I have a collateral ancestor who served as a drummer in the Virginia 19th Heavy Artillery Battalion from spring 1863 until the end of the conflict. His name was William Thomas Blakey. This battalion was attached to the Department of Richmond and defended the city of Richmond. It was active at Drewry's Bluff, in the siege of Petersburg and around Appomattox. It's commanders were Lt. Col. John Atkinson and Major N.R. Cary. William was twelve years old when he joined. He also had a slightly older brother, John G. Blakey, who joined the same battalion in March of 1864 as a soldier in the unit.