Edward L. Hager grew up in White Hall and worked in farming. On November 13, 1861, he enlisted at Carrollton, Illinois, in Company 61st Illinois Infantry, presumably as a member of the Band, Fife and Drum Crop. Military records show he was 16 years of age, though local records disagree. The 61st Illinois was one of the units that took part in the Battle of Shiloh at Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee. On April 6, 1862, Confederates launched a strong surprise attack against Union forces, and in that battle Pvt. Edward L. Hager was mortally wounded. He was returned to White Hall, where he died of his wounds on May 30, 1862. Legend says that during the heat of the battle, young Hager put down his drum and took up a musket.