The St. Louis Republican, says: A day or two since, the police found a boy in military rig, barefooted, dirty and ragged, wandering about the Levee, and supposing him to be a young Levee thief, he was conducted to the calaboose and locked up.
Subsequently, however, he attracted the attention of the Chief of Police, Cousins, and, on being questioned by the Chief, gave a straightforward and interesting account of himself. He gave his name, but we regret that is has not been preserved. He was twelve years of age, and belonged to. the Third Illinois Cavalry in which organization be enlisted nearly a year ago as a bugler. He endured the hardships of the Southwest campaign, late last fall and winter, and finally took part in the battle of Pea Ridge, where his war-like career was pretty effectually terminated by one of the enemy’s bullets.
The ball struck him on the left side of his neck, and plowed its way through the small arteries and almost severed his windpipe. He lay on the battle field for a longtime, but was finally picked up and taken to a hospital, where he was confined for three months. When he recovered he discovered, to his great sorrow, that he could blow his bugle no longer, his wound being of such a nature as to prevent him from giving even the faintest blast upon the instrument. The deep furrow through which the bullet passed was plainly visible, although thoroughly healed, and looked as though a considerable portion of his neck had been shot, away. Being phisically unable to shoulder a musket in the ranks, he came to the conclusion that he would return home. He accordingly set out on his journey, and had got as far as this city, and was waiting on the Levee for a boat when he was arrested. His father and mother lived in Grenville, Illinois, and ever since he had been in the army he had sent them all his earnings.
His story, of which the above is only a brief outline, was related in such an artless manner as to win the attention of several individuals who listened to it, and their sympathies were at once enlisted in the little fellow’s behalf. He was asked if he did not think he was too young to enter the service.
“No, sir !” was the prompt reply, “I reckon I didn’t enter it any too soon.”
A liberal, collection was taken up, in behalf of the young, soldier, after lie concluded his story, and the Chief subsequently furnished him with a new suit of clothes. His story was told to the railroad officers, and they gave him a free pass, and thus he was sent on his way home rejoicing.
Raftsman’s Journal, Clearfield, PA