John Clem facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Clem
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Clem in 1922
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| Birth name | John Lincoln Klem |
| Born | August 13, 1851 Newark, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | May 13, 1937 (aged 85) San Antonio, Texas, U.S. |
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| Allegiance |  United States |
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| Service years | 1863–1864; 1871–1915 |
| Rank | Major general |
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John Lincoln Clem (nicknamed Johnny Shiloh; August 13, 1851 – May 13, 1937) was an American general officer. He became famous as a drummer boy in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He was known for being very brave on the battlefield. He became the youngest noncommissioned officer (NCO) in the history of the United States Army. An NCO is a military leader who is not an officer, like a sergeant.
He retired from the Army in 1915. By then, he had reached the rank of brigadier general in the Quartermaster Corps. This part of the army handles supplies and logistics. At that time, he was the last veteran of the American Civil War still working in the United States Armed Forces. A year after he retired, on August 29, 1916, Congress promoted him to major general.
Contents
A Young Soldier's Journey: John Clem's Military Career
Joining the Civil War
John Clem was born "John Lincoln Klem" in Newark, Ohio, on August 13, 1851. When he was about nine years old in May 1861, he ran away from home. He wanted to become a drummer boy for the Union Army.
First, he tried to join the 3rd Ohio Infantry, but they said no because he was too young and small. Then, he tried to join the 22nd Michigan. They also turned him down. But John didn't give up! He just followed the regiment anyway. The soldiers of the 22nd Michigan eventually took him in as their mascot and drummer boy. The officers even collected money to pay him the regular soldier's wage of $13 a month. Two years later, he was officially allowed to join the army.
A popular story says that John Clem was a drummer boy at the Battle of Shiloh. This story claims that a shell fragment hit his drum, knocking him out. His friends supposedly found him and nicknamed him "Johnny Shiloh." However, history shows that the 22nd Michigan regiment wasn't formed until August 1862. This was four months after the Battle of Shiloh. So, John couldn't have been there. The "Johnny Shiloh" nickname likely came from a popular Civil War song called "The Drummer Boy of Shiloh."
Bravery at Chickamauga
Even if he wasn't at Shiloh, John Clem definitely served as a drummer boy for the 22nd Michigan at the Battle of Chickamauga. He rode an artillery caisson (a cart for ammunition) to the front lines. He carried a musket that had been cut down to fit his small size.
During a Union retreat, a Confederate colonel demanded that John surrender. But John shot the colonel instead! After the battle, he was promoted to sergeant. This made him the youngest soldier ever to be a noncommissioned officer in the United States Army. Salmon P. Chase, who was the Secretary of the Treasury and from Ohio, honored him for his brave actions at Chickamauga.
In October 1863, John Clem was captured by Confederate soldiers in Georgia. He was guarding a train at the time. The Confederates took his uniform, including his cap, which had three bullet holes in it. This made him very upset. He was part of a prisoner exchange soon after. Confederate newspapers used his young age and fame for propaganda. They said it showed how desperate the Union was if they had to send "babies" to fight.
After this, John Clem served with the Army of the Cumberland in many other battles. He worked as a mounted orderly, which meant he delivered messages on horseback. He was discharged from the army in September 1864. John Clem was wounded twice during the war.
Life After the War
Education and Later Military Service
John Clem finished high school in 1870. In 1871, he became the leader of a militia unit in Washington, D.C. called the "Washington Rifles." He tried to get into the United States Military Academy, but he didn't pass the entrance exam.
However, President Ulysses S. Grant helped him out. In December 1871, Grant appointed him as a second lieutenant in the 24th Infantry Regiment. John was promoted to first lieutenant in 1874. He also went to artillery school at Fort Monroe and graduated in 1875.
He became a captain in 1882. Then, he moved to the Quartermaster Department, where he stayed for the rest of his career. He was promoted to major in 1895.
Spanish-American War and Retirement
During the Spanish–American War in 1898, John Clem worked as a quartermaster in Portland, Oregon. He also served as the chief quartermaster for the Department of Columbia. Later, he helped with the occupation of Puerto Rico, working in San Juan.
He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in 1901 and to colonel in 1903. From 1906 to 1911, he was the chief quartermaster at Fort Sam Houston in Texas.
John Clem reached the age of 64 on August 13, 1915, which was the mandatory retirement age. When he retired, he was promoted to the rank of brigadier general. This was a common honor for Civil War veterans who retired as colonels. John Clem was the last Civil War veteran still serving in the U.S. Army when he retired. On August 29, 1916, he was promoted again, this time to major general on the retired list.
Personal Life and Legacy
John Clem married Anita Rosetta French in 1875. After she passed away in 1899, he married Bessie Sullivan in 1903. Bessie was from San Antonio and was the daughter of a Confederate veteran. John Clem joked that this made him "the most united American" alive! He had three children.
After he retired, he lived in Washington, D.C. before moving back to San Antonio, Texas. He passed away in San Antonio on May 13, 1937. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Awards and Honors
John Clem received several awards for his service:
- Civil War Campaign Medal
- Indian Campaign Medal
- Spanish War Service Medal
Remembering John Clem
John Clem is remembered in several ways:
- A 6-foot bronze statue of young John Clem stands in Newark, Ohio, near the Buckingham Meeting House.
- A World War II U.S. Army troopship was named in his honor: the USAT John L. Clem.
- A public school in Newark, Ohio, is named after him: Johnny Clem Elementary School.
- The city of Heath, Ohio, is also known as Johnny Clem Township.
Film Portrayals
John Clem's story has been told in movies:
- In 1963, Walt Disney made a TV movie called Johnny Shiloh. Kevin Corcoran played John Clem. The movie was shown on the Disney anthology television series. The Sherman Brothers wrote the theme song for the film.
- In 2007, Historical Productions released a movie called Johnny: The True Story of a Civil War Legend. Cody Piper played Johnny Lincoln (Shiloh) Clem. This film mixes historical facts with fictional parts. It includes many Civil War reenactments and shows what life was like for Union soldiers.
