It’s estimated that 10% of both Union and Confederate soldiers were under 15 years of age. Some were even younger, serving as drummers, fifer or couriers before being handed a weapon. The most famous was Johnny Clem who enlisted at ten and was promoted at twelve to sergeant in the Union Army after his valor at the Battle of Chickamauga. The photo of this youthful cadet was taken in Suffolk, Virginia, so his sympathies may have resided with the South. Given that his rifle and bayonet typically stand 4’8” tall when presented vertically, his height must be around four feet. But proudly he stands for the camera in his dress uniform and kepi, frozen in time and space.
Young cadet with bayonet
