Greetings and thank you to you both!
Demir, I agree about the age issue, I felt much the same. It was later pointed out to me that drummer boys were accepted in the US Civil War, later, at even younger ages, so that I should not entirely discount the possibility. I've been trying to keep an open mind about it, though it does seem puzzling.
Just as background, most newspapers and other publications of Muzzarelli's time, when writing about him, claim he belonged to French Legion of Honor. I did consult lists for that honor and he's not included. So when I found this newspaper article, I thought perhaps this is the correct order, though the timing seems odd.
I do not know who Paul Dawson. Is he a member here?