The Drummer Boy: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
The Drummer Boy: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

The Drummer Boy is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Trowbridge, J. T. (John Townsend) (1827–1916).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The Drummer Boy" by J. T. Trowbridge is a historical novel written in the late 19th century. The story follows young Frank Manly, a determined boy who wishes to enlist as a drummer boy during the Civil War, against the emotional objections of his family. The narrative explores themes of patriotism, bravery, and personal sacrifice amidst the backdrop of a nation at war. The opening of the novel introduces Frank's heartfelt conversation with his family one autumn evening in 1861, as he expresses his desire to join the fight for the Union. His mother is visibly distressed, fearing for his safety; his sister Helen teases him about his ambition, while his youngest sister, Hattie, an invalid, pleads for him to stay. Despite the family's concerns, Frank stands firm, believing it is his duty to serve his country, especially in light of having a brother who is a traitor. The emotional tension culminates in his mother's eventual consent, not without a promise for Frank to maintain his integrity in the face of battle. As the story progresses, Frank prepares to leave home, filled with both excitement and trepidation, thus setting the stage for his adventures as a soldier.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The Drummer Boy
- Author credits: Trowbridge, J. T. (John Townsend) (1827–1916)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Juvenile fiction
Gutenberg collections
- Category: American Literature
- Category: Historical Novels
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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.


