Son of Dr. Robert Maxwell Young and Elizabeth Carolina Jones Young. His family moved to Bartow County, Georgia in 1839. Robert attended the local school and later graduated from the Georgia Military Academy. In 1848 he was appointed a Major in the Georgia Militia and commanded the 338th Battalion of Georgia Militia for Cass County, Georgia. He was a merchant before the War and considered by many a "well lettered and educated man." He faithfully wrote to his younger brother, Pierce M. Butler Young who was enrolled in the United States Military Academy at West Point. He encouraged, advised and admonished him to "bend you mind and body to schemes of glory and renown..." Evidently, these words were taken to heart as Pierce rose to the rank of Major General in the Army of Northern Virginia under Gen. Robert E. Lee and eventually commanded a division of cavalry. The family also contributed another son to the Southern Cause in brother George who was appointed an Assistant Surgeon with the 14th Georgia Infantry. Tragically, George died of Typhoid fever in September, 1861 while serving in Virginia.
Robert Married Josephine Florida Hill in Walton, County, Georgia in 1853 and they had a daughter, Ida. by 1858 they were sadly experiencing financial problems and he moved his family to Texas for a fresh start. By 1859 hey had resettled in Waco, McLenmore County, Texas where Robert was raising Cattle. He was commissioned a Captain in the 6th Texas Infantry on October 21, 1861 at Fort Herbert, Texas for "the war". On November 29, 1862 he was ordered to report to the 10th Texas infantry as Major and was later promoted to Lt. Colonel on September 12, 1862. He was wounded and captured with his command at Arkansas Post on January 11, 1863. While in Prison at Camp Chase, Ohio he suffered from an attack of fever. Later exchanged in 1863 at City Point, Virginia and recuperating in a local hospital there he was visited by his younger brother, Pierce. Pierce "was shocked at the emaciated, trembling man who met him, a living skeleton with clothes draped over him...". ( His image was taken while in Richmond immediately after his exchange. You can even see the bloodstains on his left sleeve from his wounding). He convalesced at his family plantation, Walnut Grove, near Cartersville, Georgia in April, 1863. He also suffered severe pain in his heart region and upon arriving, his family was heartbroken to find him "crushed, haggard, and spiritless.". He was tenderly nursed by to health by his sister and other family members until he was able to rejoin his regiment in early 1864. He was promoted to Colonel sometime in the fall of 1864.
By September, 1864 his regiment had participated in the bloody Atlanta Campaign ending with the captured of Atlanta. He was mentioned by his brigade commander, Brig. Gen. H. B. Granbury in his official report on these battles and was cited for his "gallantry" in battle. Robert was killed at Franklin while serving as General Granbury's Chief of Staff. General Granbury was also killed at Franklin. Robert and four of the six Confederate Generals who were killed outright at Franklin were tenderly placed beside each other on the back porch of John McGavock's mansion called "Carnton". Each had a Confederate Flag covering their bodies. This scene ultimately gave rise to the misconception that all five of the Generals killed outright at Franklin were laid side by side on the McGavock's porch. Actually, it was Colonel Young who was laying amidst Generals Cleburne, Adams, Strahl and Granbury. His friend, Chaplain Charles T. Quintard first had him buried in Rose Hill Cemetery, Columbia, Tennessee. A short time later they were taken up and reburied in the Saint Johns Church Cemetery at Ashwood, near Columbia, Tennessee. He was recommended for promotion to Brigadier General and had he survived he would have been promoted to command of Granbury's Brigade.
Sadly, as was true of may of the families of the South immediately after the war, Robert had left a widow and small daughter fighting for survival. Josephine Young, now a widow with a child to raise, far from family assistance, managed to provide for her self and child by teaching music. Her mother, Elizabeth R. Hill, upon learning of Col. Young death, left Georgia to go to live in Texas and help her daughter and granddaughter. Elizabeth was never to return to Georgia, but taught school and at one time they operated a private school. Still, times were rough, and as late as 1868 they were still "suffering a deplorable economic condition without friends and means of support. Their financial condition did not improve and in 1879 they were still desperately in need of a loan of $600.00 to save their land left to them by Robert. Yet, they were business women and did manage to hang onto some of their property. Josephine donated the land for the Baptist Church in Walnut Springs, Texas and later became Postmistress of that City. She also adopted a little girl named Jennie Elrod. There are still proud descendants of Colonel Young who Honor and Cherish their ancestors who sacrificed and lost so very much for their beliefs.
Robert Married Josephine Florida Hill in Walton, County, Georgia in 1853 and they had a daughter, Ida. by 1858 they were sadly experiencing financial problems and he moved his family to Texas for a fresh start. By 1859 hey had resettled in Waco, McLenmore County, Texas where Robert was raising Cattle. He was commissioned a Captain in the 6th Texas Infantry on October 21, 1861 at Fort Herbert, Texas for "the war". On November 29, 1862 he was ordered to report to the 10th Texas infantry as Major and was later promoted to Lt. Colonel on September 12, 1862. He was wounded and captured with his command at Arkansas Post on January 11, 1863. While in Prison at Camp Chase, Ohio he suffered from an attack of fever. Later exchanged in 1863 at City Point, Virginia and recuperating in a local hospital there he was visited by his younger brother, Pierce. Pierce "was shocked at the emaciated, trembling man who met him, a living skeleton with clothes draped over him...". ( His image was taken while in Richmond immediately after his exchange. You can even see the bloodstains on his left sleeve from his wounding). He convalesced at his family plantation, Walnut Grove, near Cartersville, Georgia in April, 1863. He also suffered severe pain in his heart region and upon arriving, his family was heartbroken to find him "crushed, haggard, and spiritless.". He was tenderly nursed by to health by his sister and other family members until he was able to rejoin his regiment in early 1864. He was promoted to Colonel sometime in the fall of 1864.
By September, 1864 his regiment had participated in the bloody Atlanta Campaign ending with the captured of Atlanta. He was mentioned by his brigade commander, Brig. Gen. H. B. Granbury in his official report on these battles and was cited for his "gallantry" in battle. Robert was killed at Franklin while serving as General Granbury's Chief of Staff. General Granbury was also killed at Franklin. Robert and four of the six Confederate Generals who were killed outright at Franklin were tenderly placed beside each other on the back porch of John McGavock's mansion called "Carnton". Each had a Confederate Flag covering their bodies. This scene ultimately gave rise to the misconception that all five of the Generals killed outright at Franklin were laid side by side on the McGavock's porch. Actually, it was Colonel Young who was laying amidst Generals Cleburne, Adams, Strahl and Granbury. His friend, Chaplain Charles T. Quintard first had him buried in Rose Hill Cemetery, Columbia, Tennessee. A short time later they were taken up and reburied in the Saint Johns Church Cemetery at Ashwood, near Columbia, Tennessee. He was recommended for promotion to Brigadier General and had he survived he would have been promoted to command of Granbury's Brigade.
Sadly, as was true of may of the families of the South immediately after the war, Robert had left a widow and small daughter fighting for survival. Josephine Young, now a widow with a child to raise, far from family assistance, managed to provide for her self and child by teaching music. Her mother, Elizabeth R. Hill, upon learning of Col. Young death, left Georgia to go to live in Texas and help her daughter and granddaughter. Elizabeth was never to return to Georgia, but taught school and at one time they operated a private school. Still, times were rough, and as late as 1868 they were still "suffering a deplorable economic condition without friends and means of support. Their financial condition did not improve and in 1879 they were still desperately in need of a loan of $600.00 to save their land left to them by Robert. Yet, they were business women and did manage to hang onto some of their property. Josephine donated the land for the Baptist Church in Walnut Springs, Texas and later became Postmistress of that City. She also adopted a little girl named Jennie Elrod. There are still proud descendants of Colonel Young who Honor and Cherish their ancestors who sacrificed and lost so very much for their beliefs.
Son of Dr. Robert Maxwell Young and Elizabeth Carolina Jones Young. His family moved to Bartow County, Georgia in 1839. Robert attended the local school and later graduated from the Georgia Military Academy. In 1848 he was appointed a Major in the Georgia Militia and commanded the 338th Battalion of Georgia Militia for Cass County, Georgia. He was a merchant before the War and considered by many a "well lettered and educated man." He faithfully wrote to his younger brother, Pierce M. Butler Young who was enrolled in the United States Military Academy at West Point. He encouraged, advised and admonished him to "bend you mind and body to schemes of glory and renown..." Evidently, these words were taken to heart as Pierce rose to the rank of Major General in the Army of Northern Virginia under Gen. Robert E. Lee and eventually commanded a division of cavalry. The family also contributed another son to the Southern Cause in brother George who was appointed an Assistant Surgeon with the 14th Georgia Infantry. Tragically, George died of Typhoid fever in September, 1861 while serving in Virginia.
Robert Married Josephine Florida Hill in Walton, County, Georgia in 1853 and they had a daughter, Ida. by 1858 they were sadly experiencing financial problems and he moved his family to Texas for a fresh start. By 1859 hey had resettled in Waco, McLenmore County, Texas where Robert was raising Cattle. He was commissioned a Captain in the 6th Texas Infantry on October 21, 1861 at Fort Herbert, Texas for "the war". On November 29, 1862 he was ordered to report to the 10th Texas infantry as Major and was later promoted to Lt. Colonel on September 12, 1862. He was wounded and captured with his command at Arkansas Post on January 11, 1863. While in Prison at Camp Chase, Ohio he suffered from an attack of fever. Later exchanged in 1863 at City Point, Virginia and recuperating in a local hospital there he was visited by his younger brother, Pierce. Pierce "was shocked at the emaciated, trembling man who met him, a living skeleton with clothes draped over him...". ( His image was taken while in Richmond immediately after his exchange. You can even see the bloodstains on his left sleeve from his wounding). He convalesced at his family plantation, Walnut Grove, near Cartersville, Georgia in April, 1863. He also suffered severe pain in his heart region and upon arriving, his family was heartbroken to find him "crushed, haggard, and spiritless.". He was tenderly nursed by to health by his sister and other family members until he was able to rejoin his regiment in early 1864. He was promoted to Colonel sometime in the fall of 1864.
By September, 1864 his regiment had participated in the bloody Atlanta Campaign ending with the captured of Atlanta. He was mentioned by his brigade commander, Brig. Gen. H. B. Granbury in his official report on these battles and was cited for his "gallantry" in battle. Robert was killed at Franklin while serving as General Granbury's Chief of Staff. General Granbury was also killed at Franklin. Robert and four of the six Confederate Generals who were killed outright at Franklin were tenderly placed beside each other on the back porch of John McGavock's mansion called "Carnton". Each had a Confederate Flag covering their bodies. This scene ultimately gave rise to the misconception that all five of the Generals killed outright at Franklin were laid side by side on the McGavock's porch. Actually, it was Colonel Young who was laying amidst Generals Cleburne, Adams, Strahl and Granbury. His friend, Chaplain Charles T. Quintard first had him buried in Rose Hill Cemetery, Columbia, Tennessee. A short time later they were taken up and reburied in the Saint Johns Church Cemetery at Ashwood, near Columbia, Tennessee. He was recommended for promotion to Brigadier General and had he survived he would have been promoted to command of Granbury's Brigade.
Sadly, as was true of may of the families of the South immediately after the war, Robert had left a widow and small daughter fighting for survival. Josephine Young, now a widow with a child to raise, far from family assistance, managed to provide for her self and child by teaching music. Her mother, Elizabeth R. Hill, upon learning of Col. Young death, left Georgia to go to live in Texas and help her daughter and granddaughter. Elizabeth was never to return to Georgia, but taught school and at one time they operated a private school. Still, times were rough, and as late as 1868 they were still "suffering a deplorable economic condition without friends and means of support. Their financial condition did not improve and in 1879 they were still desperately in need of a loan of $600.00 to save their land left to them by Robert. Yet, they were business women and did manage to hang onto some of their property. Josephine donated the land for the Baptist Church in Walnut Springs, Texas and later became Postmistress of that City. She also adopted a little girl named Jennie Elrod. There are still proud descendants of Colonel Young who Honor and Cherish their ancestors who sacrificed and lost so very much for their beliefs.
Robert Married Josephine Florida Hill in Walton, County, Georgia in 1853 and they had a daughter, Ida. by 1858 they were sadly experiencing financial problems and he moved his family to Texas for a fresh start. By 1859 hey had resettled in Waco, McLenmore County, Texas where Robert was raising Cattle. He was commissioned a Captain in the 6th Texas Infantry on October 21, 1861 at Fort Herbert, Texas for "the war". On November 29, 1862 he was ordered to report to the 10th Texas infantry as Major and was later promoted to Lt. Colonel on September 12, 1862. He was wounded and captured with his command at Arkansas Post on January 11, 1863. While in Prison at Camp Chase, Ohio he suffered from an attack of fever. Later exchanged in 1863 at City Point, Virginia and recuperating in a local hospital there he was visited by his younger brother, Pierce. Pierce "was shocked at the emaciated, trembling man who met him, a living skeleton with clothes draped over him...". ( His image was taken while in Richmond immediately after his exchange. You can even see the bloodstains on his left sleeve from his wounding). He convalesced at his family plantation, Walnut Grove, near Cartersville, Georgia in April, 1863. He also suffered severe pain in his heart region and upon arriving, his family was heartbroken to find him "crushed, haggard, and spiritless.". He was tenderly nursed by to health by his sister and other family members until he was able to rejoin his regiment in early 1864. He was promoted to Colonel sometime in the fall of 1864.
By September, 1864 his regiment had participated in the bloody Atlanta Campaign ending with the captured of Atlanta. He was mentioned by his brigade commander, Brig. Gen. H. B. Granbury in his official report on these battles and was cited for his "gallantry" in battle. Robert was killed at Franklin while serving as General Granbury's Chief of Staff. General Granbury was also killed at Franklin. Robert and four of the six Confederate Generals who were killed outright at Franklin were tenderly placed beside each other on the back porch of John McGavock's mansion called "Carnton". Each had a Confederate Flag covering their bodies. This scene ultimately gave rise to the misconception that all five of the Generals killed outright at Franklin were laid side by side on the McGavock's porch. Actually, it was Colonel Young who was laying amidst Generals Cleburne, Adams, Strahl and Granbury. His friend, Chaplain Charles T. Quintard first had him buried in Rose Hill Cemetery, Columbia, Tennessee. A short time later they were taken up and reburied in the Saint Johns Church Cemetery at Ashwood, near Columbia, Tennessee. He was recommended for promotion to Brigadier General and had he survived he would have been promoted to command of Granbury's Brigade.
Sadly, as was true of may of the families of the South immediately after the war, Robert had left a widow and small daughter fighting for survival. Josephine Young, now a widow with a child to raise, far from family assistance, managed to provide for her self and child by teaching music. Her mother, Elizabeth R. Hill, upon learning of Col. Young death, left Georgia to go to live in Texas and help her daughter and granddaughter. Elizabeth was never to return to Georgia, but taught school and at one time they operated a private school. Still, times were rough, and as late as 1868 they were still "suffering a deplorable economic condition without friends and means of support. Their financial condition did not improve and in 1879 they were still desperately in need of a loan of $600.00 to save their land left to them by Robert. Yet, they were business women and did manage to hang onto some of their property. Josephine donated the land for the Baptist Church in Walnut Springs, Texas and later became Postmistress of that City. She also adopted a little girl named Jennie Elrod. There are still proud descendants of Colonel Young who Honor and Cherish their ancestors who sacrificed and lost so very much for their beliefs.
Inscription
Col. Young of Texas killed at Franklin, Tennessee November 30, 1864. (Original Marker)
Gravesite Details
He has an original marker and a new Veterans Marker was installed atop his grave by the Franklin Memorial Association.
Family Members
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Records on Ancestry
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