Every once in a while I write a story in this space where there’s something I have to leave out because I can’t source it well or just can’t find as much information as I want.

I let go of most of those without issue but one has stuck with me for a couple years – Robert Young.

It won’t come as a surprise that this young man has a Gettysburg connection.

But it’s a pleasant story – he was one of seven Warren County men from Co. F, 151st Pennsylvania Volunteers, that were killed in action or died of their wounds in the regiment’s only engagement at Gettysburg, July 1, 1863.

When I wrote about the company several years ago I could find next to nothing on Young. Don’t the men and women that make the ultimate sacrifice deserve to be remembered? I kept thinking there had to be more information out there about him.

It turned out, I was largely wrong.

He was one of four that is identified as killed in action on that day – Marquis Jaquay, James Green and Wilbur Kimball are the others.

I’ve walked where he died. I’m certain of that.

He’s likely an unknown in the Soldiers National Cemetery (which Lincoln dedicated with a short speech that has become the most important words a president has ever spoken). I’ve walked that cemetery. I’ve probably seen his grave without any idea of which one it is.

Bates’ History of the Pennsylvania Volunteers – which includes the rolls for each Pennsylvania regiment – says Young was a private and enlisted on Oc. 30, 1862. The 151st was a nine month regiment. They were mustered out at the end of July.

There’s just one line in Bates that says what happened to Young “Killed at Gettysburg, Pa., July 1, 1863.”

Young shows up in an Oct. 25, 1862 Warren Mail article in the Warren County Historical Society’s collection.

Young is one of three men identified as enlisting from Eldred Township.

That helped unlock a bit about his family.

1860 Census records show that he was born in 1838 and is one of six children still living in the home of his parents, Jacob and Margaret.

Those records say Jacob was a farmer and that he and his older brother, Joseph, were laborers, presumably on the farm since they were still living at home.

Other siblings included James (17), Silas (14), Wesley (13) and Emery (8).

Other records indicate he also had a sister, Louisa, two years older than he is. Louisa and her father – maybe others in the family – are buried at the Garland Presbyterian Cemetery.

From the Warren Mail article referenced earlier: “Another company of as fine looking and able bodied volunteers as we have yet seen left Warren Thur. A.M. last.

“Like other companies from Warren County, it will do valiant service on the field if it has the chance, for its members are all capable men, who are in earnest about winning the war. Many of its officers and men have left good businesses in order to offer their services, and their lives if necessary, on their country’s behalf.”

I wrote this story in part to see if it shakes loose any information about Young. But, presumably a bachelor when he was killed, my expectations are low.

Young is listed on the Pennsylvania Memorial on the Gettysburg Battlefield.

He has a star next to his name denoting his death in the famed struggle.

That small star and an unmarked grave in the national cemetery may be all that marks Young’s sacrifice.

But – in its simplicity – maybe that’s enough.