The Little Drummer-Boy

By Albert Bushnell Hart (Adapted)

A few days before a certain regiment received orders to join General Lyon, on his march to Wilson's Creek, the drummer-boy of the regiment was taken sick, and carried to the hospital.

Shortly after this there appeared before the captain's quarters, during the beating of the reveille, a good-looking, middle-aged woman, dressed in deep mourning, leading by the hand a sharp, sprightly looking boy, apparently about twelve or thirteen years of age.

Her story was soon told. She was from East Tennessee, where her husband had been killed by the Confederates, and all her property destroyed. Being destitute, she thought that if she could procure a situation for her boy as drummer, she could find employment for herself.

While she told her story, the little fellow kept his eyes intently fixed upon the countenance of the captain. And just as the latter was about to say that he could not take so small a boy, the lad spoke out:

"Don't be afraid, Captain," said he, "I can drum."

This was spoken with so much confidence that the captain smiled and said to the sergeant:

"Well, well, bring the drum, and order our fifer to come here."

In a few moments a drum was produced and the fifer, a round-shouldered, good-natured fellow, who stood six feet tall, made his appearance. Upon being introduced to the lad, he stooped down, resting his hands on his knees, and, after peering into the little fellow's face for a moment, said:

"My little man, can you drum?"

"Yes, sir," answered the boy promptly. "I drummed for Captain Hill in Tennessee."

The fifer immediately straightened himself, and, placing his fife to his lips, played the "Flowers of Edinburgh," one of the most difficult things to follow with the drum. And nobly did the little fellow follow him, showing himself to be master of the drum.

When the music ceased the captain turned to the mother and observed:

"Madam, I will take the boy. What is his name?"

"Edward Lee," she replied. Then placing her hand upon the captain's arm, she continued in a choking voice, "If he is not killed, Captain, you will bring him back to me?"

"Yes, yes," he replied, "we shall be certain to bring him back to you. We shall be discharged in six weeks."

An hour after, the company led the regiment out of camp, the drum and fife playing "The Girl I left behind me."

Eddie, as the soldiers called him, soon became a great favorite with all the men of the company. When any of the boys returned from foraging, Eddie's share of the peaches, melons, and other good things was meted out first. During the heavy and fatiguing marches, the long-legged fifer often waded through the mud with the little drummer mounted on his back, and in the same fashion he carried Eddie when fording streams.

During the fight at Wilson's Creek, a part of the company was stationed on the right of Totten's battery, while the balance of the company was ordered down into a deep ravine, at the left, in which it was known a party of Confederates was concealed.

An engagement took place. The contest in the ravine continued some time. Totten suddenly wheeled his battery upon the enemy in that quarter, and they soon retreated to high ground behind their lines.

In less than twenty minutes after Totten had driven the Confederates from the ravine, the word passed from man to man throughout the army, "Lyon is killed!" And soon after, hostilities having ceased upon both sides, the order came for the main part of the Federal force to fall back upon Springfield, while the lesser part was to camp upon the ground, and cover the retreat.

That night a corporal was detailed for guard duty. His post was upon a high eminence that overlooked the deep ravine in which the men had engaged the enemy. It was a dreary, lonesome beat. The hours passed slowly away, and at length the morning light began to streak along the western sky, making surrounding objects visible.

Presently the corporal heard a drum beating up the morning call. At first he thought it came from the camp of the Confederates across the creek, but as he listened he found that it came from the deep ravine. For a few moments the sound stopped, then began again. The corporal listened closely. The notes of the drum were familiar to him - and then he knew that it was the drummer-boy from Tennessee playing the morning call.

Just then the corporal was relieved from guard duty, and, asking permission, went at once to Eddie's assistance. He started down the hill, through the thick underbrush, and upon reaching the bottom of the ravine, he followed the sound of the drum, and soon found the lad seated upon the ground, his back leaning against a fallen tree, while his drum hung upon a bush in front of him.

As soon as the boy saw his rescuer he dropped his drumsticks, and exclaimed:

"O Corporal! I am so glad to see you! Give me a drink."

The soldier took his empty canteen, and immediately turned to bring some water from the brook that he could hear rippling through the bushes near by, when, Eddie, thinking that he was about to leave him, cried out:

"Don't leave me, Corporal, I can't walk."

The corporal was soon back with the water, when he discovered that both the lad's feet had been shot away by a cannon-ball.

After satisfying his thirst, Eddie looked up into the corporal's face and said:

"You don't think I shall die, do you? This man said I should not - he said the surgeon could cure my feet."

The corporal now looked about him and discovered a man lying in the grass near by. By his dress he knew him to belong to the Confederate army. It appeared that he had been shot and had fallen near Eddie. Knowing that he could not live, and seeing the condition of the drummer- boy, he had crawled to him, taken off his buckskin suspenders, and had corded the little fellow's legs below the knees, and then he had laid himself down and died.

While Eddie was telling the corporal these particulars, they heard the tramp of cavalry coming down the ravine, and in a moment a scout of the enemy was upon them, and took them both prisoners.

The corporal requested the officer in charge to take Eddie up in front of him, and he did so, carrying the lad with great tenderness and care. When they reached the Confederate camp the little fellow was dead.

The joys of a Saturday Morning

Oh how I looked forward to Saturday morning in my youth. School all week, and then ......... Saturday Morning, it seemed to have more importance than Saturday afternoon or Sunday. I could sleep in late, but generally woke up early so I didn't miss any of the day.

There were some great Saturday morning radio shows. The first two that come to mind are “Let’s Pretend” and “Big Jon and Sparkie.” (There are a few of their shows on thede links)

It seemed like the weather was always nice on Saturday morning, or at least those are the ones I remember.

Later, in the 50's at The Citadel, we always had SMI, Saturday Morning Inspection. The rooms had to be spotless, everything in its place and those old wood floors were bleached, almost white. They became routine, but the work and preparation were always the same.

I guess, in the Navy, I think in San Diego, we had the weekends off when I had the "Discharge Desk." We discharged on Wednesday and Friday, some weekends I had the "Duty" but most were off. Trips to Vegas, Los Angeles or somewhere, almost every weekend. Aboard ship for two years, the days ran all together.

Up until a few years ago I would do something either on Saturday or Sunday morning, drive to Columbus or Zanesville, just a mini vacation. On a couple of occasions I drove to Michigan, once to Tawas, just to get a haircut. After one of my Kidney Stone operations, I got in the car, headed to Michigan, "ostomy bag" and all. Spent a few days just driving around. The "bag" leaked and I headed home. Hardly remember the trip at all.

It is 57 degrees in Ohio, sun is shining, a little chilly for the time of year, but nice. I can't do donuts anymore, our Meijers store closed yesterday.

Remember the reason for the holiday weekend. Visit a cemetery, look for the flags, and say "Thanks."Burgers and wieners are only a part of it

Well, it finally happened

Well, it happened today, I guess I wasn't shocked, I had just never given it a lot of thought before.

My wife does some secret shop visits, did two today at freeway truck stops. Each one took maybe forty five minutes, so I spent some time in the parking lot, near the entrances, so I did a lot of people watching while I waited, and  it was quite busy, Memorial Day and all, a steady stream of people paying for gas, getting snacks to eat and a whole lot of bottles of water.

Mid-way through the second stop, at the TA station and store, I suddenly realized that I am now one of a  minority, white, male, Caucasian.

Then I started wondering why, so many different ethnic groups were celebrating Memorial Day, or perhaps they were just all traveling, coincidentally.

I now have a slight insight into what it is like being in a minority.  Regardless of race or ethnic background, or whatever country a person comes from, they love Popeye's Chicken, Pizza Hut and bottled water, and, after seeing all those hot, tired exhausted folks, I was glad we weren't traveling, just getting two Jimmie John's subs and going home.

I can't wait!

What is the alternative when a person "Can't Wait." A reporter on TV announced a guest for an up coming show, and she said, "I can't wait."

So, what can she do. She obviously will have to wait, but I ask, why can't she wait?

My "kids" (they aren't kids, they are grown up) are coming to Ohio in August for an early birthday celebration for my 80th birthday. I can't wait, so what's my alternative? I guess I will just have to wait.

I wonder what my next blog will be about, I can't wait to see it.

2,489,335

2,489,335, about the size of Chicago. The number of American troops killed in wars. Each one of those, that make up that number, left home and family behind, and headed off to a war they knew little about.

TWO MILLION

FOUR HUNDRED AND EIGHTY NINE THOUSAND

THREE HUNDRED AND THIRTY FIVE

This weekend, we take this one day out of the year, out of respect and in remembrance of all of those who died. And, that number is still growing, each day.

Some were taken into service, some volunteered.

Just think, for a moment, of leaving the life you live now, saying goodbye and walking away from that life, and entering a new  life of rigorous training, of learning new ways, uncertainty, and the possibility of never returning to your home, and the lifestyle you left behind. Each of those two million plus persons, gave their lives. Chicago is gone, erased, wiped away.

I still vividly remember neighbors, patients of Dad's, friends, standing at our front door on Brown Street in Dayton, Ohio, in tears, they had been notified of the loss of a son or husband. Another GOLD star to be hung in their window. I remember walking to Emerson Junior High School, seeing a GOLD star hanging in a window, and taking a very brief moment to reflect, reverently, perhaps bow the head a little, and then head on my way. Evan way back then, I understood the significance of their loss.

Take a moment to remember this weekend .................

Memorial Day - To Me

Another Memorial Day is approaching. Does not seem like it was that long ago that I wrote  my annual blog. My Grandfather, Caleb Dooley, was in the Civil War. He was in an Indiana Regiment, and was mustered out of the Army somewhere in Texas.

Ralph Dean Dooley, my Father was in WWI. He was involved in may campaigns in Germany. He was  too young to enlist, but somehow manged to do it. He tells of looking back, as the train pulls out, of seeing his aging father, gazing at him, Caleb, knowing of the horrors of war,going off to serve his country. My Dad  tells of getting a break from his duties in a bunker, and going "topside" for a smoke. Some of his friends were playing poker on an ammunition box, and invited him to sit in. Instead, he walked off a way to spend some time in thought. A German shell dropped in the center off the box, killing all of those who were playing. His guardian angel was again looking out for him.

My Brother, Dean Shannon Dooley was in WWII, in the Submarine Service. After he graduated from DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, he went through a V-12 Program at Great Lakes and received his commission. He went through submarine training, and was assigned to the S-11. On one occasion, he was coming home on leave. We were anxiously awaiting the time to go pick him up, and we received a telegram. LOST ISWAS STOP BE HOME SATURDAY NIGHT STOP DEAN STOP  We were concerned that he had lost his mind. Turned out an ISWAS was some sort of a device used on subs. IS here, WAS there.

I was in the Korean War, two years in San Diego in the Discipline Office, discharging the "bad boys" in the Eleventh Naval District. Did that for two years and then spent two years about the USS William Mitchell TAP114.

My Son Dean served during Viet Nam and my youngest Son Brad, was in Desert Storm, both in the Navy. Brad was in a Stinger Missile detachment aboard the USS Elrod.

We have done our share. I hope that my Grandchildren and their children never have to go through another war.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a federal holiday observed annually in the United States on the last Monday of May.

Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War.

 By the 20th century Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died in all wars.

Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.

 As a marker it typically marks the start of the summer vacation season, while Labor Day marks its end.

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND 2011

We have a lot of Holidays during the year, but I think that there is no day, during the year, that should be given more thought and consideration, than this. They "Served The Country." I really don't think that we give enough respect for those who Served, and even more, those who died, while serving.

Think what it means, to leave your home and family,  learn a whole new way of life, a new routine, new friends, training, whose end result is self preservation, or killing an unknown enemy. A person who was brought up learning "not to kill," is now being trained on "how to kill."

Eventually, perhaps, to be put in a situation where those around you are being killed, you see comrades falling to the ground, you are placed in a "kill or be killed" situation. For your country, perhaps a country that has not been that beneficial to you, that has not produced the bounties that others had received. And, here you are, possibly dying  for that ideology. They say, dying so that those back home can live. Millions have died, millions more have served.

They fought and died for this "ship of state," but now, the "ship" is floundering, greatly in need of repair, slowly sinking, and it appears that the leaks cannot be fixed.

Just think, millions have died, millions left home, millions went to foreign lands, and nothing has been determine or decided yet. WWI, WWII, Korea, Viet Nam, Desert Storm, wars are still raging, people are still dying, men, boys and women are still leaving their homes, still dying.

So, this one day, take a five minute break from your routine, try to visualize, leaving home, leaving your family, undergoing a training that is completely opposite to the training you have had so far, visualize facing an enemy, being in a kill or be killed situation, all alone, in a  foreign land.

No one gives up more, than a Veteran.

Why was there a WWI, Why did the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor, Why did Germany want to "rule the world," what was the problem in Korea, Where was Desert Storm, What was gained in Viet Nam.

YOU will need more than a day to answer all these questions. Just say "Thanks," and take a moment on this day, to Remember.

I will, my Grandfather served in the Civil War, my Father was in WWI, my Brother was in WWII, I served in the Navy during the Korean War, my Son Dean, served during Viet Nam, and my Son Brad served during Desert Storm.

Thank a Veteran this Memorial Day, it is MORE than just a Holiday or a day off.

MEMORIAL DAY TRIBUTES

Memorial Day

Memorial Day 2010

The year that the president did not participate, which is fine with me. I think he has done nothing to warrant being a commander in chief, and in my opinion, it is an insult to all Veterans when he salutes them. I remember from my old Navy days, the expression was, "You are saluting the uniform and the rank, not the man." That served well when there was some officer that you didn't like.

They at least had done something to attain their rank. If I was in the service, I would have a difficult time if the occasion arouse that I had to salute the president. My resentment reflects itself in never capitalizing his name, or that of the office he holds.

My Father often told of his experience when he went off to war in WWI. He vividly remembered the look on his Father's face. His Father had served in the Civil War, and was aware of what was ahead for his son.

My Dad wrote me a letter and handed it to me as I boarded a train on my way into the Navy in 1952.

I remember that morning when our son Brad left for the Navy. We had to get up early, and the recruiter picked him up, and it happened so fast. He was out the door and into the waiting car, they drove off, and we just stood there and my wife and I both cried. All of a sudden, Brad was gone. Perhaps the most empty feeling I have ever experienced.

And that empty feeling has been experienced by millions of families, the day the son or daughter goes to war. Veterans gave up so much of their lives, to become Veterans, and many actually gave their lives.

Just think about what that actually means. A person leaves their family and home, perhaps leave a house that has been their home all of their lives, to that eventful day, the day they went into the service. In the service they are subjected to a vigorous training program, and then, perhaps an extensive training program to learn a particular skill or trade.

They have raised their arm, taken their oath, and now have their "service obligation." They take their orders, and generally, do what they are told.

In some cases they are put in harms way, and many have given their lives. None of them wanted to do that, but they "gave their life for their country." And that is what Memorial Day is for. To give some thought, to say a prayer for and in some way, pay our respects, for all Veterans, but especially those who gave their life. Just think about that phrase .... "gave their life for their country," the ultimate sacrifice.

So, at least, spend a minute or two, on Memorial Day, and think about that phrase, what it means, and be thankful for those that sacrificed.....

Absent-in-Chief: Obama MIA for Memorial Day, Vacationing as Spill Worsens

I, for one, am glad to see him NOT participating in Memorial Day Ceremonies. In my opinion he has NO right to do so, in any way. Hopefully, the traditions will live on, without the man who REALLY DOES NOT deserve to be there .... MAYBE he has experienced a "moment" and thinks he is doing the  right thing. I would, however, rather see him in Louisiana, sleeves rolled up, covered in oil, helping some poor bird. He probably would blame the bird for landing in the sludge.

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 12:58 PM
Already under increasing fire for his handling of an oil spill that many experts now say will be the worst environmental disaster in U.S. history, President Barack Obama is riling conservatives and veterans with his decision to skip the traditional Memorial Day ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery.

Instead, he will vacation in Chicago.

The decision not only has angered conservative pundits such as Glenn Beck but also has riled military families and others who expect the president to follow tradition on the day reserved for honoring the sacrifice of America’s soldiers.

On Jacksonville.com, run by the Florida Times-Union newspaper, a blogger who identified himself as a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy blasted Obama for being missing in action.

“He is not only MIA for Memorial Day,” wrote Luke Memminger, identified as a professional pilot. “The economy is faltering. The stock market is ready to enter a worldwide dive. North Korea is precipitating a war with South Korea that will involve us. Iran will destabilize the Mideast by developing a Nuclear weapon soon.

“The coastline of Louisiana is being contaminated through inaction and inept leadership from the government,” he continued. “A mosque will be dedicated at Ground Zero on the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 massacre. We still have military deployed and fighting in two war zones.

“Where is Obama? Chicago,” Memminger wrote. “Where are those brave men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice for Freedom and Liberty? Arlington Cemetery.”

Traditionally on Memorial Day, the president lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, in Virginia, across the Potomac River from Washington. But Obama plans to speak at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Chicago instead.

Vice President Joe Biden intends to take the president's place at the Arlington Cemetery.

Obama will convene a press conference on Thursday at which he is expected to announce stringent new offshore oil regulations, as political pressure mounts amid the gulf disaster.

Obama will take questions from reporters in the East Room of the White House, an official said. The media appearance will take place a day before the president's next visit to the Gulf of Mexico on Friday, The Associated Press reported.

The White House has insisted it has done all it can to mitigate the spread of the massive oil slick, which is beginning to clog the southern U.S. coast.

Officials will watch closely on Wednesday as BP makes a fresh attempt to plug the gushing oil well, more than a month after an explosion aboard the Deep water Horizon Rig that set off an environmental catastrophe.

At KSLA News 12, which covers a region including parts of Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas, Web posters also were angry at Obama’s decision to skip Arlington.

“I am a black woman, and I feel this is so wrong for the president to do,” one commented. “There is no excuse not to do this. This country already doesn't do enough to help or take care of people who serve in the military and this is just an additional slap in the face. The United States is more than capable of taking better care of those who serve and who have served.

“It's not all President Obama's fault about not taking care of veterans, this has been going on for years in this country,” the poster continued. “Yet you still have men and women who continue to serve, bless them all.”

Beck blasted Obama over skipping the wreath laying, saying he is "sick and tired of people believing the lie" that Obama "has respect for the soldiers."

“Obama is skipping out on a Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington Cemetery because he'll be in Chicago on vacation, I'm sorry, I don't ever, ever question the president's vacation,” Beck said Tuesday on his nationally syndicated radio show. “I didn't under Bush, I didn't under Clinton, I don't under Obama . . .

“I have no problem with the man taking a vacation. But I am sick and tired — sick and tired — of people believing the lie that this administration has respect for the police or has respect for the soldiers of our country. I'm tired of it."

"Obama skipping the Tomb of the Unknowns this weekend for Chicago is offensive," added Erick Erickson, a conservative commentator for the Red State blog and CNN. In a Twitter post he wrote, “Obama skipping the Tomb of the Unknowns this weekend for Chicago is offensive. Chicago can wait. The Commander-in-Chief has a job to do."

Erickson did acknowledge that a president's missing a wreath laying is not unprecedented. But in the most recent examples in modern times, President Ronald Reagan was involved in a contentious economic summit in 1983, and George H.W. Bush was on the campaign trail in 1992. He instead spoke at an American Legion event.

“Barack Obama wants to go on vacation — the second vacation he has had since oil began spilling out of the gulf,” Erickson noted. “That’s okay though because the oil spilling is George W. Bush’s fault, just like all the new dead soldiers are George Bush’s fault, too. Why should he care?

“The problem for Barack Obama is simple,” Erickson continued. “The troops don’t like him no matter how much the White House propaganda machine tries to gin up staged pictures of Obama voting soldiers fawning all over him. But see the tepid response from cadets at West Point or talk privately with lots of soldiers and sailors and you get something else — they fundamentally do not respect their commander in chief.

“There was no question they respected and loved Ronald Reagan. Same with George H.W. Bush, the last veteran of World War II to serve as president.”

© Newsmax. All rights reserved.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day is fast approaching, the day we pay tribute to Americans who left home, either because they volunteered or were drafted, many died, many were wounded, but all are Veterans.

I am a Veteran. My Grandfather served in the Civil War, my Dad was in WWI, my Brother in WWII, I was in during the Korean Conflict, one son served during Viet Nam and another son during Desert Storm. Grandfather, Father and Brother, are gone, so they will be uppermost in my mind, and I will be thinking of them.

I have a problem. I don't know what the word is, there are many, but none seem to say it right.

I have a problem with obama, paying his respects, saying he is Commander in Chief, saluting, just even being affiliated with any ceremony paying respects, to American Servicemen and Women.

I see no difference in Bin Laden or obama, paying their respects to Veterans. It is somewhat like an Atheist going to church. I know he is not sincere, and one has to wonder why he is in church. No, I take that back. Once the Atheist is in church there is at least a chance, if the right program is successful, he might change his mind, be saved, and believe in God.

There is no chance that obama can change his birthright or his religion. In my opinion he is in no way an American, probably is not, in fact, a citizen, and  his interest in America is a smokescreen..

I cringed when I heard him address the Cadets at West Point. I had to wonder what was actually in the back of his mind.

His appearance at the University of Michigan I could understand. The same people who hired their football coach, probably had a lot to do with asking obama to give the graduation address.

I must admit I do admire one quality he possesses. He can lie with a straight face. I kid a lot, but when my kidding reaches a certain height, I have to smile or laugh, he can just go on and on.

This Memorial Day will be even more eventful, my youngest Son, Brad, is getting married, and we will be attending that ceremony in New York, on the 30th.

I hope no one invited obama.