Mr. Lincoln's Drummer

I read this book in the summer of 1999. It opened my eyes to history and I have now developed such a love for history and deep interest in the Civil War that many have called me a "Civil War Buff" and now actively take part in Civil War re-enactments with a Confederate artillery unit. Now I'm much older. Mr. Wisler, thank you so much for this book. It has truly changed my life.P.S. I met you once at the Missouri Literature Festival a few years ago. Thanks for being so nice! (A lot of the other authors were pretty mean to us)

My spirits weren't lifted when we entered the anchorage off Fort Monroe. A sea battle had taken place there recently, and the U.S.S. Cumberland, a big sailing ship, had been sunk by the rebel ironclad Merrimack. The Cumberland's masts still stuck up above the water, and a flag blew bravely from one of them. That both saddened us and cheered us. I couldn't help thinking about the drowned sailors, but that defiant flag put us in a fighting mood. In G. Clifton Wisler's Mr. Lincoln's Drummer, ten-year-old Willie Jonston joins the Civil War as a drummer boy. His job is to signal retreat, breakfast, and other things. The Confederate general, Robert E. Lee, is a tough fighter. The general for the Union, Ulysses S. Grant, is just as strong. In the beginning, Lincoln isn't doing very well. He lost the first few battles. By the time Willie came, the war had gotten very rough. One day, the battle of the two ironclads took place. The Union lost many battles. Will Willie survive this dangerous war, or will he fail? Although the main character in this book may be a boy, this book isn't only for boys. Girls that are interested in the Civil War may also like this book because that is what this book is about. This book is probably best for fourth graders because in fourth grade, we learn about the Civil War.

"A drum is the heartbeat of the army. It tells soldiers when to get up, When to eat, when to assemble, when to attack, when to retreat, And when to go to bed. Without a drum, the army falls apart." This quote is from G. Clifton Whistlers award winning book, Mr. Lincoln's Drummer. The book takes place during the Civil War. Willie Johnston Lives in a small Vermont town with his mother, his father,and his two brothers. His father is a tailor, and they run a family business. Willie, his mom, and his older brother help. One day, a strange colonel and his company walk into town. The colonel is trying to get people to sign up for the war. Every day he comes out, and every evening he leaves. One day the colonel comes into their shop and tells them that he needs them to make uniforms. They went to work on the uniforms right away. After a fortnight, the colonel had gotten 11 people to sign up. Willie follows him back one day. They arrive in a campsite, about a mile out from town. Willie meets a drummer boy, and they become fast friends. The boy teaches him some of the drum beats. Willie starts to see some of his friends at the camp. Willie is banging assembly one day, without thinking about what he is doing. The colonel hears, and Willie ends up banging a drum in the middle of the street to attract people. Every day more sign up. Eventually Willie and his dad sign up, too. How do they do? Does he die? Does he live? What is his fate?

This is a remarkable tale which will inspire readers of all ages. Our hero, an 11-year old drummer in the Third Regiment of Vermont's army during the American Civil War, survives the ravages of war and splendidly demonstrates the impact one person can have on those around him. I picked up this book on a Saturday evening and stayed up until 1:30 a.m. to finish it. Mr. Wisler's writing is flawless, and the story is very real.

Will is 11 year old. He is srevining in the army as a drummer boy. His dad is also in the army, in a differnt regiment. He serves for a long time until he becomes sick. He is sent to a army hospital. When he is well again he seves at the hospital. He meets many new friends and loses many of them to diseases. He then after the war is called to the Washington D.C. He gets to meet Mr. Lincoln and recives the highest Medal of Honor.