William C Reiff, re George Black

George Black

['Personal', National Tribune 16 January 1890, page 3 (transcribed 7 February 2013, from the Library of Congress, Chronicling America)]

Wm. C. Reiff, Co. H, 91st Pa., Marion, Kan., having seen mention quite frequently of the youngest drummer, private, etc., says that Geo. Black, of his company, was a trifle over 12 years of age when he enlisted in the Fall of 1861. The boy's mother was dead, and his father, George W. Black, was the First Lieutenant. Black and his drum were nearly of equal size. At Fredericksburg little Black, of his own accord, joined in the charge on Marye's Hights [sic] Dec. 13. The boys of the company remonstrated with the little fellow and tried to keep him back, but he was irrepressible, and replied that he was going to follow and stay with his father wherever he went. At Culpeper Courthouse the drummer had his left arm broken by his wounded horse falling upon it, and his right arm was injured by a shell. He is now living, a man nearing 40, and is still as modest as he is brave.


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