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Marlene Targ Brill Tells Story of Civil War Drummer Boy

January 20, 2019 • Posted in Authors, Books by

Golden Alley Press author Marlene Targ Brill knows a thing or two about Civil War drummer boys. Author of the historical children’s story Diary of a Drummer Boy, Marlene immersed herself in researching the life and story of young Orion Perseus Howe of Waukegan, Illinois.

Civil War drummer boy Orion Howe

Orion Howe, Civil War drummer boy from Waukegan, IL

On Saturday, January 26th, at 10:30 am, Marlene will be reading from Diary of a Drummer Boy and telling Orion Howe’s story at the Dunn Museum in Libertyville, Illinois. Libertyville is located in Lake County, Illinois, from which about 2,000 men went to fight in the Civil War, according to Sarah Salto, Dunn Museum educator. Copies of the book will be on sale at the museum’s gift shop.

Orion Howe was only 12 years old when he left home to be a drummer boy in the Civil War. Among his many adventures, he was wounded at the Battle of Vicksburg and became one of the youngest people ever to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor.

From the book’s back cover:

He was only a drummer boy, but Orion Howe’s courage under fire helped General Sherman break the Rebel hold on Vicksburg. 

Civil War drum illustration and sepia photos of Orion P. Howe and Lyston D. Howe, boy drummers in the Civil War

It is April, 1861, and there is talk of war in the Howes’ Illinois home. When President Lincoln asks for more soldiers, Orion’s father and brother enlist. Hating to be left behind, twelve-year-old Orion soon joins them to be a drummer boy in the Union Army.

As the war wears on, Orion bravely endures hunger, sickness, and fatigue, facing battles with nothing but his drum and sticks. But the biggest test of his courage is yet to come.

On May 19, 1863, Orion’s company is pinned down outside Vicksburg under heavy fire. Colonel Malmborg sends him to request more ammunition. Suddenly Orion is struck in the leg by enemy fire. Can he still get to the rear wagons? When he runs into General Sherman, will he remember the message he has been sent to deliver?

Diary of a Drummer Boy is a fictionalized diary based on the true story of Orion Howe, recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor. Beautifully illustrated by Michael Garland, this is the perfect introduction to the Civil War for students too young for more graphic depictions.

 

Nancy Sayre is Golden Alley Press's old-school, hands-on editor. Max Perkins, Saul Bellow, and Robert Giroux are some of her role models. Her reading interests include classic literature, theology, and the subject matter of whatever books she is editing at the moment.
Beth On January 21, 2019 at 11:41 pm

Ms. Brill sure does know a lot about civil war drummer boys! You’re right, this book would be an ideal introduction to the Civil War. Thanks for the post.