Sgt. Johnny Clem, 22nd Michigan Volunteers, US Civil WarIn 1861 Johnny Clem joined the 22nd Michigan
Sgt. Johnny Clem, 22nd Michigan Volunteers, US Civil WarIn 1861 Johnny Clem joined the 22nd Michigan as an unofficial drummer boy. He was only 10 years old. In 1863 he was allowed to officially enlisted in the Union Army. Carrying a sawed off musket, he fought at the battles of Chickamauga, Perryville, Murfreesboro, Kennesaw and Atlanta, where he was wounded twice. Perhaps his most famous action was at Chickamauga, where he was nearly captured by a Confederate Colonel. The Colonel shouted, “I think the best thing a mite of a chap like you can do is drop that gun”. Rather than surrender Clem shot the colonel dead and escaped to Union lines.After the war Clem attended West Point Academy and became an officer. He rose to the rank of Major General and also became assistant quartermaster general in 1906. He retired before World War I and passed away in 1937. He is currently buried at Arlington National Cemetery. -- source link
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