When President Abraham Lincoln called for Union Army volunteers in May 1861, a young Ohio resident named John Clem was among those eager to serve. Despite being not yet ten years old, John Clem attempted to enlist in the newly formed 3rd Ohio regiment. Rejected due to his age, Clem’s determination did not waver. He later sought to join the 22nd Michigan, where his sheer persistence eventually won over the officers.
The officers of the 22nd Michigan, impressed by young John Clem’s resolve, allowed him to follow the regiment. They adopted him as their mascot and unofficial drummer boy. Demonstrating their support, the officers collectively contributed to pay John Clem a monthly salary of $13, recognizing his commitment even before he was officially permitted to enlist in 1863.
The Drummer Boy of Chickamauga
John Clem’s name became nationally recognized due to his courageous actions at the Battle of Chickamauga. By this time armed with a musket specially sawed down to a manageable size for him, Clem joined the 22nd Michigan in the crucial defense of Horseshoe Ridge on the afternoon of September 20th. As Confederate forces encircled their position, a Confederate colonel confronted Clem. Accounts vary, but the colonel reportedly exclaimed something along the lines of, “I think the best thing a mite of a chap like you can do is drop that gun” or, in another version, labeled him a “damned little Yankee devil.”
Alt text: A young John Clem, known as the Drummer Boy of Chickamauga, stands proudly in his Union Army uniform, holding a drum.
Instead of surrendering to the Confederate colonel, John Clem bravely shot at the officer and successfully managed to return to the Union lines amidst the intense fighting. For his conspicuous bravery and action at Chickamauga, John Clem was promoted to the rank of sergeant. This promotion made him the youngest soldier to ever achieve the rank of a noncommissioned officer in the U.S. Army, cementing his legendary status as the “Drummer Boy of Chickamauga.”
The Legend of Johnny Shiloh
Following the Battle of Chickamauga, John Clem’s legend only intensified, though some of the tales surrounding him are likely apocryphal. One popular story claims that his drum was destroyed during the Battle of Shiloh. This event supposedly earned him the enduring nickname “Johnny Shiloh” and even inspired the famous song, “The Drummer Boy of Shiloh.” However, historical records indicate that the 22nd Michigan, John Clem’s regiment, was not formed until the summer after the Battle of Shiloh. This timeline makes it improbable that Clem participated in the Battle of Shiloh with that particular unit.
Alt text: Major General John Clem in his later years, pictured in a formal military portrait, showcasing his distinguished career in the U.S. Army.
Civil War Service and Wounds
Beyond Chickamauga, John Clem continued to serve with distinction throughout the Civil War. He participated in significant battles including Perryville, Murfreesboro, Kennesaw, and Atlanta. During his service in the Atlanta Campaign, Clem sustained wounds on two separate occasions, demonstrating his continued presence on the front lines despite the dangers. John Clem was honorably discharged from the Army in 1864 at the age of just 13, marking the end of his remarkable Civil War service.
Post-Civil War Career and West Point
Despite his young age at the time of his discharge, John Clem sought to rejoin the military later in life, driven by a deep sense of duty and perhaps a love for military service. In 1870, he received a nomination to the prestigious West Point Military Academy from President Ulysses S. Grant, recognizing Clem’s prior service and potential. Although John Clem initially faced challenges and failed the entrance exam several times, President Grant persisted in his belief in Clem. Grant ultimately appointed him a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army, bypassing the traditional West Point entrance.
John Clem proceeded to build a successful and lengthy second military career. He steadily rose through the ranks, eventually achieving the rank of colonel and assistant quartermaster general by 1906. His career culminated in retirement on the eve of the United States’ entry into World War I in 1915, at which time he held the rank of major general. John Clem was notable for being one of the last Civil War veterans still on active duty in the U.S. Army during this period, surpassed in longevity only by Peter Conover Hains, who served an additional two years into World War I.
Retirement and Legacy
Throughout his extraordinary life, John Clem dedicated a total of 44 years and eleven months to official service as a U.S. Army soldier. Major General John Clem passed away in San Antonio, Texas, on May 13, 1937. He was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery, a final tribute to his long and distinguished service to the nation. The story of John Clem, from a rejected young boy to the “Drummer Boy of Chickamauga” and ultimately a Major General, remains an inspiring chapter in American military history, embodying courage, perseverance, and dedication.
