. ----- HDQRS. DETACHMENT SIXTEENTH U. S. INFANTRY, Jonesborough, Ga., September 3, 1864. CAPT.: In giving an account of the part taken by the Sixteenth U. S. Infantry in the battle before Jonesborough, September 1, 1864, I have the honor to report that about 12 m. on the 1st instant the Sixteenth went out as skirmishers for the brigade, with instructions to press the enemy vigorously. Soon after deploying, the rebel skirmishers, suppobted by one piece of artillery, were met, but were steadily and rapidly driven for nearly two miles. On gaining the Atlanta and Macon Railroad the skirmish line halted; we were the first troops on the railroad. The battalion, being now relieved by the Third Brigade, formed in line of battle on the left of its own brigade. About 3 p. m. the line of battle advanced through a dense thicket, so dense as to be almost impassable for infantry, and finally emerged into a wide open field, on the opposite side of which, in the edge of the woods on the crest of a hill, lay the rebel line of battle behind temporary works thrown up by them. Halting a moment to breathe and reform, the battalion then pushed forward at a doublequick under a severe fire of the enemy. Holding its fire till near the enemy's line, the battalion closed on the enemy with a rush, driving them back into the woods. The position thus gained was held without flinching for over half an hour, the Sixteenth stubbornly clinging to its position even after the troops on its right had given way temporarily, repulsing also a charge then made by the enemy to dislodge it. About 5 p. m. a portion of Moore's (Third) brigade relieved us, when the battalion quietly reformed and marched in perfect order down the slope, forming line on the left of the brigade again. At dark we moved forward and threw up works on the right of Moore's brigade. The officers and men of this regiment deserve great praise. After a long march in the morning, they skirmished for several hours, driving the enemy miles, continually charging at a double-quick, then, without rest or food, forming line of battle and charging the enemy through a dense thicket and over a wide field, driving back the rebels and stubbornly holding the position thus gained, though without support part of the time either on right or left. All deserve praise, but it will not prove invidious to others to particularize the conduct of Second Lieut. Charles W. Hotsenpiller, acting adjutant, who, both on the skirmish line and when in line of battle, did gallant duty with his former company, which was without an officer. I regret to add that shortly after driving the rebels from the woods, First Lieut. E. R. Kellogg, a most gallant and efficient officer, was badly wounded, and Lieut. E. McConnell slightly. The officers engaged were Capts. S. S. Robinson and James Biddie, First Lieuts. L. S. Strickland, E. McConnell, E. R. Kellogg, F. H. Torbett, S. E. St. Onge, battalion quartermaster, and Second Lieut. C. W. Hotsenpiller, acting adjutant. The battalion carried 250 muskets into action and 9 officers, counting field and staff. The casualties were: Killed--privates, 2. Wounded--officers, 2; sergeants, 2; corporals, 1; privates, 26; total, 31. Aggregate, 33. I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, R. P. BARRY Capt., Sixteenth U S. Infantry, Cmdg. Capt. W. J. FETTERMAN, Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., 2d Brig., 1st Div., 14th Army Corps. Source: Official Records PAGE 575-72 THE ATLANTA CAMPAIGN. [CHAP. L. [Series I. Vol. 38. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 72.