Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-03-18
THE LAST HOURS OF A sOLs
DER BOY.
The Author OrAnthony and aCIe.
Opatran Dead on the Bat
field of Chiclamauga.
Cincinnati Enqulrer,l


field of Chickamauga.
Cincinnati Enquirer,l
Yesterday l met a distinguished
Confederate officer, at present visiting
the city, who was the FIRST man to find
General Lyle, the author of AN
thony and Cleopatra, after he had
received his death wound, and as the
story has been in print before, | took
special pains to get the story. My
informant is Colonel w. Miller Owen
of the famous Washington artillery
of New Orleans, one of the oldest
military organizations in America, and
which did valiant service throughout
the rebellion FIGHTING under the Bon
ME Blue Flag. In response to re-
quest for detailed statement of the
circumstances Of Lytle's death and
subsequent disposal Of the remains Of
this gallant soldier, Colonel Owen
said: "Yes, / was about the first one
to recognize General Lytle's body on
! the field at Chickamauga. / was then
serving as chief of staff to General w.
Buckner's corps, which consisted of
Generals Gracies, Trigg's and KelIy's
brigade--in all about 5000 troops.
ION the morning Of that day / was
pleased 10 meet my old commander
General Lonestreet, who had just
arrived from Virginia. Later in the
day | received orders to move our
division in order to make a pivot in
the direction of Missionary Ridge and
Rossville. had been left behind on
Chickamauga Greek, after our division
started in line of battle, 10 charge Of
two batteries OF artillery, stationed
there for the purpose OF observing the
enemy at Lee and Gordon's mill.
After sufficient time had elapsed,
and finding nothing in our front, |
mounted my horse for the purpose Of
reioining the division. On the way |
met a staff officer, Colonel Frank Will
liams, of Covington, Ky, who was
bearing dispatches to the rear. He
recognized me and told me that an
old friend of ours was lying dead up
yonJer in the woods.
"Who is it2' | asked.
"'Our old friend Bill Lyle.
Are you sure ofitY
as Yes, sure.
We'll, am very sorry to hear it,
az am sure it is Lytle, said Viii
liams, Tor / went to law school with
him in Cincinnati
Williams then designated the To-
cality in which the body lay, and put
ting spurs to my horse | galloped to
the place indicated, and there found
General Lyle dead--lying on his back
and a Confederate soldier standing
guard over his remains. From what
| was told afterward it appears that a
brigade of Alabama troops, under
command of General Deas. while ad-
vaneing, had struck Lytle's brigade.
The latter had thrown up intrench-
ments and made rough fort out Of
logs. These had been swept by
Deas's troops, driving Lytle's men
back. About this time Lyle was
struck, and his troops went on, leaving
their generals body to fall into our
hands lie was at once recognized by
our men as a general officer, aud Gen.
eral Deas, or some one of his staff, had
detailed this sentinel to stand guard
over his body.
when | rode up recoguiz d Lytle
at once. Dismounting, | asked the
soldier what were his Instructions
Strengthening himself up and clutch
ing his gun with frmer grasp, the
Confederate replied with grim deter
mination, and in the peculiar vernacu-
lar of the Southron: I'm yer to take
care of this body and not to allow any
one to touch it, aud I'm going to carry
out my orders, you bet.
"'All right, my man, | replied, |
hope you'll do il"
II then looked to see where Lyle
was struck. found that one ball
had hit his right instep, and another
had taken effect in his mouth, knock
| ing out several front teeth on the right
side, and coming out in the neck. |
was told afterward by prisoners taken
from his brigade that when killed
Lytle was on foot, smoking a cigar,
when his line was struck by ours. He
was dressed in fatigue uniform-a sack
coat-and his shoulder straps, one
star, denoted the rank of Brigsdier
General. He wore regulation
officers overcoat, and had IN pair Of
dark brown kid gloves.
while | was standing beside the
body, holding my horse by the bride,
General Preston rode up. Preston
had been separated from the com
mand while traversing the dense
woods, and as soon as he got to me he
asked me what | was doing, and where
the division was. | told him the
division was just ahead, but that | had
heard that the body Of an old friend
was lying here in the woods, and |
came TO see what | could do under
the circumstances.
"Who have you there?' asked Gen.
Preston.
General Lyle, Of Cincinnati" l
replied.
1.-THE General, with considerable
feeling, then said: What Is it the
son Of my old friend, Bob Lyle?
"'Yes, it's General Lyle, Of Gin
cinnati.
preston Immediately dismounted,
and said, while standing beside me
over the body: / am very sorry
very sorry that Lyle is dead.
He then asked the guard about
his instructions, and, receiving the
same reply that l had, said to him
See that you obey your orders, and be
true to your trust.
Preston and I then followed ouI
division, and at 400 o'clock that
afternoon we charged up Missionary
Ridge against the force under Genera
Thomas, who then held his last strong