The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-08-14
SKETCH OF GENERAL LYON.


tecgrephc despatch received last evening announced
the death Of Brigader General Lyon, during
gagement with the rebels Springfield Missouri and
the news has been confirmed by despatch TO the War
Department from Major General Fremont General Lyon
has occupied quite prominent position before the public
in connection with the military movements in the West
for the suppression Of the nsurrecton and had for
himself no little praise for the energy he displayed while
at the head of the Union forces in that region.
Brgadier General Nathaniel Lyon born in Eastford,
Wndham county, Connecticut, in the month of July,
1878 He entered the West Point Military Academy July
l. 1887 and graduating four years afterwards standing
number eleven in his class appointed Second Leuten
ant in the Second United States infantry He served in
the latter part the Seminole war and with the rank Of
First Lieutenant accompanied his regiment to Mexico and
there shared in the gorcs dangers and operations of
General SCOTS career the famous brigade Lieutenant
Colonel Bennett Riley.
the battle of Cerro Gordo the company OF Lieutenant
Lyon the only that reached the crest of the hill
in time engage the Mexcans before their retreat and
Captain Morris (who commanded the regIment) thus
aludes incidentally to the conduct of tioutcxnt Lyon
No had the height become ours than the enemy
appeared large force the Jaapa roat, and
ordered To- hasten to that point Captain Candy with
small detachment, accompanied by Lieutenant Lyon
pressed hoty in their rear and possession
us reverse" AZ Contrevas Lieutenant lyon regiment
took most important part in resisting the onslaught
tho enemys cavalry, and his command held in
reserve the of the hollow square formed
resistance 10 the attack, did most signal service.
On the day succeeding the battle he himself at the head
of his men, followed in pursuit of the routed Moxicans
and succeeded in capturing quantity of their artillery
which he Immediately turned upon the flying enemy with
good execution At Cherubusco he also distinguished
himself and for his gaantry both actions received the
following recommendation in the regimenal returns OF his
commanding officer, Acting Colonel MorriS'I here take
the opportung OF recommending these officers fCap.
tains Casey and Wessck) together with Captain J.
Smith and First Lieutenant Lyon to the special notice
the Colonel commanding the brigade" The result his
appointment the rank Of Bevet Captain In the cap
ture Of the city Of Mexico, his position in the
attack at the De Belen gate, and in the crgascmo,h
he was wounded. After the Mexican war he princi
paly engaged with his regiment in arduous frontier
vice, receiving the rank Of full captain on the 18th Of
June 1851. In this service he comparatively los
sight of, but again made his appearance prominently
in early stages of the present war; by the capture
a band of rebels ut Camp Jackson, in Missouri for which
he was promoted to the rank Of Brigadier GensI.d
on the 18th Of May hst, and the 2Sth
or the month to the command Of the mill
tary Department Of the West In personal appearance
General Lyon about Eve feet eight inches in hcight
and wiry and muscular in build His hair long and
thick his whskcrs sandy and heavy, and his eyes OF
blueish gray. His forehead, high and broad, with
firm expression of his lips Indicated intellect of
binary capacity. He strict discplinarian endcarcd
his soldiers to himself to their fullest confidence, and in
camp was Familiarity known Daddy" In fact, Gene
raj Lyon both military and civil life, held in the
highest esteem by his country and in his death the
has lost able soldier and an upright citizen