Hearing loud lamentations coming from the direction of Mrs.C.'s room, he started for home where he told his mother that the work was too severe for him and fearing the lady would refuse to let him go, he left without bothering her for a reference.
About this time the war of the rebellion broke out and the fever burned fiercely in Pittsburgh and vicinity.

Paul longed to join the great bodies of troops that were being hurried to the front, especially so, when he saw boat loads of his old friends, the gallant "buck-tail" boys coming down the river to enlist.

He spent all his spare time hanging around the headquarters of the forming regiments.

One day he asked a recruiting officer if he needed a drummer boy.

"You are pretty small, sonny," said the soldier, "can you drum ?" "No," said Paul, "but I can learn mighty quick." Pleased with the answer, the soldier took him to his headquarters and said: "Here is a little volunteer." Paul was closely questioned and untruthfully assured the officers in charge that his mother would be glad to get rid of him.