We find a few in the list who were only sixteen and seventeen years.

In this regiment, we find two captains only twenty-one years of age, and three lieutenants who were only twenty.

This regiment was exceptional in regard to age, though we find that over twenty-five per cent of several companies, taken at random, were under age.

Even boys of fourteen and fifteen were enlisted as musicians, "drummer boys," and served out their full term.
It can, therefore, be truthfully said, that those who were literally "boys" did their full and fair share in fighting for the Union.

Perhaps even a larger proportion of minors served in the navy than in the army; and the record of some of them could be recited to prove that in those days boys became men prematurely, and distinguished themselves by brave and daring deeds.
The incidents of the story contained in this volume are suggested by actual occurrence during the Rebellion, though they are not absolutely historical details, but are as probable as many real events of the war.
The enemy were busy in some of the Northern cities, and there were many daring operations undertaken by them which justify the story in its principal features.