Edward Black (May 30, 1853 – June 30, 1872) is considered the youngest serving soldier of the
American Civil War
The American Civil War (April 12, 1861 – May 26, 1865; also known by other names) was a civil war in the United States. It was fought between the Union ("the North") and the Confederacy ("the South"), the latter formed by states th ...
. He had a twin brother, Edwin, who died in 1854.
Early life
U.S. military service
Edward Black was recruited at the age of eight, on July 24, 1861, as a
drummer boy for the 21st Indiana Infantry. He was told to return home later that year and did as told. He returned later that year and enlisted again, but this time with his father. He was captured at the
Battle of Baton Rouge, but was freed when the city fell and discharged in September 1862. He re-enlisted in February 1863, and served with the
1st Indiana Heavy Artillery until January 1866. He died at age 19 in 1872 and was interred along with his twin brother Edwin in
Crown Hill National Cemetery
Crown Hill National Cemetery is a U.S. National Cemetery located in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana. It was established in 1866 on Section 10 within Crown Hill Cemetery, a privately owned cemetery on the city's northwest side. Administered ...
in
Indianapolis
Indianapolis (), colloquially known as Indy, is the state capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Indiana and the seat of Marion County. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the consolidated population of Indianapolis and Marion ...
. The drum Black used is now in the collection of the
Children's Museum of Indianapolis.
Death
He died from the injuries and trauma he suffered in the war at age 19. He was buried along with his brother William Black.
See also
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William Black
William is a masculine given name of Norman French origin.Hanks, Hardcastle and Hodges, ''Oxford Dictionary of First Names'', Oxford University Press, 2nd edition, , p. 276. It became very popular in the English language after the Norman conques ...
External links
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1853 births
1872 deaths
Burials at Crown Hill Cemetery
Union Army soldiers
Child soldiers in the American Civil War
{{AmericanCivilWar-bio-stub