Story of youngest Civil War veteran told in song
SPRINGFIELD — Joseph Henry Monroe was 12 when he became the Civil War’s youngest enlistee. He was captured at the Battle of Shiloh, escaped and rejoined his regiment for 26 more battles.
Now the drummer’s story will be told on July 14 in original music and popular period songs by performer Barry Cloyd at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum
Performances of “The Drummer Boy of Shiloh” are at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. in the central plaza. Paid museum admission is required to attend.
Cloyd -- like Monroe -- is from the Peoria area. Monroe became a war hero who returned to Peoria as a music teacher. Cloyd’s performance also recounts the effects of the war on Monroe’s marriage and family.
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