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Join the Army
Michigan's response to the outbreak
of fighting was quick and strong.
This broadside calling for volunteers to fight in the "Sunny South"
appears in the Civil War Gallery.
At first, people expected the war to be short. But Confederate forces
proved very capable, and soon people knew the war would be long and difficult.
Musicians, often boys under the age of 16, rallied the troops and raised
their spirits by playing the drum, bugle, fife or flute. Bugles told soldiers
when to get up, to eat, to assemble, to go to bed.
Drums told them how fast to march. The youngest soldier to serve in the war was
John Lincoln Clem, known as Johnny Clem. When he was nine years old, he joined the 22nd Michigan Infantry and became
its drummer.
The military tenor drum in the exhibit was made by William Tompkins & Sons, MFG.,
New York. It was used by George H. Cook in 1861. Cook was chief musician of the 27th Regiment
of New York State foot volunteers. He lived in Riley Township, Clinton City,
Michigan, for seven years after the war.
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