William Haines Lytle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Haines Lytle
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William Haines Lytle
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| Born | November 2, 1826 Cincinnati, Ohio |
| Died | September 20, 1863 (aged 36) Chickamauga, Georgia |
| Place of burial |
Spring Grove Cemetery, Cincinnati, Ohio
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| Allegiance | United States of America Union |
| Service/ |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1846–1848; 1861–1863 |
| Rank |  Brigadier General |
| Commands held | 10th Ohio Infantry |
| Battles/wars | Mexican–American War American Civil War |
William Haines Lytle (born November 2, 1826 – died September 20, 1863) was an important person from Ohio. He was a well-known poet and a brave military officer. He served in the United States Army during two major conflicts: the Mexican–American War and the American Civil War. Sadly, he was killed in action during the Civil War while serving as a brigadier general.
Contents
William Lytle's Early Life and Career
William Lytle was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. His family was very well-known in the area. He went to Cincinnati College and then studied law. After he became a lawyer, he started his own law firm in Cincinnati.
Serving in the Mexican-American War
Soon after starting his law firm, Lytle joined the army. He became a captain in the 2nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He fought in the Mexican–American War. After the war, he returned home and continued his law practice.
Becoming a Politician and Poet
Lytle was elected to the Ohio state legislature as a Democrat. He tried to become Lieutenant Governor in 1857 but lost by only a few votes.
Before the Civil War, Lytle was a famous American poet. His most popular poem was "Antony and Cleopatra," published in 1857. People from both the North and the South loved this poem. Lytle was also made a major general in Ohio's state militia. In 1860, he tried to get nominated for a seat in the United States House of Representatives but was not successful. He also helped Stephen A. Douglas in his campaign for president in 1860.
Lytle's Role in the Civil War
When the Civil War began in 1861, William Lytle used his connections to join the army. He became a colonel in the 10th Ohio Infantry.
Fighting in Western Virginia
Lytle and his group were sent to western Virginia (which is now West Virginia). They fought in many small battles there. These fights helped force Confederate soldiers out of the region. This also helped pave the way for West Virginia to become a state.
Wounds and Promotions
Lytle was put in charge of a brigade of soldiers. He was badly wounded in his left leg during a fight at Carnifex Ferry on September 10, 1861. He had to go home to recover for four months.
After he recovered, Lytle was put in charge of a military training camp in Bardstown, Kentucky. He soon returned to active duty, leading a brigade in Major General Ormsby M. Mitchel's division. He helped Mitchel's operations along the Memphis and Chattanooga Railroad.
Lytle was wounded again and captured at the Battle of Perryville in Kentucky on October 8, 1862. However, he was soon exchanged and returned to the army. On November 29, Lytle was promoted to brigadier general. He led his brigade in many battles under General William S. Rosecrans. In September 1863, officers from his old 10th Ohio Infantry unit gave him a special jeweled Maltese cross. This was just eleven days before he died.
Death at Chickamauga
William Lytle was fatally wounded at the Battle of Chickamauga in Georgia. He was leading a counterattack on horseback when he was hit. When Confederate soldiers realized who he was, they guarded his body. Many of them even recited his poetry around their campfires that evening. The hill where he died is now called "Lytle Hill" in the Chickamauga National Military Park.
Funeral and Burial
Lytle's funeral was held at Christ Church in Cincinnati. So many people came to honor him that the funeral procession took a long time to reach Spring Grove Cemetery. Lytle's monument at the cemetery is very impressive and is located near the entrance.
Lytle's Lasting Legacy
William Lytle never married and did not have any children.
Places Named After Lytle
- Fort Lytle: Fort Vinegar in Bowling Green was renamed Fort Lytle after his death. It is now on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Lytle Park: Lytle Park in Cincinnati is named for him or his family.
- One Lytle Place: A building in Cincinnati called One Lytle Place is also named after him.
- Lytle Street: A street in Chicago (1235 west) is named Lytle Street.
Who Shot General Lytle?
The person who shot General Lytle was never officially found. It is known that the shooter was a Confederate sniper. This sniper used a Whitworth .45 caliber percussion rifle.
However, according to stories told by The Daughters of The Confederacy, the shooter was Hillary Garrison Waldrep. He was from Company B of the 16th Alabama Regiment of Infantry. To make the shot, which was supposedly approved by General Bragg himself, Waldrep had to adjust his rifle's sights for a very long distance. The story says that after General Lytle fell, his horse ran towards the Confederate soldiers. General Bragg then gave Lytle's horse, bed-roll, and equipment to Hillary Garrison Waldrep. Waldrep later sold the horse for $100.
Antony and Cleopatra
Here is William Lytle's most famous poem, written in 1858:
I am dying, Egypt, dying! Ebbs the crimson life-tide fast, And the dark Plutonian shadows Gather on the evening blast; Let thine arm, oh Queen, enfold me, Hush thy sobs and bow thine ear, Listen to the great heart secrets Thou, and thou alone, must hear.
Though my scarred and veteran legions Bear their eagles high no more, And my wrecked and scattered galleys Strew dark Actium's fatal shore; Though no glittering guards surround me, Prompt to do their master's will, I must perish like a Roman, Die the great Triumvir still.
Let not Caesar's servile minions, Mock the lion thus laid low; 'Twas no foeman's arm that felled him, 'Twas his own that struck the blow — His who, pillowed on thy bosom, Turned aside from glory's ray — His who, drunk with thy caresses, Madly threw a world away.
Should the base plebeian rabble Dare assail my name at Rome, Where the noble spouse, Octavia, Weeps within her widowed home, Seek her; say the gods bear witness, — Altars, augurs, circling wings, — That her blood, with mine commingled, Yet shall mount the thrones of kings.
And for thee, star-eyed Egyptian — Glorious sorceress of the Nile! Light the path to Stygian horrors With the splendors of thy smile; Give the Caesar crowns and arches, Let his brow the laurel twine, I can scorn the senate's triumphs, Triumphing in love like thine.
I am dying, Egypt, dying; Hark! the insulting foeman's cry; They are coming; quick, my falchion! Let me front them ere I die. Ah, no more amid the battle Shall my heart exulting swell; Isis and Osiris guard thee, — Cleopatra, Rome, farewell!
