Charles L. Pyron facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charles Lynn Pyron
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| Born | 1819 Marion County, Alabama |
| Died | August 24, 1869 (aged 49/50) San Antonio, Texas |
| Allegiance |  United States of America Confederate States of America |
| Service/ |
 United States Army Confederate States Army |
| Years of service | 1846 (USA) 1861–65 (CSA) |
| Rank |  Colonel |
| Commands held |  Second Texas Mounted Rifles |
| Battles/wars | Mexican–American War American Civil War |
Charles Lynn Pyron (1819–1869) was an American soldier. He fought in two important wars: the Mexican–American War and the American Civil War. During the Mexican-American War, he was part of the United States Army. Later, in the Civil War, he became an officer in the Confederate Army. He took part in battles like Monterrey, Valverde, and Glorieta Pass.
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Life and Military Service
Charles Lynn Pyron was born in 1819 in Marion County, Alabama. His father was also named Charles Pyron.
Serving in the Mexican-American War
Pyron joined the United States Army and fought in the Mexican–American War. This war took place from 1846 to 1848. After the war, Pyron bought a ranch in Texas near the San Antonio River. He also got married in 1849.
Fighting in the American Civil War
When the American Civil War began in 1861, Pyron joined the Confederate Army. He helped form a group of cavalry (soldiers on horseback) in San Antonio. This group became Company B of the Second Texas Mounted Rifles. They were stationed at places like Fort Lancaster and Fort Stockton.
The New Mexico Campaign
Pyron played a role in the New Mexico Campaign. This was a plan by Confederate Brigadier General Henry Hopkins Sibley. The goal was to invade New Mexico and Colorado. The Confederates hoped to capture important areas in the Southwest, including gold fields and California.
As a major in the Confederate Army, Pyron led a group of 200 to 300 Texans in March 1862. They advanced towards Glorieta Pass. This pass was a very important spot on the Santa Fe Trail. It was located in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains near Santa Fe.
Controlling Glorieta Pass would have allowed the Confederates to move onto the Great Plains. From there, they could attack Fort Union. Fort Union was a strong Union Army base along the invasion route. After some smaller fights, Union forces made the Confederates retreat from the pass.
Promotions and Later Life
After the New Mexico Campaign, Pyron was promoted. He became a lieutenant colonel. He was then given command of the Second Texas Mounted Rifles. This unit was renamed as the Second or Pyron's Texas Cavalry. Later, he was promoted again to colonel.
After the Civil War ended in 1865, Charles Pyron returned to his ranch. He lived in San Antonio, Texas. He passed away on August 24, 1869.
