Charley King
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Charley King | |
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| Born | April 1849 West Chester |
| Died | September 20, 1862 |
| Occupation | Drummer |
Charley Edwin King (April 1849 – September 20, 1862) was a drummer boy in the 49th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry who was killed in action at the Battle of Antietam. At only 13 years old, Charley is believed to be the youngest soldier killed in the American Civil War.
Early Life
Charley was born in West Chester, PA to Pennell and Adaline Bennett King. His father was a tailor. Even before joining the Union Army as a drummer, Charley was known to be a talented musician, frequently leading the other children of West Chester in marches through the streets. One anecdote recorded by the Villiage Record after his death reported that Charley was known to be heard in his bedroom long after his bed time marking time on his headboard.[1]
Enlistment
After the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter, Charley implored his parents to allow him to enlist in the Union Army, but his parents refused to allow it. However, later that year, they were persuaded by a neighbor, Captain Benjamin Sweney (a musician himself) to let Charley. Sweney was helping to form a new regiment and needed musicians for the company he would command. He promised the King family that he would look after Charley himself and ensure his safety.
Charley officially enlisted in Company F of the 49th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, led at the time by Colonel William Iriwn, on September 12, 1861. He was promptly promoted to Drum Major of the Regiment, owing at least in part to his impressive talent on the drums.[2]
Peninsula Campaign
In the summer of 1862, Charley and the rest of the 49th PA Infantry took part in the Peninsula Campaign.[2] The unit saw action at the Battle of Williamsburg and during the Seven Days Battles.
Crampton's Gap
On September 14, 1862, the 49th PA Infantry saw significant action at the Battle of Crampton's Gap. The unit took part in the charge that pushed the Confederates off the mountain, opening the way to Harper's Ferry which had, two days earlier, been captured by Confederate General "Stonewall" Jackson. However, rather than move on to liberate this strategic location, their division would hold in the area as further Confederate movements were assessed.
Antietam
When fighting broke out at Antietam, the 49th PA Infantry was still several miles away from Sharpesburg. They had recieved the order to march overnight and were moving quickly south on the morning of September 17, 1861. The regiment arrived on the northern front of the battle as fighting there began to draw down. Rather than be sent into battle, the 49th was ordered to take a defensive position around three batteries in danger of being taken by Confederate forces. [3] They took up a position north of the Cornfield near the East Woods, leaving them exposed to Confederate artillery. Realizing this, General Hancock gave the order to pull back toward the woods. However, the Confederate artillery had already begun bombarding the position. During the bombardment, "Charley King, of Company F, was shot through the body, and fell into the arms of H. H. Bowles, of the Sixth Main regiment,"[4] and carried back to the makeshift hospital nearby.
Death
Charley died three days later on September 20, 1861, making him the youngest soldier killed in the American Civil War. His father was stationed nearby but was not able to reach the hospital before Charley's passing. Charley's final resting place remains unknown. In 2005, a monument to Charley was erected in Greenmount Cemetery, the final resting place of Charley's parents. The monument was a joint effort between the Bradbury Camp of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War and Boy Scout Troop 51 from Brandywine Manor, PA.
In popular culture
Broken Drum (1996), by Edith Morris Hemingway, tells a fictionalized version of Charley King's time in the Union Army, examining his likely motivations and experiences during the Civil War and incorporating several prominent historical figures of the period.
Charley: The True Story of the Youngest Soldier to Die in the American Civil War (2023), by Brendan J. Lyons, tells the story of Charley King based on the collected journals of several members of the 49th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry as collected by Robert S. Westbrook, himself a veteran of the regiment.
References
- ↑ "West Chester Drummer Killed in Action". The Village Record. October 4, 1862.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Westbrook, Robert S. (1898). History of the 49th Pennsylvania Volunteers. Altoona, PA: Altoona Times print.
- ↑ Lefko, Andy. "The Life of Charlie King".
- ↑ Westbrook, Robert S. (1898). History of the 49th Pennsylvania Volunteers. Altoona Times print. p. 125.
External links
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