Charles City in Charles City County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Willie Johnston

Photographed by Don Morfe, June 23, 2012

1. Willie Johnston Marker

Inscription. At Harrison's Landing on July 4th, 1862, Willie Johnston — age 11, 3rd Vermont drummer boy played for Div. Review. For keeping his drum during the arduous 7 days battles, he was awarded the Medal of Honor by Sec. of War Stanton. He remains the youngest recipient of the Medal of Honor. His gravesite is unknown.

Erected 2012 by The Vermont Civil War Hemlocks.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Medal of Honor Recipients series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 4, 1862.

Location. 37° 18.908′ N, 77° 10.755′ W. Marker is in Charles City, Virginia, in Charles City County. It can be reached from Harrison Landing Road 0.7 miles south of Westover Road (Virginia Route 633), on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Charles City VA 23030, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Coastal Virginia.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Origin of Taps (within shouting distance of this marker); Signer Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Benjamin Harrison (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Benjamin Harrison (about 300 feet away, measured

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

in a direct line); Instructions Given (about 500 feet away); Commemorating the 350th Anniversary at Berkeley Hundred (about 500 feet away); Lane to Site of First Thanksgiving (about 600 feet away); Capt. John Woodliffe (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charles City.

Additional keywords. child soldiers

Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, April 6, 2023

2. Willie Johnston Marker

Marker is flush with the ground. St. James River in background.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 26, 2021, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 612 times since then and 24 times this year. Last updated on April 21, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1. submitted on September 18, 2012, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 2. submitted on May 13, 2023, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.