Confederate general James Dearing was born in 1840. He was commissioned brigadier general on 29 April 1864. Young was promoted to brigadier general on 28 September 1863. Though Young was promoted before Dearing, Dearing was younger when receiving his promotion. The story I have been told is that Lee carried Dearing's promotion to major general in his pocket when the army surrendered at Appomattox. This would have made Dearing the highest ranking general for his age. Maybe Young could hold that distinction since he did receive his "temporary" major general status on 30 December 1864. These dates are from "Generals in Grey" by Ezra J. Warner, LSU Press. Stan, I guess we might need Darryl Starnes' input on this one. ;-)

Keith