Military officer; born in
Newark, O., in 1851.
In May, 1861, he attempted to enlist as a drummer-boy in the 3d Ohio Volunteers, but was rejected on account of his size and age. Subsequently he accompanied the 22d Michigan Volunteers to the field, and in the summer of 1862 was regularly enlisted as a drummer in that regiment.
He displayed a fearless spirit in the
battle of Shiloh, where his drum was destroyed by a piece of shell.
At the
battle of Chickamauga he served as a marker, carried a musket instead of a drum, and especially distinguished himself.
He had been in the thickest of the fight, and three bullets had passed through his hat, when, separated from his companions, he was seen running, with a musket in his hand, by a mounted Confederate colonel, who called out, “Stop!
You little Yankee devil!”
The boy halted and brought his musket to an order, when the colonel rode up to make him a prisoner.
With a swift movement, young
Clem brought his gun up and fired, killing the colonel
instantly.
He escaped; and for this exploit on the battle-field he was made a sergeant, put on duty at headquarters of the Army of the Cumberland, and placed on the Roll of Honor.
In 1871 he was appointed a second lieutenant in the 24th United States Infantry; in 1874 was promoted to first lieutenant; in 1882 to captain and assistant quartermaster; and in 1895 to major and quartermaster.
In 1875 he was graduated at the Artillery School.
He was long familiarly known as “
Johnny Clem, the drummer-boy of
Chickamauga,” and since his connection with the army has made himself very popular among his immediate superiors, and won and held the esteem of the authorities in
Washington.
