Drum Taps in Dixie
The Author—A War-Time Photograph.
DRUM TAPS
IN DIXIE
MEMORIES OF A
DRUMMER BOY
1861-1865
BY
DELAVAN S. MILLER
Watertown, N. Y.
Hungerford-Holbrook Co.
1905
Copyrighted 1905
By Delavan S. Miller
Published December, 1905
HUNGERFORD-HOLBROOK CO.
WATERTOWN, N. Y.
Affectionately dedicated
to my Wife and
Children.
Preface
A chance meeting with a comrade who was instrumental in saving fromcapture a piece of artillery at the second battle of Bull Run suggestedone of the several sketches grouped together in this volume.
Memory awakened furnished material for those that followed, each articlerecalling faces, forms, scenes and incidents from out of the misty past.
“Awake but one, and lo!
What myriads rise!”
The writer has enjoyed his reminiscing. It has been a labor of love, so tospeak, enabling him in a measure to live the old days over again.
The articles have been written at odd times after business hours, andshould not be scrutenized too closely from a literary standpoint.
The writing of the memories of a drummer boy has been a source of pleasureand rest to the writer, who sincerely hopes that the reading of them maynot weary those who, in their hours of rest, may scan these pages.
Delavan S. Miller.
Prelude—The Drum’s Story
Yes, I am a drum, and a very old drum at that. My leather ears are twistedand brown. My shiny sides are scratched and marred. My once beautifulwhite head is patched and blood-stained. Yet, I am loved and tenderlycared for; have my own cosy corner in the attic and am better provided forthan many of the brave men who fought for the Union. So I am content. Ihave lived my life. Was ever ready for duty. Made lots of noise. Have ledmen on the march and in battle. Now I am laid aside, growing old like allthe boys of ’61.
Drum Taps in Dixie.
CHAPTER I.
OFF FOR THE WAR.
When the news was flashed across the country that Fort Sumter had beenfired upon the writer was a 12-year-old boy residing in West Carthage. Theevents of those days stand forth in his memory like the hillcrests of alandscape.
The shot electrified the north, and the martial current that went from manto man was imparted to the boys. Favorite sports and pastimes lost theirzest. Juvenile military companies paraded the streets every evening andmimic battles were fought every Saturday afternoon.
The flag lowered over Fort Sumter was un