SAMUEL BALDWIN MARKS YOUNG
YOUNG, SAMUEL BALDWIN MARKS, lieutenant-general of the United States army, retired, has the unique experience of having served one week only as the general commanding the United States army. Under the new army law, he succeeded General Nelson A. Miles, as the first chief of staff of the United States army, after service for a single week with the highest military title, lieutenant-general—a rank held since the Civil war only by Grant, Sherman, Schofield, Miles and Young.
General Young was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, January 9, 1840, and was retired, by operation of law, on January 9, 1904. His first introduction to soldiering was during the Civil war, by enlistment as a private in company K, 12th Pennsylvania volunteer infantry, on April 25, 1861. He soon exchanged, however, to the 4th Pennsylvania cavalry, wherein he became captain, September 6, 1861; major, September 20, 1862; lieutenant-colonel, May 1, 1864; colonel, June 25, 1864, and brevet brigadier-general, April 9, 1865. Throughout the Civil war his promotions were given for individual achievements and for executive and military ability; and when he was mustered out from the volunteer service, July 1, 1865, the order noted especially his "gallant and meritorious service during the campaign terminating with the surrender of the insurgent army under General R. E. Lee."
He almost immediately entered the regular army as second lieutenant of the 12th United States infantry; and his subsequent service of more than thirty-five years has been marked by frequent promotions and many special commendations. Sixteen years of this time were spent on the Western frontier, where his troops met the hostile Apaches in a series of campaigns in the inhospitable wilds of Arizona, involving great toil and hardship. During this period he was promoted captain in the regular army, July 28, 1866; brevetted major, March 2, 1867; promoted major, April 2, 1883; lieutenant-colonel, August 16, 1892; colonel, June 19, 1897.
