Brooklyn in Kings County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Our Drummer Boy

By Bill Coughlin, November 1, 2008

1. Our Drummer Boy Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Erected by the Drum and Bugle Corps of the 13th Regt. N.G., S.N.Y., in memory of Clarence D. MacKenzie, born Feb. 8, 1849, Died at Annapolis, MD., June 11, 1861, aged 12 yrs 4 mos 3 dys

Back of Monument:
This young life was the first offering from King’s County in the War of the Rebellion

Erected 1886 by Drum and Bugle Corps of the 13th Regt. N.G., S.N.Y.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • War, US Civil.

Location. 40° 39.266′ N, 73° 59.303′ W. Marker is in Brooklyn, New York, in Kings County. Marker is on Linden Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Marker is in Green-Wood Cemetery on Linden Avenue (Section 115, Lot 13536). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Brooklyn NY 11232, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. "Civic Virtue" (approx. 0.2 miles away); Civil War Soldiers’ Monument (approx. 0.2 miles away); Altar to Liberty (approx. 0.2 miles away); Battle Hill (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Battle of Brooklyn

Left Side of Monument image. Click for full size.

By Bill Coughlin, November 1, 2008

2. Left Side of Monument

(approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named The Battle of Brooklyn (approx. 0.2 miles away); Huntington’s Regiment (approx. 0.2 miles away); Triumph on Battle Hill (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brooklyn.

More about this marker. The left of the monument contains a military decoration with the words “Our Drummer Boy” and the date of MacKenzie's death, 1861. The right of the monument features crossed flags under the monument erection date of 1886, and the inscription “Our Drummer Boy”.

Also see . . .
1. Brooklyn’s little drummer boy. Ephemeral New York website. (Submitted on November 4, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of North Arlington, New Jersey.)

2. The Green-Wood Cemetery. (Submitted on November 4, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of North Arlington, New Jersey.)

Back of Monument image. Click for full size.

By Bill Coughlin, November 1, 2008

3. Back of Monument

Right Side of Monument image. Click for full size.

By Bill Coughlin, November 1, 2008

4. Right Side of Monument

Our Drummer Boy Monument image. Click for full size.

By Bill Coughlin, November 1, 2008

5. Our Drummer Boy Monument

12 year old Clarence MacKenzie was a member of 13th Regiment of the New York State Militia. Before seeing any action, he was accidentally shot and killed in Annapolis during drill practice by another member of his regiment. He was the first Brooklyn resident to die in the Civil War.

Closeup of Drummer Boy image. Click for full size.

By Bill Coughlin, November 1, 2008

6. Closeup of Drummer Boy

This life size statue, cast in white zinc, depicts the Drummer Boy dressed in his uniform, standing at parade rest with his drum. His monument is surrounded by the graves of other Civil War casualties.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 26, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 4, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of North Arlington, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,683 times since then and 2 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 4, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of North Arlington, New Jersey.