Enlisted on 21 August 1863 at Chenango, Broome County, New York at 27 years of age; mustered in on 3 September 1862, Company E, 137th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment as a Private; wounded in action during the battle of Gettysburg, Adams County, Pennsylvania on 2 July 1863; mustered out with disability on 13 August 1863.

"Case 18. — Private J. W. Young, Co. E, 137th New York, aged 27 years, was wounded at Gettysburg, July 2, 1863, and admitted to Harewood Hospital, Washington, three weeks afterward. Acting Assistant Surgeon T. H. Elliott reported: "Gunshot wound of right leg. Ball entered through upper portion of gastrocnemius muscle and emerged near the head of the fibula. The foot, immediately after the injury, dropped to full extension; all of the muscles of the leg paralyzed from division of nerves; flexors of thigh contracted, causing the heel to be raised from the floor three inches in the erect posture. Patient is unable to bear any weight on the limb. August 6th, wound unhealed; paralysis of extensor muscles complete. Patient discharged from service August 10, 1863." Examiner J. G. Orton, of Binghamton, New York, September 15, 1866, certified: "The power of flexion of the foot upon the leg is impossible in consequence of injury to flexor muscles; walking is performed with much difficulty and not without assistance." On February 29, 1876, he reported : * * "The power of flexion of the foot is entirely gone. It is at present almost worthless, the foot being swollen, and drags when he walks; he cannot walk without assistance." The pensioner was paid March 4, 1876." -- The Medical and Surgical History of the War of the Rebellion. Part III, Volume II. (3rd Surgical volume) by U. S. Army Surgeon General's Office, 1883.