Pettis, Frank Army Days

The Adventures of Young Frankie Pettis Civil War Drummer Boy

Created by William C. Schuette

The original images on the next page have been colorized to help modern viewers connect more easily with the past. Adding realistic color can make historical scenes feel more immediate and relatable, highlight details that are harder to see in black-and-white, and support education, research, and storytelling while preserving the original image as a historical record.

All the additional images in this publication are theoretical reconstructions of original images, based upon what a young drummer boy’s day might have been like. Images processed through ChatJPG.

Copyright 2026 All rights reserved

William C. Schuette

This publication is a historically grounded theoretical reconstruction based on what is known about Union drummer boys, Civil War camps, and typical soldier routines in 1861–1865.

Theoretical Daily Life of 13-Year-Old Union Drummer Boy Frank Pettis

At thirteen, Frank Pettis would have been one of the younger members of a Union regiment, but not unusually so. Drummer boys were often between about 12 and 16 years old. While they were not front-line fighters, they were fully part of army life and experienced many of the same hardships as adult soldiers.

Morning: Reveille and Camp Chores

Frank’s day likely began before sunrise. The drummer boys were responsible for signaling Reveille, the drum call that woke the entire camp. He would have:

• Slept in a canvas tent (possibly a Sibley or wedge tent)

• Woken cold, especially in winter months

• Played drum signals on command from officers

• Helped with small chores like:

 Carrying water

 Gathering wood

 Cleaning camp areas

Helping cooks or quartermasters

Breakfast was usually simple:

• Hardtack

• Salt pork or bacon

• Coffee (often very strong)

Midday: Drill, Messages, and Camp Life

During the day, Frank’s main duty was communication. Drums were the regiment’s “PA system.”

He would have played signals for:

• Assembly (gathering soldiers)

• Drill calls

• Meal times

• Fatigue duty (work assignments)

• Lights out at night

When not drumming, he might:

• Run messages between officers

• Carry small supplies

Help medical staff during or after battles (some drummer boys assisted surgeons)

Afternoon / Downtime: Games and Recreation

Despite the harsh conditions, soldiers and boys still found ways to relax.

Frank might have played:

1. Card Games

Very common in camp:

• Euchre

• Poker

• Brag

2. Dice Games

Often simple gambling games using bone or wood dice.

3. Marbles

Younger soldiers and musicians sometimes played marbles if they had them from home.

4. Ball Games (Early Baseball Forms)

By the Civil War, baseball was spreading quickly. Soldiers played:

• “Town ball”

• Early baseball rules (New York or Massachusetts rules)

5. Music and Singing

Drummer boys often:

• Practiced rudiments

• Played for entertainment

• Sang camp songs with soldiers

Evening: Letters, Stories, and Homesickness

Evenings were quieter but emotional.

Frank likely would have:

• Written letters home by lantern or candlelight

• Listened to older soldiers tell stories

• Read if he had books or newspapers

• Thought about family and home life

Homesickness was extremely common, especially for boys his age.

Hardships He Would Have Experienced

Physical Hardships

• Marching long distances

• Poor weather (mud, rain, snow, heat)

• Limited bathing

• Lice and illness in camps

Emotional Hardships

• Seeing wounded soldiers

• Hearing battle sounds even if not fighting

• Losing friends to disease (the biggest killer in camps)

Food and Treats (If He Was Lucky)

Occasionally Frank might have gotten:

• Fresh bread from locals

• Apples or fruit

• Pie from civilians near camp

• Extra rations when supply was good

How Soldiers Likely Treated Him

Many soldiers were protective of drummer boys. They often became:

• Mascots for the regiment

• “Little brothers” to older soldiers

• Helpers to sergeants and officers

But he still would have been expected to work and behave like part of the unit.

A battle day for a drummer boy was one of the most intense and frightening experiences he could face. While he usually did not fight with a rifle, he was still very close to danger and chaos. A 13-year-old like Frank Pettis would have experienced a mix of military duty, fear, noise, confusion, and moments of waiting.

Before Dawn The Tension Before Battle

If battle was expected, camp would wake early often before sunrise.

Frank likely would have:

• Eaten quickly (hardtack, coffee, maybe pork)

• Checked drum cords and drum head tension

• Stayed close to the regiment musicians and drum major

• Heard officers giving serious, quiet orders

Many soldiers became very quiet before battle. Some prayed. Some wrote last letters home.

Frank would have sensed fear even if no one said it out loud.

March to the Battlefield

Drummers often played marching rhythms as regiments moved into position.

He might have:

• Marched near the front or center of the regiment

• Played cadence to keep soldiers stepping together

• Seen artillery being moved forward

• Heard distant cannon fire getting louder

At this stage, excitement and fear mixed together.

When Battle Started Noise and Confusion

Once shooting began, drums became harder to hear. Smoke from black powder could make it hard to see more than a short distance.

At this point, Frank might have been ordered to:

1. Stay With the Regiment Musicians

Often moved slightly behind the main firing line.

2. Carry Orders or Messages

Fast boys were sometimes used as runners.

3. Move to Aid Stations

Many drummer boys helped:

• Carry water

• Help stretcher teams

• Assist surgeons by holding lamps or bringing bandages

Some drummer boys still played signals early in battle, but once fighting got intense, communication was mostly by officers shouting or bugles

What He Would Have Seen and Heard

This was often the most traumatic part.

Sounds

• Muskets firing in volleys

• Cannon blasts shaking the ground

• Men shouting and screaming

• Officers yelling commands

• Bullets hitting wood, metal, or earth

• Sights

• Thick white smoke clouds

• Men falling wounded

• Horses injured or panicking

• Flags moving forward or falling

For a 13-year-old, this could be overwhelming.

Mid-Battle Helping the Wounded

This is where many drummer boys became extremely important.

Frank might have:

• Carried water to wounded soldiers

• Helped move wounded to field hospitals

• Held lanterns in dark or smoky conditions

• Helped calm frightened or dying soldiers

Some drummer boys later became famous for bravery doing exactly this.

After the Fighting Stopped

The battlefield did not become peaceful just quieter.

Frank might have:

• Helped search for wounded men

• Helped bury the dead

• Helped gather dropped equipment

• Sat in shock, exhaustion, or relief

Many soldiers cried after battle from grief, stress, or pure exhaustion.

Night After Battle

That night was often:

• Very quiet

• Emotionally heavy

• Full of whispered conversations

• Full of letter writing

Frank might have:

• Cleaned blood or mud off his drum

• Written home (if he could)

• Slept very deeply or not at all

Emotional Reality for a Boy His Age

Even if protected by soldiers, he still would have:

• Felt fear of death

• Seen things no child normally should

• Formed very strong bonds with soldiers

• Matured very quickly emotionally

Many Civil War drummer boys said later that battle days felt like weeks packed into hours.

This photo (uncolored) appeared in Frank Pettis’ Obituary in the newspaper

Frank Pettis proudly carrying the 19th Regimental Flag

12-year-old Frank Pettis reading a letter from his mother.

12-year-old Frank Pettis writing a letter home to his mother.

Haircuts would have been few and far between in camp

Every uniform has to be washed once in a while

And hung out to dry

Cleanliness' is next to Godliness

I hate KP duty!

When it rains it pours. A muddy camp is not pretty.

I didn't’ t sign up for this

Cool, clear water is really great. We don’t get much clean water when on a march, and sometimes have to rely on water in mud puddles!

Foraging in fields we pass is a lot of fun and it helps supplement our meals.

Gathering wood helps keep the fires burning

This is a lot better than hard tack and bitter coffee which sometimes was made from acorns, chicory, dandelions, rye or peanuts.

Been sittin’ here all day, and not a single bite

When an officer comes by, all enlisted men—and boys must offer up a salute.

s me seated on my friend’s lap on the porch. We are in New Bern, NC.

Actual, colorized enhanced photo.

That’s me with my drum on the right side of the photo. We are in front of the blockhouse in New Bern, NC. Actual, colorized photo.

They sometimes let me water the cavalry horses

Just sitin’ and thinkin’

It’s got to be shined so you can see your face in the leather

Sure is nice to sit a while after a long march

A backpack can seem mighty heavy after a long march

Sometimes after a meal, we get a few minutes of rest

Once in a while we march past some nice apple trees

This is where I call home most of the time

The boys taught me to play a new game, it’s called base ball

Relaxing between marches with my friend, Joey

I think I got this one!

We all get a photo taken to send home to our families

These photos can help identify us if something bad should happen

We don’t get much time to relax, but when we do, we make the most of it

This is the only shootin’ I enjoy doin’

We get most of our war news from the papers just like you do

I pricked my finger twice today

I love making music with my father, Amos

My father lets me play his fife, but I’m not very good at it

Sitting by the fire with my father on a chilly evening

When you’re only 12, you are thankful to have your father around

I joined the army with my teacher, A.P. Ellenwood

My

teacher, A.P. Ellenwood

Just out here in the woods where’s it’s quiet, practicing with my drum

Before I joined the Army, I didn’t know anything about playing a drum

How do you like my uniform?

Foraging for water melons while on a march

Finally, on my way home after 5 years in the army

It’s great to be back in Wisconsin again and headed to Reedsburg

My father came to meet me at the train

It’s great to see him again

And it’s great to see the folks back home too

I love playing my drum when it’s not during a battle

Me and my father make a great duo leading this parade

The images on this page and the next 2, have been artificially aged using AI.

After I got out of the army, I went to work in my father’s clothing store

I also worked in a flour mill for most of the rest of my life

I raised melons and shared them with people in Reedsburg

How I looked before I left for the Army

Hello, Mr. President. Nice to meet you!

Can you hear me now?

Both my father, Amos, and I made it safely back to Reedsburg after the war in 1865. I got married to Jane Pomeroy in 1870 and we had five children— one son and four daughters.

My mother died in 1916, my father passed away in 1880. I died August 15, 1918 at the age of 68 and rest in Green Wood Cemetery in Reedsburg.