The outbreak of the Spanish- American war found him a colonel of regulars; but soon after, May 4, 1898, he was promoted brigadier general of volunteers, and commanded the 3d brigade of Shafter's corps in Cuba. At Santiago his command was first to come in touch with the enemy and he was made a major-general of volunteers for gallantry at the battle of Las Guasimas. Before the more important action at San Juan, he was stricken down by fever; but he remained in command of the 2d army corps until the close of hostilities and the disbanding of the corps.
From July 24, 1899, to March 1, 1901, General Young was assigned to duty in the Philippines and as brigadier-general United States army, and after February 2, 1901, as major-general he commanded successively the 3d brigade, 1st division; provisional brigade, 1st division; cavalry brigade, 1st division, and separate brigade, 8th corps. He had the task of attempting to break up Aguinaldo's army in northern Luzon—fit work for iron men on account of the enemy's elusiveness, the deadliness of the climate and the enormous physical difficulties presented by a wild country in which the Filipino chieftain had made his retreat. His familiarity with Indian warfare, however, qualified him as an expert in rough campaigning, and his reports show that the jungle campaign in northern Luzon was one of unprecedented and most desperate hardship. The expedition was successful in scattering and disorganizing the enemy and led to beneficent military results. After returning from the Philippines, he commanded the Department of California until March 15, 1902, when he organized the War college and was detailed as president of the War College Board, at Washington, District of Columbia. He was made major-general of the United States army, February 2, 1901; lieutenant-general of the United States army, August 8, 1903; and general commanding the United States army, August 15, 1903, and was retired for age by operation of law, January 9, 1904.
