"Throughout the Civil War, youngsters followed brothers, fathers and even teachers into battle. They often had support roles but quickly graduated into combat roles. They were sometimes recruited at school and, when necessary, used weapons that were cut down and adapted for use by smaller people. David Baily Freemen, “Little Dave,” enlisted in the Confederate army at age 11, first accompanying his older brother as an aide-de-camp and then as a “marker” for a survey team before finally fighting against Sherman’s army. Joseph John Clem (who changed his name to John Lincoln Clem) officially enlisted in the Union army at age 10 although he had been a camp follower since age 9. Gilbert “Little Gib” Van Zandt, age 10, followed his teacher into the Ohio Volunteer Infantry where he joined his father, uncles and friends. He joined up when recruiters arrived at his school despite his mother’s pleas that he was “too young to fight.” Clarence D. McKenzie, a drummer boy for Brooklyn’s 13th Regiment was killed at Annapolis, Md., when he was only 12. His funeral, held on July 14, 1861, was attended by 3,000 people. A statute of the boy and his drum was erected to commemorate his sacrifice and is still one of the most visited graves in Brooklyn’s Greenwood cemetery today. ....." http://www.fdu.edu/newspubs/magazine/05sf/childsoldiers.html

"Throughout the Civil War, youngsters followed brothers, fathers and even teachers into battle. They often had support roles but quickly graduated into combat roles. They were sometimes recruited at school and, when necessary, used weapons that were cut down and adapted for use by smaller people. David Baily Freemen, “Little Dave,” enlisted in the Confederate army at age 11, first accompanying his older brother as an aide-de-camp and then as a “marker” for a survey team before finally fighting against Sherman’s army. Joseph John Clem (who changed his name to John Lincoln Clem) officially enlisted in the Union army at age 10 although he had been a camp follower since age 9. Gilbert “Little Gib” Van Zandt, age 10, followed his teacher into the Ohio Volunteer Infantry where he joined his father, uncles and friends. He joined up when recruiters arrived at his school despite his mother’s pleas that he was “too young to fight.” Clarence D. McKenzie, a drummer boy for Brooklyn’s 13th Regiment was killed at Annapolis, Md., when he was only 12. His funeral, held on July 14, 1861, was attended by 3,000 people. A statute of the boy and his drum was erected to commemorate his sacrifice and is still one of the most visited graves in Brooklyn’s Greenwood cemetery today. ....."  http://www.fdu.edu/newspubs/magazine/05sf/childsoldiers.html