Drum Taps in Dixie: Memories of a Drummer Boy 1861-1865 [2nd NY Heavy Arty., II Corps] by Delavan S. Miller. 256 pp., hc, dj. Rep. of 1905 ed.

Drum Taps in Dixie

by Delavan S. Miller

The National Museum of the Civil War Soldier, located at Pamplin Historical Park, is the most innovative Civil War museum todate. Each visitor begins their journey by selecting a comrade from one of thirteen real Civil War soldiers. Visitors hear an actor read the actual words taken from their Tellers, diaries, or memoirs of the soldier comrade they picked when they entered.

Delavan S. Miller is one of those comrades. He enlisted at the age of 12 and served as a drummer in Co. H, 2nd New York Heavy Artillery. That unit began the war occupying the fortifications surrounding Washington, D.C. However, in May 1864, the 2nd New York Heavy Artillery was transferred to the Second Corps of the Army of the Potomac. The regiment saw action throughout the rest of the war, suffering over 1,100 battle casualties.

Delavan Miller observed the war through young, impressionable eyes. His charming memoir clearly indicates that this Union drummer boy was deeply affected by his experiences which he found to be both exciting and scary. The record he has left provides a wonderful primary source for the last year of the war, from Spotsylvania, to Cold Harbor, and Petersburg to the surrendor at Appomattox.