Three pictures of Victorian children in a row

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Children of War

War. It may seem like an adult concept, but for American children in the 1860s, as is the case for many children around the world today, war was their daily reality, affecting their lives, their families, and their futures.

Johnny Clem

At age 12, Johnny Clem was the youngest soldier in the Union Army. He started life a drummer but quickly traded his drum for a gun when the fighting started.

Peleg Bradford

A young soldier, a member of the 18th Maine Volunteers, who gets more than he bargains for.

Tillie Pierce

A 15 year old girl, Tillie Pierce leaves here house in downtown Gettysburg for the safety of a nearby barn, only to find herself at a field hospital.

Sue Chancellor

A young girl whose house is turned into a hospital during the Battle of Chancellorsville.

Burpee Family

Thomas Burpee, father of two, was killed in battle, leaving his family behind to deal with it.

Rice Family

A newly-free African-American father writes to the woman who still owns his children.

Want to learn more?

Check out this information about children on the battlefield and children on the home front from the Civil War Trust.