Anne Palagruto

Babes in Arms: Boy Soldiers in the Civil War Anne Palagruto

Thousands of young boys volunteered to fight during the Civil War, some with their parents' permission and some without. Some enlisted as musicians, some as soldiers. Some were messengers or aids in camp. Some carried the colors. Some were captured and sent to Andersonville or Point Lookout. Many died of disease or were wounded in battle, perhaps losing an arm or leg, with no mother there to comfort them. The parents of these young soldiers could do nothing but worry and wait for some word from or about their sons. Sometimes the news came as a relief; sometimes the news was not good. The boys in the book, some as young as 11, have in one way or another participated in the war between 1861 and 1865. It doesn't matter if they were Union or confederate. Their bravery and dedication should never be forgotten. In Babes in Arms you'll find over 80 photographs and even more stories in honor of these young soldiers.