Gilbert Vanzandt

For ages 9-12. What would life be like for a 10-year-old drummer boy serving in the American Civil War? Essentially the same as for any enlistee! There was little opportunity to shield anyone from either the good or bad experiences of war. There were playmaking, pranks, jokes, marches, and battles -- as well as carrying the wounded and burying the dead. Courage is commonly ascribed to adults. With Gilbert Van-Zandt, Lil Gib, we must recognise his unusual valour and patriotism -- uncommon at any time, in any war.

Marilyn Seguin is the author of eight books especially suitable for enrichment reading programs related to actual roles that boys and girls played in American history.

Introduction; War Drums; Drumming All the Way; Camp Dennison; Billy and Banjo; "It hain't hurt me yet"; Battle of Resaca; Fighting at Kennesaw Mountain; Sherman's Bummers; Battle of Peach Tree Creek; The Fall of Atlanta; Incident at Ebenezer Creek; "He Knew No Fear"; On to Washington; An Interview with the President; More Information.