Mr. Lincoln's Drummer

[DBF]

Photo from amazon.com (A book by G. Clifton Wisler targeting a young audience)

This morning our local paper featured the story of William "Willie" Johnston the youngest person in U.S. history to receive the Medal of Honor. He was born in 1850 and in December 1861 he would journey with his father to the St. Johnsbury, Vermont train station to begin his service as a drummer boy in Company D, 3rd Vermont Infantry.

Photo from Find a Grave (by Hiltmo)


"The Caledonia-Record"
February 9, 2019
by Robin Smith


DERBY — Willie Johnston left his home in Salem, Vermont, at the age of 11 and followed his father off to serve in the Civil War. Johnston was the only drummer in his division of the 3rd Vermont infantry to keep his drum during the Seven Days Retreat in the Peninsula Campaign in 1862, when most of the troops dropped their weapons and other gear in the retreat. He was asked to play his drum to help the Army revive its spirits after that defeat.

As the story goes, President Lincoln recommended the boy for the Medal of Honor. Union War Secreatry Edwin Stanton presented the medal to Johnston on Sept. 16, 1863, making him the youngest, at 13, to earn it.

Colin Carter of Derby Line has made it his mission to recognize Willie Johnston with a monument in his honor. It's taken a few years and some effort to figure out how to make that happen. Johnston and his story is told in detail in the book "Willie Went To War" by Marius B. Peladeau with research from well-known local Civil War historian and author Tony O'Connor.

One of the interesting side stories is that Willie and his family lived in a town that no longer exists. Salem town was originally located next to the town of Derby, and was annexed by Derby in March 1881. It's fallen to the town of Derby to host the monument to Willie Johnston, if Carter can raise the money needed.

Willie Johnston was born in Morristown, N.Y., in 1850 and moved to Salem in Vermont by way of Montreal, Quebec, according to Carter.

His work in the war earned him a plaque at Berkeley Plantation in Virginia in June 2012 by the Vermont Civil War Hemlocks which states: "At Harrison's Landing on July 4, 1862, Willie Johnston—age 11, 3rd Vermont Drummer Boy played for Div. review. For keeping his drum during the arduous 7 days battles, he was awarded the Medal of Honor by Sec. of War Stanton. He remains the youngest recipient of the Medal of Honor. His grave site is unknown. Dedicated June 2012 The Vermont Civil War Hemlocks."

Photo - Elaine Powell - Wikipedia

Unfortunately little is known about him after his service in the war. He wanted to attend West Point, but was denied and attending briefly Norwich University in Vermont but never graduated. He married, had children, and it is believed that he died September 16, 1941 but his resting place is unknown.

 

[luinrina]

What a brave young lad. Lincoln did well with suggesting Willie for the Medal of Honor for holding onto his drum when everyone else in the division threw aware their gear. Pity hardly anything is known about his life after the war.

Thank you for posting Willie's bio, Donna.

 

[lelliott19]

[Rutland Weekly Herald (Rutland, VT), November 05, 1863, p. 1.]

[Orleans Independent Standard (Irasburgh, VT), November 06, 1863, p. 2.]

[Rutland Weekly Herald (Rutland, VT), February 25, 1864, p. 6.]

 

[JOHN42768]

Young and courageous , a heroic combo

 

[donna]

Wonderful story.

 

[wbull1]

Great story, thanks for sharing

 

[NH Civil War Gal]

It seems odd, dying in 1941, that his grave is unknown. Do they know who he married and where she died? That might be a clue and there might be cemetery records if we know where/who she is. In fact, his children may still be alive, they would be in their late 70s or 80s.

 

[DBF]

Tina - the only statements I have been able to find about Willie is summed up on Wikipedia -
"He moved to Charlestown, Massachusetts, and on March 1, 1870, was married to Nellie Murphy. They had five children, the eldest son being named William Henry Johnston, so it is supposed this was also his father's full name".
I have been told that supposedly his drum sticks are at either the Fairbanks Museum or the St. Johnsbury Heritage House - but I have not had that confirmed. It seems he lived a quiet, unassuming life, not aware of his importance in what he did that day.

 

[NH Civil War Gal]

So we don't even know where his drum is then?

 

[DBF]

He is a mysterious man -

The Vermont Historical page claims that it doesn't appear he took his pension, there is no record and location of his death - but they say he is a "2nd great granduncle" to a fellow in Port Orchard, Washington.

This is another article I found about Willie's life after he was awarded the MOH.

"Nothing is known of Willie's life after this point. He is believed to have enrolled in Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont in 1866, graduating in 1870. After this point, Willie practically vanishes. He may have died in 1936, but even that is debatable. Willie never married or had children. He never requested or drew a pension. Nothing more is known about the life of the youngest Medal of Honor recipient in United States history. This mystery is only confounded by his drum being found in a house in Chelsea, Massachusetts on May 9, 1888. A note attached to the drum read, "Willie Johnston, aged 13, Company D, Third Vermont Regiment. Presented with a medal by Secretary Stanton for carrying this drum through the Seven Days Fight before Richmond, being the only drum carried the last of June and 1st of July." While the mystery surrounding Willie's life after the Civil War is frustrating, the bravery and courage of someone so young in the midst of battle are undeniable."
https://civilwarchildren.wordpress.com/after-the-war-2/willie-johnston/

 

[NH Civil War Gal]

How mysterious and weird! The drum in Mass., possible drumsticks in Vermont, no pension. I wonder if just wandered.