A wild Civil War story for you all

[Warpy]

33. 160 years, plus or minus a few

They had laws against child soldiers back then, but the kid was stubborn as hell and wouldn't leave. I guess they figured handing him a drum and keeping him in the rear would keep him out of the way and safer than just having him anywhere near the front. He was likely more mascot than anything else until he'd been wounded by shrapnel, issued a cut down gun so he could defend himself.

He most likely got a special enlistment when it finally happened, a kid who had been wounded twice having earned his place. Besides, he just wouldn't quit and go home.

I know it's hard for us to wrap our heads around, but that's how a lot of poor kids found their professions, they just showed up and wouldn't leave. Child labor was the norm and some children wanted to choose something besides dangerous mining and factory work.

Don't blame the parents, they likely had so many mouths to feed that when one disappeared into work, they were grateful, especially if the kids sent them some of his/her income.