The Incredible True Story of The Civil War's Youngest Soldier

This is the story of Johnny Clem America's " Most United American" and also the Civil War's youngest soldier. It's also the first installment of the Rad People video series by Rad History.

Johnny Clem was the youngest soldier in United States Military History. Johnny Clem was a soldier for most of his life. He enlisted when he was nine years old after his mothers death. He was rejected for his age but eventually found a place in the 22nd Michigan. Johnny Clem's military spans over 5 decades and he saw many conflicts and witnessed the expansion into the American West. Johnny Clem, known for being the Civil Wars youngest soldier was also called "the most United American".

Enjoy this tale and find out more about Johnny Clem | America's "Most United American"
00:00 Introduction
05:58 Civil War Service
06:59 Quartermaster days

[maryflorio]

Johnny Klem is my great, great uncle. I live in Newark Ohio after retiring from the US Air Force (1974 to 1995). My mom was born and raised in Newark and my dad in Zanesville Ohio. We spent equal time in both Newark and Zanesville, but were born and raised in Zanesville. It's my mom's side of the family that's related to Johnny Klem. I'm the first female in my family to join the military. You've raised some questions about this history that I'm going to look into. This is a quite accurate historical synopsis of my great, great uncle's life. Well done.

[LordOfLuck]

Such a fascinating story, thank you so much for bringing attention to it 👍

[Rgarizonahomestead]

That's one hell of a kid and his military service

[Mike-hpdd]

Just a moment Rad History - Peter Conover Haines. Born - July 6, 1840. Graduated West Point June 1861, commissioned and promoted to 2nd and 1st. Lt. on July 24, 1861. Participated in the Siege of Vicksburg. Promoted to Captain July 18, 1863. Stayed in the Regular Army - promoted to Major, Sept. 22, 1870. Distinguished service in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, designed the Morris Island Lighthouse and the St. Augustine Lighthouse. Designed the Washington DC Tidal Basin. Promoted to Lt. Colonel Sept 16, 1886. Still in active service during the Spanish-American War, promoted to Brigadier General-Volunteers May 27, 1898 - discharged from the Volunteers Nov. 30, 1898 and then promoted to regular Brigadier General on April 21, 1903. He retired from the Regular Army July 6, 1904 - but wait - promoted to Major General on the retired list on August 20, 1916 - he was recalled into active service in Sept., 1917 at the age of 77 - the oldest active duty officer at the time. Left active duty in the Fall of 1918. Peter Conover Haines is the only officer to serve on active duty in the Civil War, the Spanish-American War - and WWI. And it is guessed that no other soldier of any rank did that. One more fun fact: he was the West Point classmate of George Custer.

[tickles]

Never heard of "CHICAMUNGA''
I've heard of CHICKAMAUGA

[kenowens]

Buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

[rc]

As much as I appreciate seeing someone cover his story West Point Military Academy is in New York not Virginia. Virginia has the Virginia Military Institute.

[half-a-man]

That's Chickamauga not Chickamaugwa.

[patrickfreeman]

If this music doesn't stop repeating itself I'm gonna just stop watching the video

[johnwilliamson]

If you study Clem’s medals you’ll see that he is wearing The Medal of Honor on his chest. More than likely that was from the Civil War, as that was the only medal that was awarded at that time.

[jamesEdwards-jb]

That really bothers me! Chickamunga! Chickamauga.

[angloaust]

No age restrictions in those days even nelson joined at 12

[lindarobinson]

Interested how about the oldest in usa military yours truly Evans w Robinson ret sgt

[AJ-xekt]

LMAO this video is literally a high schooler "not plagiarizing" from Wikipedia, read the John Clem page along with this video for a nearly full script

[USMC]

Kind of shows the age limitation for exercising your Second Amendment rights is unconstitutional.

[silverstar]

How many names are mispronounced? Is it intentional?

[CaptainCold]

Check your pronunciation. It is Chickamauga, not chicka monga. And it was Ulysses S. Grant not Ulysses A. Grant.

[tickles]

West Point Virginia? WTF?
WHAT KIND OF HISTORIAN ARE YOU?

[petehealy]

Dopey, repetitive script. Dopey, repetitive music. Howler mispronunciations and inaccurate "facts." Downvote.