DuringtheAmericanCivilWar,botharmiesincludedmanyyoungsters,oftenagedtwelveorless.AtinydrummerboycapturedbytheConfederateswaswalkingashortdistancebehindalargepartyofprisonersandtryingtokeepupwhenakind-heartedprivate,JamesHodham,sawhimandsaidtohim,"Lookhere,youaretoolittletobeaprisoner;sopitchthatdrumintothatfence-corner,throwoffyourcoat,getbehindthosebushesandgohomeasfastasyoucan."
"Mister,don'tyouwantmeforaprisoner?""No."
"CanIgowhereIplease?""Yes."
"ThenyoubetI'mgoinghometomymother!"Sayingthisashethrewhisdrumonewayandhiscoatanotherandbecame,inappearance,acivilian,theboydisappearedbehindsomebushes.