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A Young Boy Enlists As A Drummer With His Father's

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A poignant pair of Civil War drummer boy documents in which an underage boy got his father's permission to enlist in the war. First, is a small, 2 1/2" x 5" manuscript note that reads, in full: "Dear Sir, I am willing that my son Charles can join your Drummers. Respectfully yours, Thomas Andres, Charles Andres."…PLUS: a partly-printed war-date Union enlistment document, 1p. oblong large folio, New York [City], March 13, 1862 being the descriptive list for Musician Charles Andre that shows he was examined and allowed to enlist in Captain Michael Schmitt's company, Enfants Perdus New York Infantry Battalion. The list also indicates that young 18 year-old Andres was a native of Germany, was 5' 3"tall, and had an occupation listed as "eggs" and "butter", most likely his parents had him collecting these on the farm! Handsomely engrossed in dark blue ink and signed by mustering officer John Murray showing that Andres took the oath on March 13, 1862. Andres was no doubt younger than 18 since the document also indicates that he was 12 when enrolled. Both usual soiling, else very good.

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