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Mr. Cockerham (or, Board, et al) - You seem to have spent much time pursuing a new facet of my research I have just begun regarding Brig Gen R.C. Tyler.
Tyler, Colonel of the 15th/37th TVI, was commanding Bate's Brigade at Missionary Ridge where/when he was wounded. Tyler was promoted to Brig Gen later in Feb of the following year and the brigade (Bate's) took Tyler's name a carried it thru the remainder of the war. However, Tyler's wound required amputation of a leg and he was therefore unfitted for duty in the regular army.
The story goes that he subsequently never rejoined the regular army, never saw or corresponded with his brigade again.
However, I now (2 weeks ago) find a letter (text below) that conflicts with that belief that comes from the period of history for the AOT... the little-documented timeframe between Nashville and their surrender in North Carolina.
Could you look this over and let me know what you think. What was Tyler doing in Carolina between Charleston and Sherman's army? Where could one find supporting documentation of his presence or function? He claims command of a division which certainly would be verifiable in some fashion but there is absolutely no on-hand info I can find yet to support or explain.
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In bivouac near Augusta, February, 1865
My dear Slatter:
Seated by a bivouac fire in the piney woods of South Carolina, the black smoke from a thousand lightwood fires ascending, the cold, bleak winds blowing heavily from the northwest, the division (which I am now commanding, Bates) being inspected by Brigade inspection commanders are my surroundings. The Army of Tennessee extends between here and Charleston, and en route to this and other points there has been some skirmishing at several points recently; results indefinite generally.
Wheeler fought the Twentieth Yankee Corps and some cavalry on Saturday and Sunday, repulsing them handsomely on both days. The fight was some fifteen miles from Augusta. I do not have any idea how long this (Cheatham’s) corps will be held here. The health of the troops is good; they need rest very much; discipline lax; reorganization wanted. System required a new vigor instilled, which nothing but rest and discipline can impart.
Yet the old Army of Tennessee is a grand organization; am proud to be a member of it, humble as it may be. It is composed primarily of veteran troops, battle-scarred heroes, bronze visaged, sturdy sinewed, iron willed, brave and self-sacrificing. They are a noble band. It will be glory enough when peace shall once again smile upon us with all her blessing for me to tell my friends that I was one of that army.
You have doubtless heard of certain brigades and divisions, of the part performed by them in the recent campaign into Tennessee, of the bravery of this and the bad conduct of that. Many reflections have been cast on (unnamed) Division, but from all accounts I am constrained to the belief that his division did as well as could reasonably be expected under the circumstances. In my own brigade, the Tennessee Consolidated Regiment, numbering about three hundred and fifty men, one hundred and eighty-five were captured while in line of battle (in front of Nashville) before they could retreat.
The propriety of taking the Negro as soldiers is being discussed more or less by the army; have not heard as yet sufficiently to form an opinions as to whether it be popular with the army, but am sure some prominent officers who were bitterly opposed to it eighteen months since are now advocates for the plan. One thing is certain: our army must be increased, the skulkers and deserters must be returned, and every exertion made by those who cannot come to send them forward.
My health continues good. Am suffering considerably from my limb, but am in hopes will be able to endure. How are all of the good people of Troup? My heart warms when I think of the many kindnesses received at their hands, and hope the day is not far distant when I may be permitted to visit them once again. My kindest wishes to all. Tender to your good lady my salutations, and believe me very truly.
Robert C. Tyler
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Any assistance / input / opinion / guidance or referral would be sincerely appreciated! - Thanks.
Could you look this over and let me know what you think. What was Tyler doing in Carolina between Charleston and Sherman's army? Where could one find supporting documentation of his presence or function? He claims command of a division which certainly would be verifiable in some fashion but there is absolutely no on-hand info I can find yet to support or explain.
Excellent find, sir. Augusta was on the border of Georgia and South Carolina, west of Columbia. Sherman made a feint towards it to hold its defenses while he made for Columbia. In early February, Sherman was still advancing on Columbia; in late Febrary he was on his way or in North Carolina. Battalion's links should fill in some more gaps.
Welcome home.
Ole
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
Joe and Sam, I'm a little lost here as you may have suspected for some time. In Sam's post it seems that Gen. Tyler was killed at West Point, Georgia which is on the Alabama line in the path that the AOT took moving east towards Georgia, South and North Carolina in January 1865. Yet, the letter states this person is camped near Augusta?? Are these the same guy?? I'm trying to write my book concerning the AOT after Tennessee, but as you have pointed out, material doesn't jump out of the drawer very often. Joe, I'll be most happy to send a copy of my file for your use if you will either post your e-mail address or do a private message if you prefer. I have notes tracking the army by calendar as much as possible. It is obvious that various regiments took different paths through Georgia and South Carolina before they mostly collected at Charlotte, NC to continue the journey via rail.
I'm curious to learn what you fellas know or suspect and to swap notes. Sam you can certainly have the file also if you wish.
My main interest has been in the 63rd Virginia, at this time part of Palmer's Brigade, so I'm not up to snuff on all the regiments. Fascinating period none the less.
I guess Robert C. Tyler knew his own name and was probably a creditable authority on his being alive? That suggests he survived West Point? Augusta was the site of a well defended (for a while) Confederate arsenal, the biggest gunpowder plant. It was on the path of the railroad leading from Milledgeville toward Columbia, South Carolina and must have seen considerable passing traffic from the AOT in 1865.
If Tyler was camped outside of Augusta in February and killed at West Point in April, does that preclude his being with Johnston in North Carolina? And, by April 18th, would Sherman have been in touch with Johnston? And therefore West Point was one of those places Sherman had agreed to leave alone pending surrender?
Guess I'm going to have to hit the books again.
Ole
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
Battalion,thanks for the Fort Tyler/cemetary input... but I'm from West Point, Ga, know the grave site well (actually Tyler's & Gonzales' 3rd grave site, not the original as noted in the MHQ article SamGrant provided... for which I am also grateful). I wrote much of the info on the Fort Tyler site and much of the other work includes my research on Tyler and West Point. ole, your input and that Larry has posted earlier from his research is exactly what I'm seeking in trying to get the picture of what was going on here. I hate to admit it but I've been researching this guy for nearly 20 years now but know nothing of this time/place.. I sincerely appreciate all of your input. Every little bit helps and often opens new doors.
Larry, the confusion you're experiencing comes from Tyler's death date which is April 16, '65, KIA in West Point by Wilson's Raiders... detachment led by B-G Oscar LaGrange thru West Point while Wilson hit Columbus Ga on same date.
J.B. Hood, probably at Bragg's insistance, had earlier placed Tyler in command at West Point to cover his (Atlanta's) back door as WP was a critical rail / river crossing and just about all of the supply coming into Atlanta from Al, Ms and Fl came through West Point. However, it has been generally believed that once in West Point, the poor one-legged old general did little else until killed. Records have been found though that show Tyler was involved in military (mostly militia) command activity in the Selma, Opelika, Blakely, and Tensas areas of Al, all west of West Point.
To find him back in the regular army and back in command (only 2 mos prior to his death) is indeed a curious surprise. I corresponded with Bruce Allardice who offers that it was possible that Tyler was filling in at division level for his long-time mentor, Wm. B. Bate, who during this period was medically unfitted due to wounds from the Tennessee campaign. But there is no / had never been any paper to document Tyler's involvement here. It's really exciting to find evidence that for his last year, he was not just a helpless invalid and that his appeals to Bragg for return to duty didn't fall on deaf ears.
I've just never spent any time looking at post-Tennessee / pre-surrender campaigning in the Carolinas. Never had a reason to. Even though Tyler's Brigade was there, Tyler wasn't. But now that this has come up I find myself painfully deficient so any input you can share in fitting this piece into the puzzle really helps jump-start progress. Best lead I've had in 10 years and I've got paralysis by analysis!
Only been here a day or two but this is by far the best WBTS board going. Everything else is overrun by geneologists and spammers. Y'all have a great forum and active participants here. Appreciate y'all letting me in the door and sharing your insight. Looking forward to more!
If Tyler was camped outside of Augusta in February and killed at West Point in April, does that preclude his being with Johnston in North Carolina? And, by April 18th, would Sherman have been in touch with Johnston? And therefore West Point was one of those places Sherman had agreed to leave alone pending surrender?
Guess I'm going to have to hit the books again.
Ole
Sherman's path took him well north and east of West Point (and Columbus), which probably led to the need to send Wilson's troops through the area after they took Selma and Montgomery.
I know from reading other contempory accounts that Tyler never knew of Lee's surrender and never anticipated Johnston's. It is certain that he was not present for the surrender of the AOT... just too much hard evidence to the contrary. This is all new. Nobody ever knew Tyler was even there. Still don't know when he got there and don't know when he returned to West Point though that can be narrowed down to between the time the letter was written and April 15th, '65 when accounts show Tyler in WP on day and evening prior to fight/death.
Accounts written by those who were captured at Fort Tyler (who were taken to Macon) all indicate they knew nothing of the surrender (Lee's ANV) until they were approaching the outskirts of Macon when they first heard the rumor of same (just days prior to Johnston's capitulation).
Oddly enough, there are several accounts by men from Wilson's troops that they had heard of Lee's surrender 1-2 days prior to the fight in West Point although Wilson or LaGrange did not acknowledge hearing of the surrender until after they'd arrived in Macon several days later.
Keith, my apology for my earlier post being woefully inadequate. That's why we keep Ole around; he pays attention. I was not watching the dates. By April 9 when Lincoln was shot the AOT was well into North Carolina. I actually believe my file might help because the dates have notes from actual records. Wilson moved south from Gravelly Springs, AL I believe on March 22 and the battle of Selma occurred April 2. That was only against Taylor and Forrest, however. The AOT was long gone. After Selma, the remnant of that small army headed toward Citronelle with Edward Hatch still in pursuit. West Point would have been somewhat of an "abandoned" site by April seems to me. All Confederate eyes in the western theater were on Sherman? I'll do some more reading, or as Ole says, 'time to hit the books'.
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