The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-12-21
SOLDIERS BUDGET
Loren W Young.

Loren w. Young, who at the time of
his death was the Oldest surviving vet
eran of the Civil War, died in St.
Johnsbury, November 20, at the adj
vanced age of ninety five years. He
was born in Canterbury, N. H., in 1903.
Two years after his parents removed to
the town of Waterford, where he lived
until he was of age. He afterward liv-
ed in the towns of Charlestown and
Sutton until 1892 when he made his
home with his daughter, Mrs. Marsh
all Clifford of st. Johnsbury. The
course of bis long life covered almost
the entire nineteenth century.
In 1861 at the age of fifty-eight years,
at time when many contemplate re-
retiring from active pursuits, he
thought it his duty to enlist in the SER
vice of his country, and joined the
First Vermont Cavalry and YVES mus
tered into service November 10 of that
year. Upon applying to be enrolled he
gave his age as forty-four years, and 1t
| is so entered on the adjutant generals
report. When questioned as to wheth-
er he was correct in his statement, he
made reply, "What is few months on
a mans age when he wishes to serve
his country" He was accepted, and
commenced active service in the cav
airy. He was in several engagements,
and it is told how in the Shenandoah
Valley upon the retreat of General
Banks from Strasburg, as he was driv-
ing an ambulance full of wounded SOL
dit re-, the train was attacked in front
and rear by parties of the enemy. The
whole train was thrown into terrible
confusion. Most of the drivers cutting
their horses loose, and seeking their
own escape regardless of all others.
Uncle Young, as he was known by his
comrs des, was exhorted to do likewise.
He heroically refused, saying "The
wounded boys were going out if he
did" Dismounting he tore down q
stonewall, drove his team over it, and
by cutting through fields and woods he
succeeded in bringing them through.
When the rebel cavalry under Gen.
eral Fiz Hugh Lee occupied Hanover,
Pa, just before the battle OF Gettys-
burg, "Uncle" Young was taken prs-
oner after receiving a sabre cut on his
hand. He was brought before Gener-
al Lee, who asked him, GLOW many
Yanks were there around there?"
Replying, he told him Enough to
whip the devil out of you" He was
paroled the same day and soon ex-
changed and returned to active service.
He was known by his comrades as
"Uncle" Young and he always manag-
ed to have slowed away in the wagon
seat of his ambulance some extra stores
which he was always anxious to share
with a needy comrade. His fertility
of resource and sound judgment al
ways made him welcome in the mess
among his younger comrades. He
served his full time of three years and
received an honorable discharge in
1864, when he had reached the age of
sixty-one years.
He came of good fighting stock, his
grandfather on his mothers side serv-
ing in the Revolutionary army, being
present at the battle of Bunker hill.
He remembered standing by his grand
fathers knee, and hearing him relate
incidents of this battle and others.
Probably from this source he drew
much of the enthusiasm and patriotism
which made him seek to serve his
country in his old age, when the fires
of youth no longer burned within him.
1t has been well said no people need
despair of their liberties 80 long as
they find mere youths and old men
ready to die in her defence.
His mother lived to the extreme age
of over one hundred years. His next
oldest brother, at the age of fifty four,
also enlisted in The army and served
three years. Mr.. Young was undoubted-
ly the oldest enlisted veteran of The Civil
War. He was an honored member Of
Chamberlin Post, G. A. r. Depart
ment of Vermont. The members to
the number of forty escorted his re-
mains to the grave. Comrade Young
was of an exceedingly genial nature,
enjoying life to the full and never de-
generating to excess. When he enlisted
he made resolution not to touch a
drop of spurious liquors which he rig
orously adhered to tor the remainder
of his life, dying at last at an extreme
old age, retaining his bodily vigor and
faculties almost to the last.
&c. P. g ST. JoHNsBURY.