Horatio Nelson Young
Encyclopedia
Horatio Nelson Young was a United States Navy sailor who received the Medal of Honor
for his actions on the USS Lehigh during the American Civil War
.
, a small United States
-British North America
border town. As a young man he lived in a place where crossing the bridge over the St. Croix River
to St. Stephen
, New Brunswick
for employment, shopping, hospitalization, or just visiting friends, was an almost daily part of normal life. The two close-knit communities have shared services for more than two hundred years.
Following the outbreak of the American Civil War
, Horatio Young traveled to Boston, Massachusetts where he joined the United States Navy
. On November 16, 1863, the 18-year-old boy was serving aboard the , when his ship ran aground in the Charleston, South Carolina
harbor. In rough waters, and under heavy enemy fire trying to stop him, Horatio Young made several attempts until he succeeded in passing in a small boat from his ship to the with a line wrapped on a hawser that would enable the Lehigh to be freed from her position.
His courageous action saved the lives of many men aboard the helpless ship and for his actions he received the Medal of Honor, the United States' highest military decoration.
Horatio Young died in 1913 and was interred in the St. Stephen Rural Cemetery
, in St. Stephen, New Brunswick, Canada surrounded by other Canadian and American honored war dead.
Citation:
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
for his actions on the USS Lehigh during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
.
Biography
Young was born in Calais, MaineCalais, Maine
Calais is a city in Washington County, Maine, United States. The city has three United States border crossings or also known as a Port of entry with the busiest being on the St. Croix River bordering St. Stephen, New Brunswick, Canada...
, a small United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
-British North America
British North America
British North America is a historical term. It consisted of the colonies and territories of the British Empire in continental North America after the end of the American Revolutionary War and the recognition of American independence in 1783.At the start of the Revolutionary War in 1775 the British...
border town. As a young man he lived in a place where crossing the bridge over the St. Croix River
St. Croix River (Maine-New Brunswick)
The St. Croix River is a river in northeastern North America, in length, that forms part of the Canada – United States border between Maine and New Brunswick . The river rises in the Chiputneticook Lakes and flows south and southeast, between Calais and St. Stephen...
to St. Stephen
St. Stephen, New Brunswick
St. Stephen is a Canadian town in Charlotte County, New Brunswick, situated on the east bank of the St. Croix River at .-Climate:...
, New Brunswick
New Brunswick
New Brunswick is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the only province in the federation that is constitutionally bilingual . The provincial capital is Fredericton and Saint John is the most populous city. Greater Moncton is the largest Census Metropolitan Area...
for employment, shopping, hospitalization, or just visiting friends, was an almost daily part of normal life. The two close-knit communities have shared services for more than two hundred years.
Following the outbreak of the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, Horatio Young traveled to Boston, Massachusetts where he joined the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
. On November 16, 1863, the 18-year-old boy was serving aboard the , when his ship ran aground in the Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
harbor. In rough waters, and under heavy enemy fire trying to stop him, Horatio Young made several attempts until he succeeded in passing in a small boat from his ship to the with a line wrapped on a hawser that would enable the Lehigh to be freed from her position.
His courageous action saved the lives of many men aboard the helpless ship and for his actions he received the Medal of Honor, the United States' highest military decoration.
Horatio Young died in 1913 and was interred in the St. Stephen Rural Cemetery
St. Stephen Rural Cemetery
St. Stephen Rural Cemetery is a municipal cemetery established in April 1856 at the town of St. Stephen, New Brunswick, Canada. The cemetery encompasses of land with approximately 12,000 burials. There are over 20 kilometres of avenues and paths.-History:...
, in St. Stephen, New Brunswick, Canada surrounded by other Canadian and American honored war dead.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Seaman, U.S. Navy. Born: July 19, 1845, Calais, Maine. G.O. No.: 32, April 16, 1864.Citation:
On board the U.S.S. Lehigh, Charleston Harbor, 16 November 1863, during the hazardous task of freeing the Lehigh, which had grounded, and was under heavy enemy fire from Fort Moultrie. After several previous attempts had been made, Young succeeded in passing in a small boat from the Lehigh to the Nahant with a line bent on a hawser. This courageous action while under severe enemy fire enabled the Lehigh to be freed from her helpless position.
See also
- List of American Civil War Medal of Honor recipients: T–Z