The National tribune., 1892-04-14
THE YOUNGEST COLONEL.
The Son OF Veteran Claims that Honor for Gen.
IIObS0u,

HObsOn.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: In your issue
of Jan. a. s. b. Doone, Geneva, ILL.,, writes
II saw few weeks since in Kentucky paper
that Col. Billy Hobson, 18Th KY, is claimed as
having been the youngest Colonel during the
war-22 years old. | can name man who can
beat that. Col. Andrew Geddes, 9Th Iowa, was
promoted to Lieutenant Colonel of his regiment
before he was 10 years old, virtually Colonel
| commanding the regiment for at that time
there was vacancy of Colonel. So
/ claim practically he was Colonel from little
while before he was 10 until the regiment was
mustered out of service. He could not be
mustered in as Colonel, as the regiment was
below minimum required by law"
The following extract from The Herald and
Inteligencer, published at Washington, d. G.,
under date of Sept. ], 1889, giving the inter
view with Gen. Schofeld, and presenting facts
and dates by Veteran" to correct the Cen
erals impression of "not more than o." goes
to show beyond question that Col. Hobson was
the youngest Colonel during the war; Should
l assume and "claim practically" it would
make him the youngest Brigadier.-SoN OF A
VETERAN, Bowling Green, Ky.
Gen. Schofield told me that he had In his corps
the Twenty-third, one of the youngest Coloncls he
ever knew in the Army of the Cumberland. This
William e. Hobson. OF Bowling Green, KY
who was commanding a veteran Kentucky regi-
ment when he not more than 90. Part of
the time," said Gen. SChofied, this boy was the
ranking Colonel of his brigade. and pluckier,
more intrepid fighter / never had under me-"
Col. Hobson was born on the 9Th day of January,
1874, consequently was in Ills 18th year when he
entered the army. He was first commissioned
Major Of the 18th KY, and distinguished himself
in Kentucky. He was soon commissioned Lieu
tenant Colonel, and in March, 1868, commissioned
Colonel of the 18th, then in his 10Th year.
in the Summer his regiment was connected with
the East Tennessee campaign, and at London was
stationed to guard the crossing OF the Tennessee
X. yer. When Longstreet advanced upon the place
in overwhelming numbers Col. Hobson was select
cd TO cover the retreat of Burnside upon Knoxville.
At Hutfs Ferry he encountered Lopgstreets ad-
vance and fought that distinguished corps for
several hours losing Al men. and staying the adj
vance until the Union retreat was secured For
this exploit the Colonel received the thanks of
Gen. Burnside and was regarded as the hero Of
HUf's Ferry"
AT Campbell's Station he put in commad Of
the Second Brigade, Benjamin's battery 4th u. s.
Art, at the time commanded by young Bartlett,
and two regiments of cavalry, and ordered TO cover
the retreat of the entire army upon Knoxville,
receiving his instructions personally from Gen.
Burnside.
So carefully was this duty performed that he
ceived the Generals personal thanks. During the
siege of Knoxville young Hobson distinguished
himself in command of his troops After the
sufferings of the Winter campaign young
Hobson was transferred especially to command
the First Brigade, Second Division, Twenty third
Corps, under Schofe!d, and in all the battles of
Sherman's Georgia campaign. from BuZzard Roost
and IeSaca to and around Atlanta he took u con-
spicuous part, and in the intervals between fights
managed to bring his brigade TO high state Of
perfection In drill and discipline. Near Kcnesaw
he was put in command of the Second Brigade of
the Second Division, Twenty third Corps, which
position he held until the fall Of Atlanta. After
this Col. Hobson was ordered 10 Kentucky, and
assigned TO command the post mt Bowling Green,
KY. with the view of re-enlising his regiment.
In the meantime the battle of Nashville had been
fought, which virtually ended the war, and the
gallant 18Th Ky. Inf. and its youthful commander
mustered out on the 18th of January 1863
Had been mustered ont ut the end of three years
December 1864, Col. Hobson would have retired
from the service "A veteran before reaching his 2lst
year.-VETERAy.