Dr. Robert Leeper Young Long
Robert Leeper Young Long was born 20 Aug 1818 in Marshall's Ferry Tennessee. Like all pioneer children he worked by day and studied by pine knot fire at night from home copied books handed down, for an education. At the age of fourteen years, his father moved to Carrollton ,Carroll County, Georgia, being the first white settler. He was second Clerk of Carroll County and served thirty-two years and was afterwards Judge. Robert's mother died when he was 6 months old. Mammy Betty took charge of him. After 10 years his father married Nancy Young Long.
On June 1st 1836, he enlisted in Captain W.S. Parr's Company in the Creek Indian War, and in 1837 was in the Seminole War in Florida as Captain of the Carroll Rangers Cavalry With one exception, he was the youngest of the company. He was mustered out May 13th 1838 by Maj. Churchill of the U.S. Army.
On June 13th 1839, he began to read medicine with Dr. A.B.Calhoun for one year. He then attended medical college at Charleston, S.C., and Tulane University, Louisiana, graduated from Transylvania College, Lexington, Kentucky, March 13th 1841. He located the same year at Greenville, Georgia where he remained one year. He then moved to Newnan, Georgia where he remained until 1844. He practiced in the country three years with Dr. Ira E. Smith. He went to Louisiana and practiced until 1848, then returning to Newnan. He married Martha Ann Powell October 23rd 1849. There were eight children blessed to this union. Edgar H., John D., James J., Eugene, Charles D., Helen M., Robert Long Young Jr., and Mary Ida Hill.
On June 11th 1861, he enlisted at Camp McDonald, near Big Shanty, in Company D., the Coweta Rangers of the Phillip's Legion Cavalry as First Lieutenant. In a short time he was elected Captain. He was in many hard fought battles. Williamsburg, Gettysburg and many others. At Williamsburg he witnessed 250 men capture 1100 men under Col. Campbell, the Captain riding the same horse 125 miles in 25 hours. His company was noted for bravery and called upon for all particular and dangerous work. He resigned his commission on April 26, 1864, citing his need to return home to care for his sick wife and his advancing age (45).
Dr. Long was a Democrat, a Royal Arch Mason, belonging to the council. He and his family were Baptists. He died 6 Oct 1898.
Source: Coweta County Chronicles by Jones and Reynolds /1928 (edited for accuracy by Kurt Graham)
Texans in the Civil War
The General Store
