The Drummer Boy of Shiloh

Usually in a  war, soldiers are nervous and afraid of battle, but some also show bravery and they believe that they are immortal. In The Drummer Boy of Shiloh," a fourteen year old boy named Joby is the new drummer boy for one of the sides in the civil war.This boy is just scared of war because he believes that he doesn't stand a chance in the war even because he thinks he's going to die, even though he's just going to be drumming. In the end, Joby overcomes his fear by talking to the general.

Why is Joby so afraid? Well  the troops and Joby are in a forest where nothing seems like what it really is. Anything can happen at anytime. Joby was deep in thought he said,"Me, I got only a drum, two sticks to beat it, and no shield." This proved to me that he was really scared because  he feels hopeless and that there is no way he'll survive. Joby  can't take it! Joby is so scared that he even starts to cry, and what makes it worse is that no one is there to comfort him.Except when the general comes.

Joby  has no courage at all and who's there to change that? The general! One way the general helps, is by letting Joby know it okay to cry. By the general doing this, it lets Joby know that he'll be able to go home, the general even told him, "Many years from now,when you're as old or far much older then me, when they ask you what you did in this awful time, you will tell them-one part humble and one part proud- I was a drummer boy at the battle of Owl Creek or Tennessee River." The fact the general even thinks Joby will survive, gives him more courage.

The general also helped Joby by letting him know how important being a drummer boy is. The general said,"You are the heart of the army,"and Joby couldn't believe it! The general also said by the way that Joby hits his drum is the way the army matches. If the beat is slow, then the army will feel depressed and have no energy, but if the beat is strong, then the army will march strong and be ready to fight. Since the general said this, Joby feels more ready then ever and he can't wait to drum.

Joby has gotten his courage and it was all because of the general. When I think about our world and the way we get over our fears are usually from the help of someone else. This person gives us advice or comforts us when we need it. I know when i start a new school and i'm afraid, I can always ask my mom for advice. The advice that general gave Joby was great and now Joby is ready to play his best and forget about his fears.