Young's Scouts
Encyclopedia
Young's Scouts was a select group of United States Army
soldiers during the Philippine-American War
organized under a Vermont
civilian named William H. Young. Because of his previous experience as a soldier and soldier of fortune and his demonstrated coolness under fire, Young came to the notice of General Henry W. Lawton
, who hired Young as his Chief Scout during Lawton's Northern Campaign. Young's Scouts acted as an advance guard and engaged in search and destroy missions. The exploits and valor of Young's Scouts soon brought them to the attention of the American public.
Members of Young's Scouts came from several units in Lawton's command, including the 1st North Dakota Volunteers, the 2nd Oregon Volunteers, and the 4th U.S. Cavalry (dismounted). Although the original unit was composed of 25 men, Scouts came and went as casualties and sickness took their toll. In two different engagements a number of Scouts were recommended for the Medal of Honor
, which at the time was the only Army award for valor. On May 14, 1899, William Young was wounded in the knee in an engagement at San Miguel de Mayumo
with what was described as a minor wound. He was conveyed to the 1st Reserve Hospital in Manila
with a request by Lawton that he receive the best of care. Ironically, although the initial assessment of Young's wound was that he would probably end up with nothing more serious than a stiff knee, he died a few days later, presumably of tetanus
.
Young's Scouts continued to operate under several different officers for the remainder of Lawton's Northern Campaign.
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
soldiers during the Philippine-American War
Philippine-American War
The Philippine–American War, also known as the Philippine War of Independence or the Philippine Insurrection , was an armed conflict between a group of Filipino revolutionaries and the United States which arose from the struggle of the First Philippine Republic to gain independence following...
organized under a Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
civilian named William H. Young. Because of his previous experience as a soldier and soldier of fortune and his demonstrated coolness under fire, Young came to the notice of General Henry W. Lawton
Henry Ware Lawton
Henry Ware Lawton was a highly respected U.S. Army officer who served with distinction in the Civil War, the Apache Wars, the Spanish-American War and was the only U.S. general officer to be killed during the Philippine-American War...
, who hired Young as his Chief Scout during Lawton's Northern Campaign. Young's Scouts acted as an advance guard and engaged in search and destroy missions. The exploits and valor of Young's Scouts soon brought them to the attention of the American public.
Members of Young's Scouts came from several units in Lawton's command, including the 1st North Dakota Volunteers, the 2nd Oregon Volunteers, and the 4th U.S. Cavalry (dismounted). Although the original unit was composed of 25 men, Scouts came and went as casualties and sickness took their toll. In two different engagements a number of Scouts were recommended for the Medal of Honor
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...
, which at the time was the only Army award for valor. On May 14, 1899, William Young was wounded in the knee in an engagement at San Miguel de Mayumo
San Miguel, Bulacan
San Miguel de Mayumo is a 1st class, partially urban municipality located in the 3rd district of the province of Bulacan, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 138,839 people.-History:...
with what was described as a minor wound. He was conveyed to the 1st Reserve Hospital in Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
with a request by Lawton that he receive the best of care. Ironically, although the initial assessment of Young's wound was that he would probably end up with nothing more serious than a stiff knee, he died a few days later, presumably of tetanus
Tetanus
Tetanus is a medical condition characterized by a prolonged contraction of skeletal muscle fibers. The primary symptoms are caused by tetanospasmin, a neurotoxin produced by the Gram-positive, rod-shaped, obligate anaerobic bacterium Clostridium tetani...
.
Young's Scouts continued to operate under several different officers for the remainder of Lawton's Northern Campaign.
Medal of Honor recipients
- Captain William Edward BirkhimerWilliam E. BirkhimerWilliam Edward Birkhimer was an United States Army Brigadier General and lawyer received the Medal of Honor while a Captain during the Philippine-American War...
(commander). Birkhimer later retired as a Brigadier GeneralBrigadier GeneralBrigadier general is a senior rank in the armed forces. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000... - CorporalCorporalCorporal is a rank in use in some form by most militaries and by some police forces or other uniformed organizations. It is usually equivalent to NATO Rank Code OR-4....
Frank L. AndersFrank L. AndersFrank LaFayette Anders was a United States Army soldier received the Medal of Honor for actions during the Philippine-American War...
who later became a geologistGeologistA geologist is a scientist who studies the solid and liquid matter that constitutes the Earth as well as the processes and history that has shaped it. Geologists usually engage in studying geology. Geologists, studying more of an applied science than a theoretical one, must approach Geology using...
and historian - PrivatePrivate (rank)A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank .In modern military parlance, 'Private' is shortened to 'Pte' in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries and to 'Pvt.' in the United States.Notably both Sir Fitzroy MacLean and Enoch Powell are examples of, rare, rapid career...
Otto BoehlerOtto BoehlerOtto A. Boehler was a United States Army private who received the Medal of Honor for actions during the Philippine–American War.-Biography:Otto Boehler was born October 15, 1873 in Germany.... - Private Charles P. DavisCharles P. DavisCharles P. Davis was a United States Army soldier received the Medal of Honor for actions during the Philippine–American War on May 16, 1899 with 29 other members of Young's Scout...
- Private Willis H. DownsWillis H. DownsWillis H. Downs was a United States Army private who earned the Medal of Honor during the Philippine–American War. He later obtained the rank of Wagoner. Wagoner Downs is buried in the Highland Home Cemetery in Jamestown, North Dakota...
, later WagonerWagonerWagoner as a surname may refer to:* David Wagoner , American poet* Kenneth S. Wagoner , American professor and physiological skin scientist* Mark Wagoner , American politician, in Ohio... - Private Sterling Archibald GaltSterling A. GaltSterling Archibald Galt was a United States Army artificer received the Medal of Honor for actions on November 9, 1899 during the Philippine-American War. He later obtained the rank of Sergeant Major...
- Private Frank Charles HighFrank C. HighFrank Charles High was a United States Army soldier received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Philippine-American War. High was one of thirteen members of Young's Scouts awarded the Medal of Honor for actions between May 13 and May 16, 1899.High was born in Yolo County, California,...
- Private Gotfred JensenGotfred JensenGotfred Jensen was a United States Army soldier who received the Medal of Honor for actions during the Philippine-American War. He was a member of Young's Scouts and was one of thirteen Scouts awarded the Medal between 16 and May 19, 1899...
, later SergeantSergeantSergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent.... - Private John Baxter KinneJohn Baxter KinneJohn Baxter Kinne was a United States Army soldier received the Medal of Honor for actions during the Philippine-American War. He was among six men awarded the Medal for actions on May 16, 1899. His medal was awarded by President Theodore Roosevelt on May 17, 1906.-Biography:John Kinne was born in...
- Private Richard Moses LongfellowRichard M. LongfellowRichard Moses Longfellow was a United States Army Private received the Medal of Honor for actions on May 16, 1899. Private Longfellow was part of Young's Scouts.He is buried at Normal Hill Cemetery Lewiston, Idaho...
- Private Edward Eugene LyonEdward E. LyonEdward Eugene Lyon was a United States Army private received the Medal of Honor for actions on May 13, 1899 during the Philippine–American War. Private Lyon was part of the Young's Scouts, 2nd Oregon Volunteer Regiment...
- Private Peter H. QuinnPeter H. QuinnPeter H. Quinn was a United States Army soldier received the Medal of Honor for actions on May 13, 1899 during the Philippine-American War. Private Quinn is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.-Medal of Honor citation:...
- Private Marcus William Robertson
- Private Frank F. Ross
- Corporal Thomas SlettelandThomas SlettelandThomas Sletteland was an Private in the United States Army and a Medal of Honor recipient for his actions in the Philippine-American War.He is buried in North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan, North Dakota. His grave can be found at GPS : 46.751, -100.85053.-Medal of Honor citation:Rank and...