Civil War drummer boys were not so rare. Here are a few links to check: http://lcweb2.loc.gov/learn/lessons/99/civilwar/slide1.html http://memory.loc.gov/learn/lessons/99/civilwar/slindex.html http://www.edrumline.com/features/history/civilwar/ http://www.civilwarhome.com/clembio.htm http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/entry.php?rec=85 The Boys' War: Confederate and Union Soldiers Talk about the Civil War by Jim Murphy is a wonderful book: http://www.amazon.com/Boys-War-Confederate-Union-Soldiers/dp/0395664128/sr=8 -1/qid=1162208690/ref=sr_1_1/102-7957765-0745709?ie=UTF8&s=books Grace Bliss Smith Geanellen wrote.....1st, a 12 year old in the Civil War veteran is cause for wonder, albeit possible. If veteran papers are available, some form of parental consent may be included in those papers.