Who was general Clem married to?
On August 29, 1916, Clem was promoted on the retired list to the rank of major general. He married Anita Rosetta French in 1875. After her death in 1899, he married Bessie Sullivan of San Antonio in 1903. Sullivan was the daughter of a Confederate veteran, leading Clem to claim that he was "the most united American" alive.
What was John Clem's personal life like?
Personal life. He married Anita Rosetta French in 1875. After her death in 1899, he married Bessie Sullivan of San Antonio in 1903. Sullivan was the daughter of a Confederate veteran, leading Clem to claim that he was "the most united American" alive.
Who is Johnny Clem?
Johnny Clem was a soldier in the service of the United States for most of his life. He was born on August 13, 1851, in Newark, Ohio. His actual name was John Joseph Klem. Although Clem was only ten years old when the American Civil War began, he immediately tried to enlist in the Union army.
How many children did William Clem have?
He married Anita Rosetta French in 1875. After her death in 1899, he married Bessie Sullivan of San Antonio in 1903. Sullivan was the daughter of a Confederate veteran, leading Clem to claim that he was "the most united American" alive. Clem was the father of three children.
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How old was Johnny Clem when he joined the army?
elevenClem was finally allowed to enlist in the United States Army in May 1863, when he was only eleven. In the meantime, Clem had already participated in numerous battles and had become quite famous. According to most sources, at the Battle of Shiloh, Clem demonstrated his calmness under fire.
Why was Johnny Clem important?
Rather than surrender, Clem shot the colonel and successfully made his way back to Union lines. For his actions, Clem was promoted to sergeant, the youngest soldier ever to become a noncommissioned officer in the U.S. Army, and became known as the “Drummer Boy of Chickamauga.”
Why did John Clem change his name?
John J. Klem actually changed his name to John Lincoln Clem to prove that he was a “Union Man.” Having being rejected by the Ohio Infantry, John tried to enlist in the 22nd Michigan that was also posted to Camp Dennison in Cincinnati.
Who was the youngest NCO in the army?
native John ClemOhio native John Clem might have been small in stature, but he was big of heart. After running away from home following the death of his mother in 1861, he tried and tried again to join the Union Army as a drummer boy.
How old was Johnny Clem when he died?
85 years (1851–1937)John Clem / Age at death
Who was the youngest person to fight in the Civil War?
The youngest soldier to fight in the Civil War was a boy named Edward Black. Edward was born on May 30 in 1853, making him just 8 years old when he joined the Union army on July 24, 1861, as a drummer boy for the 21st Indiana volunteers.
Who was the oldest person to fight in the Civil War?
Known as the Civil War Greybeard, Curtis King is widely believed by most historians to be the oldest soldier in the war at the age of his enlistment. When he mustered into Company H of the 37th Iowa Infantry on November 9, 1862, Curtis was an astonishing 80 years old.
Who is the youngest sergeant?
Daniel DaileyPalmerton, Pennsylvania At age 42, in January 2015 Daniel Dailey was appointed the FIFTEENTH Command Sergeant Major of the Army. He is the youngest person ever to hold that position.
Where is Johnny Clem buried?
Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VAJohn Clem / Place of burialArlington National Cemetery is a United States military cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., in whose 639 acres the dead of the nation's conflicts have been buried, beginning with the Civil War, as well as reinterred dead from earlier wars. Wikipedia
Who was the youngest general ever?
Galusha PennypackerHe may be the youngest person to hold the rank of brigadier general in the US Army; at the age of 20, he remains the only general too young to vote for the president who appointed him....Galusha PennypackerYears of service1861–1883RankBrigadier General Brevet Major General10 more rows
Who was the youngest person to fight in World war 2?
Calvin Leon GrahamCalvin Leon Graham (April 3, 1930 – November 6, 1992) was the youngest U.S. serviceman to serve and fight during World War II. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the United States Navy from Houston, Texas on August 15, 1942, at the age of 12.
When did the last soldier from the Civil War died?
Albert Henry Woolson had outlived over two million Civil War Union Army comrades when he died in Duluth on August 2, 1956, at the age of 106. At his death, he was recognized as the last surviving Union Army veteran.
What was the role of the drummer boy in the Civil War?
Responsible for beating out vital battle orders and communication signals, they were placed in harm's way from the beginning of the fight to its conclusion. And when the battle was over, drummer boys were also relied upon to police the field, helping to carry wounded men to the hospital tents, and to bury the slain.
What was the role of the drummer boy during the Civil War?
They were stretcher bearers. They walked around the battlefield looking for the wounded and brought them to medical care. Many young boys marched off to war looking for adventure, but they found hard, dangerous work along with it.
What was Clem doing when he was captured by the Confederate army?
Sergeant. Clem was with a baggage train on October 6, when Confederate Cavalry commanded by General Joseph Wheeler captured John and others with the wagons. The rebels made sure the young boy was shown to General Wheeler.
What was the most common nickname for Civil War doctors?
The nickname “Old Sawbones” was one of many such unflattering names bestowed upon the army doctors of Civil War camps by the unlucky soldiers struck down by wounds or illnesses and left in medical care.
Who was Johnny Clem?
Johnny Clem was a soldier in the service of the United States for most of his life. He was born on August 13, 1851, in Newark, Ohio. His actual name was John Joseph Klem. Although Clem was only ten years old when the American Civil War began, he immediately tried to enlist in the Union army.
What was Johnny Clem famous for?
He gained fame for his bravery on the battlefield, becoming the youngest non-commissioned officer in Army history. He retired from the Army in 1916, having attained the rank of major general, as the last veteran of the Civil War still on duty in the Armed Forces. Johnny Clem was a soldier in the service of the United States for most of his life. ...
What was the name of the battle that Clem was involved in?
His reputation grew even more with his exploits at the Battle of Chickamauga. Confederate forces drove General William Rosecrans' Army of the Cumberland from the field. During the retreat, a Confederate colonel ordered Clem to surrender. Rather than give up, Clem raised his rifle and killed the colonel.
Why did Clem leave school?
He left his school classes to drill with the Third Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment. However, the Third Ohio, and many other units that passed through Newark, always rejected Clem because of his young age. Some accounts claim that Clem first had been permitted to join the Twenty-Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
What regiment did Johnny Clem join?
Other sources claim that Clem joined the Twenty-Second Michigan Infantry Regiment when it marched through Newark. Since Johnny Clem was too young to join the army officially, officers of the Twenty-Second Michigan contributed money to pay him a monthly wage.
When did Clem join the army?
Clem was finally allowed to enlist in the United States Army in May 1863, when he was only eleven. In the meantime, Clem had already participated in numerous battles and had become quite famous. According to most sources, at the Battle of Shiloh, Clem demonstrated his calmness under fire.
Did Clem pass the Army entrance exam?
However, Clem repeatedly failed to pass the entrance exam. In 1871, Grant overlooked Clem's failures and appointed him a second lieutenant in the United States Army. Clem remained in the army until 1915, when he retired. He was the last Civil War veteran to leave the United States military.
When was Johnny Clem born?
Clem was born to Roman and Magdalene Klem in 1851. The family had been staying in the home of Clem’s late uncle, Peter Kline, who passed away approximately five weeks before Johnny was born. Johnny Clem’s mother and father moved into the home to assist Kline’s widow , who was caring for their six children. It was in this house that Johnny Clem was born on August 13, 1851.
Where did Johnny Clem go to camp?
Within weeks of his mother’s death, Johnny Clem ran away from home. Clem, who was not yet 10 years old, attempted to join the 3rd Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. However, due to his age and his size, he was rejected. Instead of simply going home, Clem hopped aboard a train that was transporting the regiment. He stayed hidden aboard a baggage car until he arrived with the regiment at its destination of Camp Dennison in Cincinnati , Ohio. Clem’s father, Roman, went to Cincinnati to retrieve his son, but Johnny was able to evade him.
What was Johnny Clem's drum destroyed by?
While at Shiloh, Clem’s drum was destroyed by a piece of shrapnel. He narrowly escaped serious injury. For his bravery, he was dubbed “Johnny Shiloh.”
What camp did Clem try to enlist in?
At Camp Dennison, Clem tried to enlist, but was unable to due to his young age. The officers, however, did allow him to stay with them at the camp. The men took Clem in and provided him with food and wages, giving him the role of drummer boy.
When was Clem inducted into the Hall of Fame?
On November 6, 1997 , Clem was inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame by Governor George Voinovich.
Where is John Clem buried?
On May 13, 1937, John Clem passed away at his home in San Antonio, Texas. He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
When was Clem captured?
In October of 1863, Clem was captured by Confederate forces and paraded as an example of the Union’s desperation in the war, resorting to using a child. Clem was paroled and sent back to Ohio. The following January, in 1864, Clem returned to active duty as a mounted orderly in service to Major General Thomas.
When did John Clem die?
Date of Birth - Death August 13, 1851 – May 13, 1937. When President Abraham Lincoln in May 1861 issued the call for volunteers to serve in the Union army for a three year term, one of those who tried to answer was Ohio resident John Clem.
Who appointed Clem to the Army?
Nominated to West Point by President Ulysses S. Grant, Clem failed the entrance exam several times before Grant appointed him a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Clem enjoyed a successful second military career, rising to the rank of colonel and assistant quartermaster general by 1906.
What did Clem do at Chickamauga?
Clem became a national celebrity for his actions at Chickamauga. Armed with a musket sawed down for him to carry, Clem joined the 22nd Michigan in the defense of Horseshoe Ridge on the afternoon of September 20. As the Confederate forces surrounded the unit, a Confederate colonel spotted Clem and shouted either “I think the best thing a mite of a chap like you can do is drop that gun” or called him a “damned little Yankee devil,” according to various sources. Rather than surrender, Clem shot the colonel and successfully made his way back to Union lines. For his actions, Clem was promoted to sergeant, the youngest soldier ever to become a noncommissioned officer in the U.S. Army, and became known as the “Drummer Boy of Chickamauga.”
What did the Confederate colonel say to Clem?
As the Confederate forces surrounded the unit, a Confederate colonel spotted Clem and shouted either “I think the best thing a mite of a chap like you can do is drop that gun” or called him a “damned little Yankee devil,” according to various sources.
Where did Clem fight?
Clem went on to fight at Perryville, Murfreesboro, Kennesaw and Atlanta, where he was wounded twice.
Who was the Drummer Boy of Chickamauga?
For his actions, Clem was promoted to sergeant, the youngest soldier ever to become a noncommissioned officer in the U.S. Army, and became known as the “Drummer Boy of Chickamauga.”. Clem ’s legend grew following the battle, although some stories may be apocryphal.
What was John Clem known for?
John Clem became a nationally known figure during the Civil War, due to his young age as a soldier. He was present with the 22 nd Michigan at the Battle of Chickamauga. During the battle, he rode an artillery caisson to the front lines and shot a musket that had been trimmed to be small enough for him to use. Though the Union had to retreat, John shot and wounded a Confederate Colonel who demanded he surrender to him. After this battle, John was promoted to Sergeant and became the youngest noncommissioned officer to ever serve in the United States Army. He also received a medal for shooting the Confederate Colonel, making him the youngest decorated soldier, as well. After the battle, John became popularly known as the “Drummer Boy of Chickamauga.”
How did Clem join the Union Army?
In Clem’s version of the story, he first tried to join the 3 rd Ohio Infantry, but they would not take him because he was so young and small. He tried to join the 22 nd Michigan Infantry after that, and they also turned him away. However, he followed them, and they eventually “adopted” him as a mascot for their regiment, and gave him the position of the drummer boy. Officers in the regiment pitched in from their own pay to give him the standard soldier’s salary of $13 a month, and he was permitted to officially enlist two years later when he was twelve.
Did John have children with Anita?
John had one child with Anita, and two with Bessie. His only daughter, a child with Bessie, became a nun, and eventually Mother Superior of a convent she helped found in Reno, Nevada.
Civil War
Born in Newark, Ohio, in 1851 as John Joseph Klem, he ran away from home at age 9 after his mother died, to become a Union Army drummer boy. He attempted to enlist in May 1861 in the 3rd Ohio Infantry, but was rejected because of his age and small size. He then tried to join the 22nd Michigan, which also refused him.
Later life
Clem graduated from high school in 1870. In 1871, he was elected commander/captain of the "Washington Rifles" a District of Columbia Army National Guard militia unit. After he attempted unsuccessfully to enter the United States Military Academy, President Ulysses S.
Personal life
He married Anita Rosetta French in 1875. She died in 1899, and he married Bessie Sullivan of San Antonio in 1903. Clem was the father of two children. Clem was a companion of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States and the Military Order of Foreign Wars .
Memorialization
A 6-foot bronze statue of young John Clem stands near the Buckingham Meeting House in Newark, Ohio.
Film portrayals
In 1963, Walt Disney produced a made-for-TV film entitled Johnny Shiloh, with Kevin Corcoran in the title role. The film was telecast on the Disney anthology television series .
Early Life
Service in The Civil War
- Within weeks of his mother’s death, Johnny Clem ran away from home. Clem, who was not yet 10 years old, attempted to join the 3rd Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry.However, due to his age and his size, he was rejected. Instead of simply going home, Clem hopped aboard a train that was transporting the regiment. He stayed hidden aboard a baggage car until he arrived with the regi…
Life After The Civil War
- After the end of the Civil War in 1864, Johnny Clem returned home to Newark. Clem returned to school and graduated from Newark High School in 1870.Clem was readmitted into the army in 1871, commissioned as a second lieutenant. Clem married Anita French in 1875, and the couple had six children, five of which passed away before adulthood. Clem contin...
Controversy
- Throughout the years, there have been claims that Clem falsified his accounts of his military service, or that he was not the youngest person to enlist during the Civil War. In September of 1907, an article was published in the Newark American Tribune claiming that Clem was not, in fact, the youngest person to fight in the Civil War. According to the article, Clem was neither the …
Memorials
- In 1959, John L. Clem Elementary School, at 475 Jefferson Road in Newark, was dedicated to Clem’s memory and named in his honor.
References
- Jump up ↑ Nina Kohser, “John Clem: Newark’s Own Civil War Hero,” The Newark Advocate, June 10, 1984.
- Jump up ↑ Amy Hollon, “Legend’s Newark Roots Confirmed,” The Advocate, February 3, 2009.
- Jump up ↑ Kathy Wesley, “Johnny Clem a Hero – Or Was He?,” The Newark Advocate, October 11, 1989, 1.
- Jump up ↑ Nina Kohser, “John Clem: Newark’s Own Civil War Hero,” The Newark Advocate, June 10, 1984.
- Jump up ↑ Amy Hollon, “Legend’s Newark Roots Confirmed,” The Advocate, February 3, 2009.
- Jump up ↑ Kathy Wesley, “Johnny Clem a Hero – Or Was He?,” The Newark Advocate, October 11, 1989, 1.
- Jump up ↑ “General Clem Dies in Texas Home,” The Newark Advocate American Tribune, May 14, 1937, 1.
