HISTORICAL NOTES: Drummer Boy

Albert Woolson was only 17 when he joined the Army. It was October 1864, the war was almost over—and Albert felt he had to hurry for his share of glory. His father, a New York man, had lost a leg at Shiloh, and afterward had taken his family west to New Janesville, Minn. Albert learned the "rifle art" from a Winnebago Indian named Winneshake, and thus prepared, enlisted in the First Minnesota Regiment of Heavy Artillery.

He served as head drummer boy, after "knocking the block" off another drummer boy. Albert was fitted with a blue uniform and shipped to Tennessee...