NY Photos of the Drummer Boy's Grave as Night Falls on Greenwood Cemetery in Brooklyn

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The Drummer Boy is laid to rest in the Soldier's Plot at Greenwood which was created to meet the needs of Brooklyn families that did not want their loved ones in the nearby national cemetery.
Eternally beating the long roll.
 
Thanks, Pat, for posting these photos. Each individual soldier whose life is made known to us gives us a deeper sense of the tragedy of this war or any war. Imagine the grief of this young lad's parents on learning of his needless death. He should have been at home playing with him friends, bless him.
 
Glad this made it to featured thread status. Topic/subject matter is simply amazing. Such gems all across America.
 
Some additional info:

On June 11, Private McCormick of Company B, 13th NYSM, borrowed a musket from a comrade who was acting as a cook. Practicing the manual of arms a few minutes before drill, McCormick came to the position of "charge bayonet" and pulled the trigger of his piece, discharging it. Clarence McKenzie was sitting on the ground reading his Bible when the bullet struck him in the back and exited from his stomach. It was three o'clock. He lasted for two hours, cradled in Captain Balsdon's arms. Confusion over the shock gave way to anger and Clarence demanded that the Captain have McCormick shot, but he then began to worry about the effect of the news on his parents. The 13th formed up the next morning to escort the remains, in a crate of ice, to the railroad station. Captain Balsdon, four soldiers, and William returned to the McKenzie home at #23 Liberty Street.


At 4 PM on July 14, a funeral service was held at St John's Church within a few blocks of where the GAR Plaza now stands. Miles away, in Virginia, Mr. Lincoln's army was preparing for its move toward Manassas and Major Sullivan Ballou of the Second Rhode Island Volunteers wrote a poignant letter to his wife Sarah. Rev. Elijah Guion, who would later become chaplain of the 1st New Orleans US Volunteers, preached Clarence's eulogy, charging the conspirators of the South with all wartime evils and calling his audience to support the government, thereby avenging Clarence McKenzie's death at the age of 12 years, 3 months, and 20 days. Blind Rev. McClelland made touching remarks to the children who were present.

Clarence was buried in Greenwood Cemetery, where a white bronze marker stands today topped by a statue of him playing his drum. It was said that his dog "Jack" returned to the cemetery daily for weeks, waiting by the freshly-turned earth.
 
Thanks, Pat, for posting these photos. Each individual soldier whose life is made known to us gives us a deeper sense of the tragedy of this war or any war. Imagine the grief of this young lad's parents on learning of his needless death. He should have been at home playing with him friends, bless him.
Yes, it was a tragedy for his family.
 
Some additional info:

On June 11, Private McCormick of Company B, 13th NYSM, borrowed a musket from a comrade who was acting as a cook. Practicing the manual of arms a few minutes before drill, McCormick came to the position of "charge bayonet" and pulled the trigger of his piece, discharging it. Clarence McKenzie was sitting on the ground reading his Bible when the bullet struck him in the back and exited from his stomach. It was three o'clock. He lasted for two hours, cradled in Captain Balsdon's arms. Confusion over the shock gave way to anger and Clarence demanded that the Captain have McCormick shot, but he then began to worry about the effect of the news on his parents. The 13th formed up the next morning to escort the remains, in a crate of ice, to the railroad station. Captain Balsdon, four soldiers, and William returned to the McKenzie home at #23 Liberty Street.


At 4 PM on July 14, a funeral service was held at St John's Church within a few blocks of where the GAR Plaza now stands. Miles away, in Virginia, Mr. Lincoln's army was preparing for its move toward Manassas and Major Sullivan Ballou of the Second Rhode Island Volunteers wrote a poignant letter to his wife Sarah. Rev. Elijah Guion, who would later become chaplain of the 1st New Orleans US Volunteers, preached Clarence's eulogy, charging the conspirators of the South with all wartime evils and calling his audience to support the government, thereby avenging Clarence McKenzie's death at the age of 12 years, 3 months, and 20 days. Blind Rev. McClelland made touching remarks to the children who were present.

Clarence was buried in Greenwood Cemetery, where a white bronze marker stands today topped by a statue of him playing his drum. It was said that his dog "Jack" returned to the cemetery daily for weeks, waiting by the freshly-turned earth.
Thanks for adding to the thread.
 
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Brooklyn Daily Eagle, 15 June 1861.
 
Thanks Pat for this interesting but also sad story of this little drummer boy. Like so many young lives who served and died not just in the American Civil War but in all wars. Some will be remembered others not but for this young drummer he will be. Rest In Peace.
 
A tragic story, unfortunately all wars are full of them, but the ones from our war seem to be the most heart wrenching. We knew these people, they were fathers, sons and daughters. We read about them, or we hear family stories about them. Yes we know them all too well. Children dying in war, perhaps the worst. People die for freedom, even the children.
 
Pat. is there a written history of this cemetery that I can purchase? Thanks for sharing this interesting information. David.
you can start with the web site:
https://www.green-wood.com/

The cemetery has several books out on different aspects of its history. Since a significant part of the Revolutionary War Battle of Long Island was fought there, they have stuff on its Revolutionary War significance.

Here is a link to its Civil War bios of the people buried there:
https://www.green-wood.com/2015/civil-war-biographies-introduction/

Here is the link to the actual bios organized alphabetically. This is really amazing:
https://www.green-wood.com/2015/civil-war-biographies-archive/
 
you can start with the web site:
https://www.green-wood.com/

The cemetery has several books out on different aspects of its history. Since a significant part of the Revolutionary War Battle of Long Island was fought there, they have stuff on its Revolutionary War significance.

Here is a link to its Civil War bios of the people buried there:
https://www.green-wood.com/2015/civil-war-biographies-introduction/

Here is the link to the actual bios organized alphabetically. This is really amazing:
https://www.green-wood.com/2015/civil-war-biographies-archive/
Pat. Thank you very much for the information. I really appreciate it. David.
 
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