Johnny Clem?

[davepi2]

I spent 3 years of my life in newark, ohio back in the mid 60's, the home of Johnny Clem the drummer boy of Shiloh. I also went to a elementary school named for him. Until recently I had assumed(shouldn't assume, we all know what assumption is the mother of)that the stories I had heard both in Newark and also the Disney movie were if not correct at least close.(Disney does have a way of stretching history). Recently I have seen that many believe that the stories of Shiloh are no more then legend. If there are any experts on his michigan unit he served with or experts on the battle of Shiloh itself who could shed some light on the subject I would appreciate it. He was a boyhood hero too myself and many young boys in newark.

 

[bama46]

I spent 3 years of my life in newark, ohio back in the mid 60's, the home of Johnny Clem the drummer boy of Shiloh. I also went to a elementary school named for him. Until recently I had assumed(shouldn't assume, we all know what assumption is the mother of)that the stories I had heard both in Newark and also the Disney movie were if not correct at least close.(Disney does have a way of stretching history). Recently I have seen that many believe that the stories of Shiloh are no more then legend. If there are any experts on his michigan unit he served with or experts on the battle of Shiloh itself who could shed some light on the subject I would appreciate it. He was a boyhood hero too myself and many young boys in newark.

There are several boys who have claims to being the "Drummer boy of Shiloh". Clem's is the best of them but still inconclusive. There is a grave in White hall, IL (pop 500 or so) that attests on the headstone that the interred was the Drummer boy...." there oare others

 

[Don Dixon]

John Lincoln Clem ran off from Newark, Ohio, with the 22nd Michigan Infantry when he was 10 years old. Since the 22nd was not mustered until 29 Augut 1862, it is unlikely that he served at Shiloh. In time, he became the regimental mascot, and was enlisted as a drummer boy in Company O. The soldiers of the 22nd cut down a ".54" caliber Muster 1854 Austrian infantry rifle to Clem's size, and he was carrying it at Chickamauga when he was twelve. During the battle, Clem became separated from his unit, and was seen by a Confederate colonel, who demanded the boy's surrender. When Clem declined to surrender, the courageous Confederate cavalier drew his sword to ride the boy down. Clem brought up his rifle, and blew the colonel out of his saddle with one well placed shot, seriously wounding him. Clem was promoted to corporal, and awarded the "badge of the roll of honor" by Major General William S. Rosecrans for his actions at Chickamauga. Given that the Federal Army had no awards for valor other than the Medal of Honor, the award would probably be similar to the modern Bronze or Silver Star medal.

In 1871, Clem was nominated for an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy, with the nomination being endorsed by Generals Grant, Sherman, and Sheridan. But, he could not pass the entrance examination due to deficiencies in his education resulting from his wartime service. President U.S. Grant then gave him a direct appointment as a second lieutenant in the 24th Infantry, one of the two black infantry regiments in the post-Civil War U.S. Army. Clem retired in August 1915 as a major general, and as the last Civil War veteran serving on active duty in the U.S. Army.

 

[davepi2]

thank you very much for the information. City leaders in Newark might not appreciate some of it though. Always good too get the real story instead of hollywood's version.

 

[donna]

There is nice memorial to him on find a grave. It is listed as John Lincoln Clem. He died on May 13, 1937 in San Antonio, Texas. He is buried in Arlington Cemetery a tSection 2, Lot 993 Grid S-32.5. There are some good photos on memorial.