Name/Title
William T. KimseyEntry/Object ID
2021.87.25Scope and Content
The Local Observer newspaper Remembering When - Our History article titled "The Drummer Boy"
June 22, 2005.
By Jack Sheridan and Jim Schmiechen and Kit Lane.
Digital files use to create this article and associated resources at 2021.72.02Context
THE DRUMMER BOY
William T. Kimsey, according to some sources, had visited and worked in the print shops of Michigan, and perhaps the Saugatuck area, as early as 1855. However, he was running a newspaper in Dekalb County, Indiana, when he and his brother John enlisted, as musicians, in the 44th Indiana Infantry on September 25, 1861.
William became a drummer of Co. K. After a rocky first year--he deserted in November of 1862, but returned to duty in April 1863 after President Lincoln declared amnesty for deserters who returned to their regiments--he was rapidly promoted to drum major, and then principal musician of the entire regiment.
After the war Kimsey moved to Saugatuck and worked in the print shops of the Douglas Weekly Record and the Saugatuck Commercial, as well as carrying on a commercial printing business. He had returned from the war with the drum that he had used at Chickamauga and other major battles and was much in demand to lead parades and play for memorial services. In 1930 he participated in an encampment of musicians at Chicago and was chosen to play the long roll on the radio. Kimsey died October 9, 1932, at Fort Wayne, where he had gone to attend a reunion of his old regiment.
He was a resident of Douglas and lived in the two story square home on Spring Street across Lawn Street from the first Red Barn Theatre. The structure was razed in the 1970s.
By Kit LaneCollection
Remembering WhenCataloged By
Winthers, SallyAcquisition
Accession
2021.87Source or Donor
Sheridan, John "Jack" O. 1938-Acquisition Method
DonationLocation
* Untyped Location
Digital data in CatalogItRelationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Sheridan, John "Jack" O. 1938-, Schmiechen, James A., Lane, Kit 1939-2024, Kimsey, William Thomas 1839-1932Related Events
Event
American Civil War 1861-1865Related Publications
Publication
Local ObserverCreate Date
December 3, 2021Update Date
November 18, 2023
