Spencer Young Civil War History

A Brief History

of the Confederate Military Service of

Spencer Young

Drew County, Arkansas

Spencer Young, born April 15, 1843 in Carroll County, Mississippi, moved to Drew County, Arkansas with his father, Jesse Thomas Young around 1854. In 1861 at 18 years of age, Spencer Young, along with his cousin Ransom L. Chambers, joined Company C, 3rd Regiment Arkansas Infantry which was raised in Drew County by Captain T.M. Whittington. 

In mid June of 1861, the men of Company C departed Monticello, the county seat of Drew County, for Lynchburg, Virginia where military records show Spencer Young was officially mustered into the Confederate Army on June 20, 1861.  The record of his military service consisting of company muster rolls continues on a bimonthly basis through August 1864 with no unusual entries.

In May of 1864, medical records indicate that Spencer Young was wounded in the right thigh at the Battle of the Wilderness, Virginia.  The casualty list recording this injury includes no other information. In later years, Spencer Young asserted that the bullet he received form this battle remained in his thigh.

On September 29, 1864, Young was involved in a battle at Chaffins farm, Virginia.   During the fighting, the ensign or flag bearer was shot and killed.  Spencer Young retrieved the colors and continued in the battle. During the course of the battle, he too was severely wounded in the groin.

This incident is documented in a recommendation for commission issued by Captain A.C. Jones, company commander.  Spencer Young was granted the rank of ensign/lieutenant October 18, 1864.

Spencer Young spent the next several months in Confederate hospitals near Richmond, Virginia.  Military records indicate that he was initially treated at the Receiving and Wayside Hospital/General Hospital #9, Richmond on September 29 and was transferred the next day to Howard’s Grove Hospital, Richmond.

Inspection reports for this period originating from the Exterior Line Richmond Defenses, Charles City Road simply list Spencer Young as a casualty in the hospital with no additional detail of his medical condition. By February 25, 1865, the Medical Director’s office recommended Spencer Young, still a patient at Howard’s Grove hospital, for retirement.  This action was approved February 27, 1865 and he was officially retired from the Confederate Army March 15, 1865, certificate 1007.

During the war, Spencer Young received many wounds not documented in the available military files. One visible wound he carried was that the tip of his nose had been shot off.  A picture of Spencer Young in military uniform shows the second finger of his left hand missing at the middle joint.  This is not a war wound.  Family history holds that he lost the finger in a childhood accident.

Spencer's father, Jesse Thomas Young, enlisted in Company L of the Third Arkansas Regiment, organized July 1, 1861, in Latonia, Ashley county.  Only a few weeks from his 40th birthday, he did not muster with the troops when the unit moved on to Virginia.

After the war, Spencer Young donated his uniform and a Confederate flag to the State of Arkansas. These items are reportedly located at the Arkansas state capital.  A walking cane used by Spencer Young during his trek back to Arkansas after his discharge as well as the bayonet of his rifle are in the possession of his grandson, Woodrow W. Young of Killeen, Texas.

Spencer Young married Margaret Mary Hale (of Bradley County, Arkansas) and moved to Texas shortly after the war where he eventually established a ranch near Killeen.  His partner was Ben Tillar of Drew county Arkansas, J. Thomas Tillar a relative of his partner, served in Company D of the 3rd Regiment.  As a resident of Texas, he was eligible for a veteran’s pension from that state however there is no record that Spencer Young ever made application for a Confederate pension.

Spencer Young died October 17, 1924 and is buried in Killeen, Texas.

For additional information including unit rosters, use this link 3rd Regiment Arkansas Infantry.