A Different Drummer: The Adventures of a Civil War Hero and Artist by Phyllis Scott Johnson

After our great tour of the Vermont State House in Montpelier, we stepped into the gift shop.  I had a pleasant conversation with a couple of ladies running the place.  They were very sweet, and very enthusiastic about Vermont's history.

I went on and on about how much I loved seeing the painting by Julian Scott at the State House.

Well, one of the ladies I was talking to told me about Phyllis Scott Johnson's book, "A Different Drummer:  The Adventures of a Civil War Hero and Artist" about Julian Scott.  I picked it up immediately in the gift shop.

Julian Scott served in the Civil War with the 3rd Vermont infantry lying about his age to join (he was 15, but said he was 16).  He served as a drummer, and won a Medal of Honor during his military career!

Scott was an exceptional artist though, and his works are still very admired.  I mentioned that his epic piece, "Battle of Cedar Creek" is proudly on display at the Vermont State House.

Author Phyllis Scott Johnson is related to Julian Scott (he is her great-uncle).  She has done a great job of creating an easy to read account of Julian Scott and his life.  This would be a very nice book for a young reader who is just getting interested in the Civil War.