The Drummer Boy of Shiloh

Recently, I have read a gripping and a very insightful short story called "The Drummer Boy of Shiloh" by Ray Bradbury, which tells the tale of a 14 year old boy named Joby, a drummer boy for the Union army caught in the Civil War. Joby is like the many men fighting under Ulysses S. Grant, hoping and praying that they’ll return to their family and friends safely. Through noticing these feelings and emotions in Joby and the soldiers, I began to interpret a theme that is very common in stories relating to war. Many if not all soldiers most likely wanted to return home to see their family and friends. This was most likely the case for the Confederate Army too. Both sides, didn't want to kill one another. Both sides, were afraid to die. In most dire situations such as war, both groups of people in this case the Union and the Confederates are more alike then they are different.

In the climax of the story, Joby is contemplating his thoughts about the war and his family when General Grant walks up to him. He begins to tell Joby how both sides are hoping for the same thing to occur. He says, “Both sides figuring the other will just give up.” Both the Union and the Confederate Army desired the same thing which was for one side to retire and for the war to end. The idea of two groups of people killing one another over a disagreement is immature. Grant continues his thoughts on the war by saying, “And the war done in weeks and us all home.” Family is another way that both the Confederate and Union army are very similar rather than they are different. Many if not all soldiers in the war wanted to reunite with their family safely. The families of the soldiers too were worrying whether or not a brother, cousin or other loved one would return.

At first Joby is afraid. He is all alone among the other groups of soldiers. One reason is because he is a drummer boy without any weapon or shield to protect himself. Joby believes that sooner or later he'll die. However, General Grant sees Joby’s purpose completely differently. He believes that Joby is the one who leads the army. He believes that every time the stick hits the drum he puts a piece of steel on every soldier. He believes that without Joby beating a steady upbeat rhythm, the Union Army would surely lose. Grant then says, “So there you are, that’s it. Will you do that, boy? Do you know now you’re general of the army when the general’s left behind?” Inspired by General Grants words he overcomes his fear of dying and prepares to become the Drummer Boy of Shiloh that Grant wants. Maybe there was a drummer boy fighting with the Confederates as well. Maybe he too was wondering about his family and maybe he was overcoming his fear of death like Joby. So maybe in dire situations it is others going the same problems that help us manage and cope with the same issues.