The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-11-21
ARTHUR p. LYON.
Death of the Bravest Soldier In the 10Th Pa. Cav,

Death or the BraTest soldier in Inc 10Th ia, Caf'
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: In your issue
Of Oct. II, one of your correspondents speaks of
the grave of Arthur Z. Lyon, in the Port Henry
On. y Cemetery, and as a tribute to the memory
of one of the bravest men in the 18th Pa. Cav.
! send short sketch of him and of his death
at the hands of the rebel Gen. Lyon.
There was no one who served In an old reRi-
ment during the last two years of the war that
did not know Pat" Lyon. Not that his real
name was Pat, but that of Arthur, by which he
was known on our rolls, did not seem TO fit the
peculiar qualities that our brave leader of the
advance" possessed. Short in stature, thick
set. with a round head and freckled face; one
of the poorest of camp soldiers, but in the pres
enee of the enemy endowed with that peculiar
courage that knew no fear, and while careless
Of personal danger, looked well after the safety
of the little squads that were put in his charge.
His strong qualities were dash and an unerr-
ing aim with the revolver. Ii got TO be COM
mon thing, when the regiment was scouting in
the rebel country, to see the advance start off
on a run; then the whole regiment would take
up the gallop. Soon shots would be heard from
the front, aud before long we would come to
some dead Johnny lying in the road, put there
by Pats revolver. Up to the time OF his death,
in January, 1865, he had killed II rebels, TO
which no one else conld lay claim, aud all of
them in charging with his advance guard.
gagements he did not count.
But Arthur Z. Lyon at last met his death at
the hands Of the rebel Gen. Lyon. Had he
obeyed orders, il would not have happened, but
Pat had captured Colonies. Majors, Captains,
Lieutenants and any quantity OF privates, and
bis ambition was TO get General. Another
Sergeant Of ours had captured Gen. Vance and
Pat was not going 20 let little thing like an
order prevent him from capturing Gen. Lyon.
Before Col. Palmer attacked the rebel bril-
gade at Red Hill, Ala. be took the utmost pains
and gave the most explicit instructions 90
make the attack success To Lyon, with an
advance, was given the task OF ing the
regiment that was encamped around the house
where Gen. Lyon had bis headquarters. while
Serg't Anderson was instructed to dash into
the house and get the General. IL was just
before daylight, very dark aud awfuily cold.
The advance came on the rebel force from the
rear and no pickets announced their approach.
Lyon led his command at slow trot through
the rebel camps, and when asked who he was re-
piled that he had just got in. When he reached
the house where the General slept he hastily
dismounted, entered the yard, stepping over
some Of the sleeping rebels aud touching others
that were already mp. He passed into the house,
opened the first door TO the right went up to
the bed and awoke Gen. Lyon, demanding his
surrender. Those in the advance nearest the
door saw the General come out 10 the little
porch in front, dressed only in shirt. with
Pat st his heels with ready revolver In hand
There was no firing yet; our men ranged
along the outer fence, and the rebels were just
awakening TO the fact that something was
about TO occur. Gen. Lyon turned around 10
our Lyon, and those nearest heard him say:
We'll, I'm your prisoner; but it's very cold
here. Won't you let me go back snd get on
the rest Of my ciothes7"
Pat said "All right" and followed the GEN
eral into the house, who as soon as he entered
the room, picked up pistol, turned and shot
Lyon through the head, killing him instantly.
Gen. Lyon now ran TO window and called 10
his men that the Yankees were on them, and
to open fire; but il wasn't their day for fight
ing, and they soon left. abandoning horses and
everything else that they would have TO stop
and pick up. Just as day broke our regiment
reassembled, and 1t was found we had one
/ piece Of artillery, more horses than we knew
what 10 do WITH and 10 prisoners, while our
Own force was only l02 men in all.
How will that do for before break fast
afair2-C. III. kirk, Philadelphia, Pa.
---------------