17. The Civil War’s Youngest Child Soldier
Born in 1853, Edward (William) Black was the youngest child soldier known to have served during the Civil War. He also holds the unfortunate distinction of being the youngest known soldier to have been injured during the conflict. Joining the 21st Indiana Infantry Regiment in 1861 when he was eight, Edward served as a drummer in that regiment. Sent home after a few months, he returned, this time with his father, and reenlisted in the regiment as a drummer boy.
During the war, Edward traveled widely throughout the United as the 21st Indiana’s drummer. Early in his service, he served in the regiment as it garrisoned Baltimore. He then accompanied the 21st Indiana on an expedition to the Eastern Shore, and from there to Newport News, Virginia, before getting shipped to serve in the Department of the Gulf. There, the young lad’s unit fought in Louisiana as part of the campaign that resulted in the Union’s capture of New Orleans.