Lt. John Lincoln Clem
The Drummer Boy of Chickamauga
John Lincoln Clem was probably the most famous boy who served in the Civil War. Born in Newark, Ohio in 1851, he ran away from home at the age of nine(9) and attempted to enlist in the Third Ohio Volunteers but was rejected because of his youth. He then unofficially attached himself to the Twenty-Second Michigan Infantry which was a colored unit of the Union Army. At the Battle of Shiloh, he served as a Drummer Boy where his drum was destroyed by a piece of cannon shell while being carried on the shoulders of his colored sergeant.
Little Johnny Clem later became an official soldier in 1863. He gained notoriety at age twelve (12) when he killed a Rebel Colonel who was about to capture him at the Battle of Chickamauga in Georgia. Later in that same battle, he was captured with others in his unit but managed to escape in the confusion of the battle.
He became well known as the youngest and smallest recruit of the Union Army as well as for his heroic actions in other Civil War Battles. He was captured in Georgia by the Confederate Cavalry while detailed as a train guard and later released on a “Prisoners Exchange”.
Little Johnny Clem went on to become an officer and retired in 1915 at the rank of Major General. He was the last Civil War veteran on the Army rolls at the time of his retirement. He was 85 years old when he died on May 13, 1937 and
is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Galesville is proud to claim Johnny Clem in the history of its town. In 1878, after the officer of Galesville University petitioned the War Department to provide an instructor in Military Tactics, Lieutenant John Clem reported to Gale
College to carry out his duties. His popularity drew much interest and the attendance of students at Gale College increased significantly. Because of the increased enrollment, there was a need for more room, and in 1881 the building
which was originally two stores high was enlarged by the addition of a third story.
John Lincoln Clem was probably the most famous boy who served in the Civil War. Born in Newark, Ohio in 1851, he ran away from home at the age of nine(9) and attempted to enlist in the Third Ohio Volunteers but was rejected because of his youth. He then unofficially attached himself to the Twenty-Second Michigan Infantry which was a colored unit of the Union Army. At the Battle of Shiloh, he served as a Drummer Boy where his drum was destroyed by a piece of cannon shell while being carried on the shoulders of his colored sergeant.
Little Johnny Clem later became an official soldier in 1863. He gained notoriety at age twelve (12) when he killed a Rebel Colonel who was about to capture him at the Battle of Chickamauga in Georgia. Later in that same battle, he was captured with others in his unit but managed to escape in the confusion of the battle.
He became well known as the youngest and smallest recruit of the Union Army as well as for his heroic actions in other Civil War Battles. He was captured in Georgia by the Confederate Cavalry while detailed as a train guard and later released on a “Prisoners Exchange”.
Little Johnny Clem went on to become an officer and retired in 1915 at the rank of Major General. He was the last Civil War veteran on the Army rolls at the time of his retirement. He was 85 years old when he died on May 13, 1937 and
is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Galesville is proud to claim Johnny Clem in the history of its town. In 1878, after the officer of Galesville University petitioned the War Department to provide an instructor in Military Tactics, Lieutenant John Clem reported to Gale
College to carry out his duties. His popularity drew much interest and the attendance of students at Gale College increased significantly. Because of the increased enrollment, there was a need for more room, and in 1881 the building
which was originally two stores high was enlarged by the addition of a third story.