The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-12-03

Gottingen. In Germany Though born
In London. his parents wcro Amcricans:
ana his blood thrilled with patriotism
when the war clouds began to gather
| over his beloved United States.
Reaching Now York at the time OF
the nattle OF Antietam. when the
streets thronged with excited citizens
who were-'reading the latest bulletins
from the front. the youth enlisted in
tho l7Gth Now York Regiment, md
, Immediately went to the battle-Iine.
! This college student served his flag
gailantly and rapidly rose until he was
major OF the regiment. He was with
t ,h g ; Growers corps that formed
the last barrier before Early's Con-
federate army at Cedar Creek and held
IT until General Sheridan arrived on his
/ historic ride from Winchester
Adventures OF Daring Boy Lieu
tenant.
In the streets of Louisville, XIV, to-
day there Is to be seen a man of SOL
Utterly bearing, who as a boy passed
through adventures that are stranger
IMAM romance. This man Is General
Bennett IL. Young. He was lad OF
seventeen years when he Joined the
Coniederacy as IA private In the
Eighth Kentucky Cavalry and fre-
quenty accompanied General John ii.
Morgan on his during raids
In the fall of 1864. when the cause
OF the Confederacy had become des-
perate. many strategic plans were
/ adopted to force Grants army from
It's siege of Petersburg. Secret agents
enaeaHored to create a division by
burning cities In the North. The boy
officer, Young, lieutenant of cayalry,
/ conceived the Idea OF attacking ST.
Adams, VT. In October, with twenty
hVe Confederates, he crossed the in
ternattoual border and suddenly ap-
pesred in the street OF st. Adams.
and q sharp engagement occurred, in
which several were killed and wound
ed.
! Whom tho war was over, Young ned
with General Breckenridge to Mexico
to escape the vengeance OF the Fed
eral government, and there remained
Tor three and a half years. To-day, a
half century later. this soldier boy is
one Of the ablest lawyers in this coun-
F; try.
Boy Officer Who became President of
| the United States.
/ One OF the youngest officers in tho
! Federal army was a lad seventeen
| Years of age, who enlisted in tho
Twenty-third Ohio Volunteers. who was
the President of the United States. 1t
was tho sturdy lad. William Mckinley.
! Within fourteen months Of his en-
istment he was promoted to sergeant
for gnllantry in action.
/ During the bloodiest single days bat
tie In the war. Antietam. Mckinley
was promoted again to lieutenant. He
was detailed In the commIssary de-
psrtment Tho battle had begun be-
Tore the Federnis had time to eat
, breakfast In the Afternoon they were
! weakening from hunger. Tho future
President had meat cooked in big cald-
rons, and quantities OF coffee boiled
The steaming food was placed on wa
CONS. and young Mckinley led the pro-
oession driving the first team through
terrific FIRE to the front. where his
| welcome rations were distributed
among the men while they were in
| battle.
! "A few days later, General Hayes
enthusiastically described the action
to Governor Tod. Of Ohio.
! Let Mckinley be promoted to lieu
tenant Immediately" commanded the
{. Governor.
During the battle OF Kernstown,
young Mckinley displayed great cour-
age In carrying out an order from his
commanding-gene a regiment had
been misplaced in the battle-lne, and
seemed In imminent danger Of annihila-
tion. Mckinley was ordered to bring
1t in. His path lay through the thick
| est part OF the storm OF bullets that
was sweeping the field Mounted on
! fleet horse. he began his dush to the
rescue. His head was bent low over the
| horse to escape the bullets; his face
was set and stern. Winning his way
through the maelstrom unframed, he
delivered his message and led the regi-
ment TO its proper position with main
| army.
When the war ended. Mckinley was
Just old enough to cast his nrst ballot
and bore the title of major. by which
) he preferred to be known in after
years. as he considered his experience
| on the battle-llne as the formative
period of his life.
Great Generals Son Enlisted ms a
| Private.
There lives In Virginia, on this an
| niVersary. the youngest son of GEN
| eral Lee, who at the age of eighteen,
enlisted in the Confederate army as
| private under General Stonewall
| Jackson. AT the outbreak of the war
he mad begged his father TO be al
lowed to enlist The general refused.
saying, The war may last ten years.
Where are our ranks to be filled from
thcn"
! However. in the spring of 1862. he
allowed the son Robert Il. Lee, Jr., TO
enlist in "Stonewall" Jackson's array,
joining the famous Rockbridge artii-
cry as NO. l." of the battery. The
son Of the commanding general had
enlisted as Il private.
Father and son met but infrequently
| on the battlefield. 1t was at Antietam
that the general sent his son into bat
| tie where 1t seemed instant death to
I,,.
ousy and had lost many men and
horses. Three guns were disabled, and
The battery was ordered to timber up
and retire. On a crest In the rear tho
artillerymen met General Lee and a
group of offers, all dismounted.
The captain of the battery explained
the situation. and asked for orders.